Android is getting a new note-taking app in April 2026, and I couldn’t be more excited
It’s no secret that app developers seem to pay more attention to Apple platforms than Android or Windows. The list of iPhone-only apps that I long for on Android is short, but notable. If I had to narrow it down to just two iOS apps I’d love to use on my Android devices, note-taking app Notability and travel app Flighty would be at the top of my list. It’s going to get shorter in April, because Notability is finally getting an Android version.
Notability got a major upgrade just last week that helped it inch closer to becoming a truly cross-platform notes app. It gained a web client, meaning that you can access Notability notes on any device with a browser, including on Android phones. The web client supports every staple Notability feature, such as live recordings and transcripts, file uploads and editing, and markup tools. Using the Notability Cloud sync function, notes created in the iOS, iPadOS, or macOS apps will be available on the web client, and vice versa.
It’s the closest thing to true Android support Notability has ever had, but a true Google Play Store version is coming soon. The company confirmed in a press release last week that Notability will reach Android beta testers in April 2026, providing an early look at the app’s user interface and features. Crucially, the upcoming app isn’t just an iOS clone — it will have Android-specific features, like lock screen note shortcuts.
There isn’t a perfect note-taking app on Android
I find basic apps like Google Keep and Samsung Notes to be far too limited for my needs, especially on tablets. It’s fine for typing out a fleeting thought on your Android phone or maintaining a grocery list, but anything more than that will make you wish you used a fully-featured notes apps. On the other end of the spectrum are apps like Notion, which are too powerful and confusing for my use cases. I’ve always thought Notability struck a great balance between these two extremes.
I first purchased Notability a decade ago, and it helped me get through my high school and college studies. Since then, I’ve used Notability to take notes during press conferences and interviews. Unfortunately, the one-time purchase option I used to buy Notability in the first place is no longer available. Notability now uses a subscription model, but it also added a free version for the first time as part of the switch.
Notability’s best feature is audio recording, transcription, and sync. When handwriting or typing in Notability, you can record audio alongside the notes you’re taking. The audio is synced to your actions in the Notability app. When you playback the audio recording, you can tap a word or drawing in your digital notebook and hear exactly what was said when you wrote it. This comes in handy when revisiting notes from meetings or lectures, as you can rehear what the speaker or professor said in the moment to refresh your memory.
Another worthy feature is shape and handwriting recognition, which is pretty self explanatory. When you draw a shape, the Notability software can recognize and snap it into perfect form. If you have terrible sketching skills or poor handwriting like me, this comes in handy. The app can also recognize your handwriting and convert it into text while offering full support for a stylus, mouse, and keyboard. There’s document import support, which I use instead of other markup tools like Adobe Acrobat.
You can sign up for the Notability for Android waitlist now
You can sign up for the beta version of Notability now on the app’s website. The app will support all the aforementioned features while in beta, but more are on the way. Notability is teasing a general release with “new AI-powered features through Notability Learn, notes export, support for the Notability Gallery, a phone-optimized version, and more advanced drawing tools.”
If you love productivity apps or note-taking tools, it’s worth signing up for the Notability for Android beta. If you want an early look at the experience, you can try the Notability web client for free today. It’s one of the best iOS, iPadOS, and macOS apps ever made, and it’s great that Android users will soon get to try it.
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