I really have to upgrade my brain’s internal storage space.

I’m just partially kidding: As being a hard generate, I’m confident my mind reached optimum capacity at some time during the past decade. The only method I could remember anything these complete days is by producing and sustaining a million notes, both digital and physical. (My partner can confirm this: “I told you a week ago” can be an all-too-common expression ’round these parts.)

I’m still looking forward to Western Digital to start out promoting SSD implants for the noggin, however in the meantime, Google Keep is becoming my repository for information of the non-sticky variety. I love it because it’s simple to use yet packed with features that produce my life easier upon both a specialist and an individual level. Plus, it functions aswell on my desktop computer Chromebook or computer since it will on my Android telephone — and I could seamlessly move in one device to another and understand all my notes will be synced, present, and accessible wherever I want ’em.

If you, too, on Google Maintain supplement your gray issue rely, have a look at these practical ideas to make certain you’re tapping into all of the ways its Android app may become your memory extension. It really is hoped by me will go without saying, but feel absolve to jot down notes across the real way.

(An instant side note, incidentally: My editor, who utilizes an iPhone (gasp!), says each one of these tips work quite similar in the Keep application for iOS pretty. Several menu choices will vary slightly, but it ought to be easy enough to find things out if you or anyone you understand prefers that design of device.)

Part I: Corporation

1. Label yourself arranged

Exactly like Gmail, Keep depends on labels than folders or even notebooks to create your memos manageable instead. You can include a label to an email by tapping the three-dot menus icon in the lower-right part of the app’s modifying display and selecting “Labels” — or by touching and keeping a note in the primary list view and tapping the label icon in the upper-right part of this screen. (It is possible to select multiple notes simultaneously, too: Just contact and hold any notice until it becomes outlined, tap any notes to include them in to the mix then.)

Faster yet, it is possible to type a label right into a note by prefacing it with a hashtag &mdash directly; “#Personal,” “#Web Tasks,” or “#Business Concepts,” for example. Maintain will pop up ideas for current labels as as you start typing quickly, and once you’ve chosen the label you need, it is possible to leave your hashtag textual content in the note or even erase it either.

JR Raphael/IDG
The Keep app will suggest labels as as you type a hashtag &mdash soon; and once you’ve chosen a label, you will see it beneath your textual content.

2. Get colorful

Along with labels, Keep enables you to organize notes by colour. Maybe all your work-related information are green as well as your personal information are blue — or urgent notes are reddish while all others are usually gray maybe. You can develop a variety of systems to help make the colors helpful either by themselves or with the regular text labels.

To improve a note’s colour, tap the three-dot menus icon in the lower-right part of the editing display screen and touch whatever colour you need to apply. From the primary list view, you can even select any take note (or mix of notes) and tap the palette icon in the upper-right section of that screen.

3. Place a pin in it

Keep your most significant notes easily accessible simply by embracing Keep’s pin perform: Simply tap the pushpin icon within the upper-right part while editing an email or after choosing it in your primary note list. That notice will appear in a particular “Pinned” section most importantly your other information so it is never out of get to. (To unpin an email at any time, tap its pushpin icon again simply.)

4. Archive aggressively

Whenever a note no requirements your immediate attention, get it from your main note checklist by swiping it toward the left or the proper from that look at — or by tapping the archive icon (a folder with a down-pointing arrow onto it) in the upper-ideal corner as long as you’re editing it. Whichever method it is carried out by you, that’ll archive the take note — and like in Gmail just, it’ll then remain easy to get at via research or browsing but won’t command prime property and clutter upward your “inbox.”

5. Search such as a pro

Talking about search, Keep’s search functionality can do greater than just search for basic textual content. Tap the search container near the top of the app’s main display and scroll down a little. Among other things, you will see equipment for filtering your information to show only people that have reminders, lists, images, or URLs attached along with only notes assigned in order to a specific label or color.
JR Raphael/IDG
Keep’s search functionality has ample choices for filtering your information to assist you find the thing you need.

