How to Use Google Keep

Last Updated: May 13, 2020 References

Google Keep makes it easy to share the same notes no matter where you're signed in to your Google account. You can even use the app to set reminders and collaborate on notes and lists with others. This wikiHow teaches you how to use Google Keep, Google's free note-taking and list-making tool, on a computer, phone, or tablet.

Part 1

Part 1 of 5:

Creating Lists

1
Open Google Keep. You can sign into Google Keep on a computer, phone, or tablet using the same Google account. This gives you access to the same notes, lists, and reminders no matter where you're logged in.
- Android: Download Google Keep from the Play Store
  . Once installed, you'll find its yellow and white light bulb icon in the app drawer.
- iPhone/iPad: Download Google Keep from the App Store
  . Once installed, you'll find its yellow and white light bulb icon on the home screen.
- Computer: visit https://keep.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
2
Tap the New List
icon. It's to the right of "Take a Note". You can use Google Keep to make checklists for shopping, tasks, or anything else you want to keep organized:^{[1]
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3
Enter a name for your list. This should be something that describes the list, such as Shopping or Books to Read. You can type this into the "Title" field at the top of the list.
4
Enter your list items. You can do this by clicking or tapping the "List item" field and entering the first item.
- After entering typing an item name, tap + or press ↵ Enter to save and move to the next line.
- To rearrange list items, tap and hold the two vertical rows of dots to the left of the item's name and then drag it up or down.
5
Tap Close or the Back
to save your list.
6
Tap the checkbox
to mark a list item as "Done"
. Each item in your list features a checkbox at its left side. Checking this box will mark is akin to crossing an item off of your handwritten list. You can do this anywhere you're signed into Google Keep.

Part 2

Part 2 of 5:

Creating Notes

1
Open Google Keep. You can sign into Google Keep on a computer, phone, or tablet using the same Google account. This gives you access to the same notes, lists, and reminders no matter where you're logged in.
- Android: Download Google Keep from the Play Store
  . Once installed, you'll find its yellow and white light bulb icon in the app drawer.
- iPhone/iPad: Download Google Keep from the App Store
  . Once installed, you'll find its yellow and white light bulb icon on the home screen.
- Computer: visit https://keep.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
2
Tap Take a note. It's at the bottom of the screen in the mobile app, and at the top in the web app.^{[2]
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3
Type your note. Your note can contain any text you wish. If you'd like to enter a title, you can do so in the "Title" blank at the top of the note.
4
Change the color of the note. If you don't want a white background, have no fear:
- Mobile: Tap the ⁝ menu at the bottom-right corner and then select a color.
- Web: Tap the palette icon at the bottom of the typing area and then select a color.
5
Add other media to your note. You can add photos, recordings, drawings, and colored labels to your notes.
- 'Images:' Tap the photo icon at the bottom of the note (if you don't see it, tap + at the bottom to view additional icons), select Choose image, and then select an image for your note.
- Drawings: Tap the paintbrush or palette icon to switch into drawing mode, select a drawing tool at the bottom, and then select a color to draw with. You can use your finger or mouse to draw whatever you wish.
- Voice Recordings (mobile only): Tap the microphone to open the recorder, and then follow the on-screen instructions to add your own voice note.
6
Close the note to save it. Your notes are saved automatically so you won't have to tap a specific Close button.
- If you're using the mobile app, just tap the back button
  at the top-left corner to return to the main screen.

Part 3

Part 3 of 5:

Setting Reminders

1
Tap a note or list in Google Keep. You can set reminders for any note or list no matter where you sign into Google Keep.^{[3]
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2
Tap the bell icon. It's at the top of the note on the mobile app, and at the bottom on the web app.
3
Select a date and time for a reminder. Depending on the nature of your reminder, you may also want to select a location.
4
Tap the Back
icon to save (mobile only). This adds a reminder to your note.
- Depending on your settings, you may also be prompted to allow Google Keep to send you notifications and/or access your calendar app.
- You can edit the reminder at any time by tapping it at the bottom of the note or list.

Part 4

Part 4 of 5:

Organizing Notes and Lists

1
Open Google Keep. Now that you've learned the basics, here's how you can keep your new notes organized. You can complete these steps in the mobile app or on the web at https://keep.google.com.
2
Add a label to a note. If you want to group certain notes together, you can do so by adding labels. Applying the same label to multiple notes allows you to find certain types of notes easily with a quick search. Here's how to add a label:^{[4]
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- Select the note you want to label. To select more than one note at a time, tap and hold one note until it's highlighted a different color, and then tap additional notes.
- Tap the ⁝ menu.
- Tap Labels or Add Label.
- Type a word or two that describes the label (e.g., Work, Shopping Lists).
- Tap + Create (label name). It appears under the typing area. This creates the new label and attaches it to the current note(s).
- All of your labels will appear in the main Google Keep menu, which runs along the left side of the screen. If you're using a smaller screen like a phone or tablet, you'll have to tap the menu at the top-left corner to view the label list.
- Tapping a label name will display all notes that have that label assigned.
3
Edit a label. Here's how you can change the text of each label:
- Tap the ≡ menu at the top-left corner to expand the menu.
- Tap EDIT next to "Labels" (mobile) or Edit labels (web).
- Tap the pencil icon next to the label you want to edit.
- Type your new text and tap
  .
- If you want to add more labels, tap Create new label at the top to do so now.
4
Archive a note. If you don't want to see a note on your main screen but want it to still appear when you search Google Keep, you can archive the note. Just click or tap the square with a downward-pointing arrow on the note to do so.
- You can view all of your archived notes by tapping the ≡ menu and selecting Archive.
5
Delete a note. If you decide you don't want to keep a note, here's how you can delete it:
- Open the note.
- Tap the ⁝ at the bottom.
- Tap Delete.
6
Pin a note to the top of Keep. You can do this if you want to ensure that a note is always the first thing you see upon opening the app. To pin a note, just open the note and tap the pushpin icon at the top.

Part 5

Part 5 of 5:

Collaborating with Others

1
Open a list or note in Google Keep. If you want to be able to share a note or list with another person, you can add them as a collaborator. Collaborators can share specific notes and lists and make changes simultaneously.^{[5]
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- If you delete a note to which you've added collaborators, your collaborators will no longer see the note.
2
Tap the menu ⁝. It's at the bottom of the note in the mobile app. If you're using the web app, tap the outline of a person with a + symbol now, and then skip to step 4.
3
Tap Collaborators.
4
Enter the name or address of your desired collaborator. As you start typing, Google Keep will search your contacts and inbox for matching results. Select the correct person if their name appears, or continue typing the full address to add someone new.
5
Tap Save or
. A sharing invitation will be sent to your collaborator.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I edit a note I have on Google Keep?

Community Answer

1) Click on the note. 2) Click in the text field. 3) Start typing. 4) When finished typing, press "DONE" in the bottom right corner of the note.
Question

How do I tick boxes in the notes section?

Community Answer

Once you're done with your note taking, there should be a button that says Finished. If not, leave the notes for two minutes and come back; there should automatically be boxes to tick.
Question

How do I paste an image from the clipboard into Google Keep?

Community Answer

You will need to first download the photo.Then, click the camera logo and find the photo you have downloaded.