Summary
Notability supports automatic backups to third-party cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, and WebDAV. You can configure Auto-Backup to select a destination folder, choose from multiple export file formats (PDF, RTF, Note, with or without recordings), and manage which subjects are included. Backups do not delete if the original note is removed from Notability, and iCloud is only supported for syncing across devices, not for one-way backups.
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Questions
- How do I set up Auto-Backup in Notability to save my notes to the cloud?
- What file formats can I choose when backing up my Notability notes?
- Can I back up password-protected notes in Notability?
- If I delete a note in Notability, will it also be deleted from my backup?
- Does Notability support backing up to iCloud, or only third-party services like Google Drive and Dropbox?
Environment
- Customers using the Notability app for iPadOS or macOS.
Resolution
Enable Auto-Backup/Third-Party Backup
- In Notability's Library, tap the gear icon.
- Tap Connected Services
- Enable Auto-Backup/Third-Party Backup
- Tap a cloud service to select it:
- Box
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
- OneDrive
- Tap Backup Off to disable Auto-Backup/Third-Party Backup.
Destination Folder
Backups go to a folder named Notability by default, but you can choose a different folder.
- In Third-Party Backup's settings, tap Destination.
- Navigate to the desired destination folder.
- Tap Back Up To [folder's name].
File Format Options
You can back up your notes in one of several file formats.
- In Auto-Backup/Third-Party Backup's settings, tap File Format.
- Tap a format:
- PDF
To include background lines and colors, enable the Paper toggle after you select PDF as your file format. Bookmarks and audio recordings will not be included.
- RTF
This is a good way to export typed text that you want to edit in another app.
- Note
This is Notability's custom file format. It includes audio recordings and keeps everything in a note editable if you import the file back into the app. This is a good way to share notes with others who use Notability.
- PDF + Recording
This makes .zip files that contain a PDF and a folder of .m4a audio files. This is a good way to share recordings with people who don't use Notability. Notability can't open .zip files, so you'll have to unzip them to import their contents back into Notability.
- RTF + Recording
This makes files that contain an RTF and a folder of .m4a audio files. Notability can't open .rtfd files, so you'll have to unzip them to import their contents back into Notability.
Subjects to Back Up
By default, Auto-Backup/Third-Party Backup does not back up password-protected notes. You can enable backups for password-protected notes and disable backups for other notes.
- In Auto-Backup/Third-Party Backup's settings, tap Subjects to Back Up.
- Tap a subject to check or uncheck it.
- If a subject is locked, type in its password and tap OK.
Restoring Backups
Notability can't restore subjects and dividers from a backup automatically, so they must be remade manually. You can import an entire subject of backup files into Notability at once by following this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I delete a note in Notability, is the backup copy deleted?
No. The backup copy stays in your backup service.
When are notes backed up?
- When you enable Auto-Backup/Third-Party Backup or change its settings, all of your notes are backed up.
- When you edit a note and return to the Library, that note is backed up.
Can notes be backed up to iCloud?
Auto-Backup/Third-Party Backup only integrates with Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and WebDAV servers. You cannot create a one-way Notability backup with iCloud. You can sync notes across multiple devices via iCloud Sync.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, please contact the Bowdoin College Service Desk