You can also flick through your notes by label by tapping the three-series menu icon in the app’s upper-left corner and selecting whichever label you wish to view.

6. Verify the trash

Create a mental note: Should anyone ever can’t look for a recent note, have a peek within Keep’s Trash section in order to see if it could have gotten deleted unintentionally. Simply tap the three-line menus icon in the app’s upper-left part and then choose Trash from the panel that seems.

That’ll enable you to see every deleted note from days gone by a week and optionally restore almost everything into active position, if you are so inclined. You can even empty your trash manually as long as you’re there, in the event you actually delete something delicate and want to make certain it’s completely gone.

7. Be sure you set reminders

One of Keep’s most effective features is the native integration with Google’s cross-platform reminder program. If you want to remember to check out a be aware at a specific time or even location — like your house, your office, an airport terminal, or the grocery — simply tap the bell icon in the upper-right part of the note-editing display screen.

That’ll permit you to collection whatever condition you need for once the note should pop-up as the notification on your own phone. The reminder may also come in Google Calendar in addition to in the “Up-dates” tab of the Google Android app (and therefore also in the Search engines panel that lives left of the primary home screen on specific Android devices). In every of these accepted places, you’ll see your Maintain reminder grouped as well as reminders fixed from the Search engines app, the Search engines Calendar site and app, any Google Home devices, and any kind of Google search prompts.

8. Discover your reminders

Can’t remember what reminders you have got pending? Just what a predicament! The simple remedy: Tap the three-line menus icon in Keep’s upper-left corner and choose “Reminders.” There, you will see a listing of every notice to which you’ve connected a reminder and specifically when or where it’s arranged to alert you. You can also see notes that reminders were currently sent but in no way marked as “done.”

Component II: Note-taking

9. Collect your spoken ideas

Take a take note on the run by talking it into Maintain and letting the application transcribe your phrases. You can begin recording in another of 3 ways: tap the microphone icon in Keep’s bottom part toolbar, tap the plus icon in the lower-left corner and go for “Recording” while editing an email, or tap the microphone icon in Keep’s home screen widget. Then, yammer away just. If you are finished, Keep will location its transcription in your body of the be aware and in addition attach an sound recording of one’s voice for good gauge (and/or mortification — yes, that basically is what you appear to be).
JR Raphael/IDG
Once you record a tone of voice memo, Keep offers you each a transcription and an audio recording of one’s words.

10. Embrace Keep’s image-conserving smarts

Got a record or some other visual you would like to keep hold of for future reference? While modifying an email, tap the plus icon in the lower-left part of the display and choose “Take photo.” It is possible to snap an instant photo to add to the note after that. If you’d like to use a preexisting image from your own phone’s gallery, select “Include image” instead.

Either real way, what’s especially helpful may be the proven fact that Keep can grab words from the image and turn them into normal text — and you may seek out those words to get the info later then. To create that happen, tap on a graphic within any note simply, after that tap the three-dot menus icon in the lower-right part of the display screen and choose “Grab image textual content” from the menus that shows up. You can edit also, highlight, or pull on a graphic by selecting the paintbrush icon from that exact same menu.

11. Transform your scribbles into phrases

Should anyone ever have a visual concept you want to write down, contact the paintbrush icon in Keep’s toolbar or widget (or if you are already editing an email, tap the plus icon and select “Drawing”). It is possible to sketch or write on your own screen &mdash away; with a stylus or simply your finger &mdash also; and store your outcome along with any note elements then.

The coolest part: Exactly like with the camera-captured images, you could have Keep grab any words from your drawing and turn them into searchable and copy-ready text. Choose the drawing, then try that same three-dot menus icon in the upper-right part of the display to get the command.

12. Turn any note right into a list

You probably know you can begin a fresh list by tapping the checkmark icon in Keep’s toolbar or widget — but did you’re known by you may also change any existing note right into a list with a couple of quick taps?

