Google Keep is my favorite note-taking app for almost everything I do in my daily life.
Whether it's important documents, grocery lists, or random thoughts I want to jot down, Keep has never failed me.
But sometimes I crave a simpler, sticky-note-type experience I had before Google incorporated Gemini and cloud services.
That's when I started looking for an open source alternative that works like Keep and replace it.
NotallyX is an excellent alternative that lets me keep my data private
It looks and works like Keep too
I value my privacy, and a simple notes app was the last thing I imagined Google would need all my personal information for.
That's when I came across NotallyX, a fork/extension of Google Keep that is available on the Play Store.
At first, I was apprehensive, but after using it, I realized I don't need to continue using Google Keep.
It looks and functions like Google Keep, but it excludes some of the main culprits Google likes to force on its users.
It has no cloud storage, no form of tracking, and no data leaving your phone. It doesn't even need my Google account.
The open source app was exactly what I was looking for. It looks and works like Google Keep, with all the essential features.
I found the app too good to be true, and most of the time, it is. But NotallyX exceeded my expectations and delivered on what it promises.
It's a perfect notes/tasks app for privacy-conscious users who want to de-Google their digital footprint. The cherry on top was that it didn't even have ads.
I expected a free note-taking app like NotallyX would incorporate some form of advertising to pay the bills, but in this case, my assumption was wrong.
I particularly love how lightweight the app is and how it still includes all the features I love from Google Keep.
The only difference is that everything is stored locally.
It supports rich text, task lists, customization, images and audio attachments, and countless others, just like Google Keep. I also get reminders via notifications, including prompts to delete the note when I'm done.
It's a feature-rich notes app that is a joy to use. With time, I found other features that were more handy than I ever anticipated, including:
- Automatic local backups
- Home screen widgets
- PDF export support for easy sharing
- Task lists with subtasks
- Biometric and PIN lock
- Customizable colors
- Customizable text size
NotallyX quickly became my daily notes and tasks app, which wasn't my intention when I started using it.
But to make the switch, I needed to import my existing notes from Google Keep, as they contained valuable information and lists I might need at any time.
Transitioning from Google Keep to NotallyX was effortless
Making the switch couldn't be easier
I was apprehensive about switching to NotallyX full-time at first, since half my life's important data is on Keep.
I won't deny that Gemini's integration with Keep is a godsend and will save a lot of time when using other Google products like Gmail and Drive.
But my requirement was simple. I needed an app to jot down pitch ideas fast, and it respected my privacy.
I'm not fully on board with Google's push to bring AI into every product it offers, especially since my privacy might be at stake.
So switching to NotallyX made sense for me.
I didn't feel any friction when I switched from Keep to NotallyX. The app supports easy data import from Google Keep.
It worked like a charm, and I didn't miss a beat.
My notes were still intact in Keep in case I wanted to switch back. But that's highly unlikely.
If you're also considering switching, you need to download your Keep data first:
-
Visit **Google Takeout**and log in. -
Select **Deselect all**at the top of the list. -
Select only **Keep**and tap**Next step**. -
Choose the **.zip**file type, then click**Create****Export**. - Download the file after you receive the email notification.
After you have downloaded the file and extracted the contents, it's time to import your data to NotallyX:
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Open **Settings**in NotallyX. -
Look for the **Backups**section. -
Tap **Import Notes from other App**. -
Select **Google Keep**. -
Tap **Import**. - Select the extracted folder from your Google Takeout export you downloaded earlier.
You can also import your notes from other apps like Evernote and Quillpad. The export process is slightly different but follows the same steps when importing to NotallyX.
After following the steps above, my NotallyX layout looked uncannily similar to Keep, and I felt right at home.
It was as if NotallyX captured the true essence of Keep, without the Google bloat.
NotallyX does have some caveats
I'm not going to deny that I won't miss certain Google Keep features. Since NotallyX stores data locally, I will have to export it and reimport it every time I switch phones.
It's not the end of the world, but I use multiple devices, and keeping them synced is a pain.
There's also the concern that my phone could be stolen or lost. Along with the phone, I will lose my notes and tasks, some of which contain sensitive information I wouldn't want others to access.
And we all know life, time, and tasks don't wait for anyone. It would seriously hinder my daily life if that happened, and the risk isn't worth it.
This isn't something I have to worry about with Google Keep, as notes sync across all devices in real time. So, for now, I'm only storing simple notes and lists in NotallyX and using Keep for storing sensitive data.
I wish there were an easier way to sync notes across devices in NotallyX. If you think this is a deal-breaker, as I do, I would stick to Keep or other services for now and use NotallyX for basic tasks.
NotallyX is a worthy alternative to consider
If you're like me with notes that have sensitive data and don't want to share your personal information with Google, NotallyX is a worthy option to consider.
The app will feel right at home for Google Keep users who want to de-Google their devices while still retaining the familiar user experience.
But real-world trade-offs might not suit everyone, especially if you have multiple devices. Still, I recommend trying the app if you're not fully satisfied with Keep or want a simple, lightweight note-taking app.