While editing an email, touch the as well as icon in the lower-left part of the display screen and tap “Checkboxes.” Hold will put in a checkbox to the beginning of every new collection, and you will then get the geeky fulfillment of checking off as you complete them items.

13. Copy information as needed

Ever wish you can treat a note mainly because a template or starting place and focus on it without inside your original duplicate? Keep comes with an easily overlooked choice for doing that: Open an email, after that tap the three-dot menus icon in the lower-right corner and choose “Create a copy.” You’ll after that be taken to a precise replica of the notice while your original edition remains untouched.

14. Undo if you want to

For too long far, Keep lacked probably the most treasured commands of any textual content editor: the sacred “Undo” button. Fortunately, that’s no more the case: Next time you unintentionally delete an entire portion of textual content or make any ill-advised changes, search for the arrow that circles around left in the bottom-middle section of the screen. Once you have undone something, you can also notice an arrow that circles around to the proper; that one may redo everything you undid as needed.

Component III: Customization

15. Find your preferred view

Keep may present your notes in a number of columns automagically, but you need not keep it this way. Note that icon with two heavy horizontal outlines toward the very best of the app’s lookup bar? Tap it, and the app will change from its regular multicolumn watch (a.k.a. Grid Look at) right into a less dense single-column construction (List View).
JR Raphael/IDG
Keep’s multicolumn view, from left, and single-column see, at right.

16. Have a shortcut

Keep’s widget isn’t your only choice for keeping time-keeping note-taking features on your home display. The app also offers some handy concealed shortcuts that’ll enable you to jump directly to a few of its mostly used functions.

To get them, press and hold your finger to the Keep icon (possibly on your home display screen or in your app drawer). That’ll pop-up a number of shortcuts for developing a new text take note, audio note, photo be aware, or list notice. And an additional benefit tip: Along with accessing them there, it is possible to press and hold some of those shortcuts and drag ’em on your home screen for actually easier one-tap access.

17. Give your eye a rest at night

If you’re employed in a dim atmosphere, remember that Keep will automatically complement your device’s Dark Theme environment, so long as you’re using Android 10 or more. But if you’re utilizing an older Android version and/or just want Maintain get darker minus the rest of one’s phone being affected, have a peek in the app’s settings.

There, you’ll see a choice called “Theme.” No matter which kind of gadget you’re using, it is possible to adjust it in order that Keep will default to a darker motif for less glary viewing constantly.

18. Eliminate unnecessary components

Once you include URLs in an email, Keep generally tacks a number of preview boxes onto the note’s base edge with links to those websites. Those boxes could be a convenient method to reach your links quickly, however they can also develop a lot of unwanted clutter both within the information and in your primary note listing — and particularly if you have a tendency to include plenty of URLs in your memos, they are able to escape control quickly.

If, like me, those boxes are located by you to become more distracting than beneficial, tap Keep’s three-line menus icon inside the upper-left part, select “Configurations,” and deactivate the toggle close to “Display rich hyperlink previews.” Your take note list can look meaningfully because of this neater.

19. Manage Keep’s list behaviors

Automagically, Keep adds new what to the end of an inventory and sends checked-off what to the underside of an email, beneath all the energetic items. But do you know what? It is possible to change either of these behaviors: Simply tap Keep’s three-line menus icon, select Configurations, and deactivate the toggles close to “Add new what to bottom level” and/or “Move examined what to bottom.” That’ll result in new products and checked-off products, respectively, showing up near the top of a list of underneath instead.

20. Customize Keep’s reminder occasions

When you place a fresh note reminder, Keep supplies a group of one-tap presets — however the app’s default configurations for morning, afternoon, night may not be right for you personally and. It is possible to customize those periods to fit your own plan by tapping the app’s three-line menus icon, selecting “Configurations,” and adjusting the instances for each daypart beneath the “Reminder Defaults” heading. Simply note that the moments you occur Keep may also carry to Gmail and end up being useful for the default snooze situations there.

Component IV: Collaboration and integration

21. Synergy with a colleague

Want to brainstorm concepts or tackle the to-do list with the co-worker? Or possibly maintain an evolving grocery list with your spouse &mdash even; one that both of you can anytime update, anywhere? Easy peasy: Start a note, after that tap the three-dot menus icon in the lower-right corner and choose “Collaborator.” Begin typing the individuals name or Gmail deal with, and Keep will highlight a listing of suggestions from your own contacts as you kind; it is possible to either tap among its recommendations or continue entering a contact address manually. And when you need to add even more collaborators beyond that, keep entering brands or Gmail addresses while needed just.

Your note-producing companions are linked once, you’ll all have the ability to edit the note by yourself respective gadgets — whether they’re Google android, iOS, or any desktop computer platform — and you will all see any adjustments and additions simply because they’re made.

22. Switch accounts with convenience

If you use a number of Google accounts — like one for function and something for personal reasons — Keep helps it be super easy to switch between various personalities from correct within the app. Tap the circular user profile icon in the app’s upper-right corner (one that exhibits either your individual profile photograph or the initial letter of one’s name), and you’ll have the ability to toggle to any account connected with your phone. You can also put in a new account on your mobile phone from that same place, if you want to.

For an quicker account-switching shortcut even, swipe your own finger up or straight down on the user profile icon of tapping it instead. That’ll routine you through all of the accounts connected with your phone in forwards or backward order.

23. Let additional apps feed Maintain

Don’t forget that it is possible to share things from any app on your own phone straight into your Keep information — be it a web URL, an image, a screenshot, or perhaps a snippet of highlighted textual content. Just search for the “Share” order or icon wherever you’re and then select Avoid the set of choices. This content you’re looking at will beam in to a new note for the viewing and finding satisfaction.
JR Raphael/IDG
Select text in Google android anywhere, then tap “Talk about” and choose Google Keep — and that text could be saved by you right into a new note immediately.

24. Avoid being afraid to contact a Doc

Let’s face it: Whilst Keep excels in a large amount basic note-taking areas, the app offers its limits. Once a note becomes more of a record — with a great deal of text and the necessity for advanced editing equipment — Keep possibly isn’t the place you intend to be working.

Luckily, there’s an effective way around that: Whenever a note exceeds Keep’s capabilities, simply tap the three-dot menu icon within the lower-best corner of the editing screen, select “Send,” and select “Copy to Google Docs.” That’ll dump your complete note into a fresh Docs document, where one can edit aside to your heart’s articles.

If Docs isn’t your glass of tea, you may use the “Send via various other apps” option for the reason that same menus to send the entire text of one’s note into any app that may handle it — be it another Android word processor, an email or texting app, or perhaps a collaboration tool such as Trello or Slack.

25. Access Avoid other Google apps

When you’re focusing on some type of computer and wishing you can access those brilliant thoughts you collected on your own Android phone, pretend a little genie popped and given your wish &mdash right up; because here it really is: It is possible to reach your Keep information from the desktop variations of Gmail, Search engines Calendar, and Search engines Docs. And all you saved from your own phone will be correct and waiting there.

Simply look for the proper side panel in virtually any of these apps — or if the panel isn’t noticeable, choose a small whitened tab with a left-dealing with arrow in the lower-right part of the screen. After the panel’s open, it is possible to click the Maintain icon within it and look at, search, or edit your notes for the reason that exact same browser tab even.

In Docs, any brand-new notes you take will automatically include a connect to the document you’re working on at that time. And perhaps most readily useful of most: From the Maintain panel, you can click on the three-dot menus icon within any notice to copy its whole contents straight into your document.

With features like these, who requirements internal brain storage space, anyway?

in August 2020 This post was originally published in-may 2016 & most recently updated.