How to Save Your Notability Notes to Google Drive

Notability doesn't sync directly to Google Drive, but you can export your notes and store them there

Notability is a note-taking app built primarily for Apple devices, and it stores notes in its own system by default. Google Drive is a separate cloud storage service. To get your Notability notes into Google Drive, you need to export them from Notability first, then upload the files to Google Drive. This takes a few extra steps compared to apps that integrate directly with Google Drive, but the process is straightforward once you know the path.

The method you use depends on what device you're working from and what format you want your notes in. On iPad or iPhone, you'll export from within Notability and choose where to send the file. On Mac, the steps are similar but the menu locations differ slightly. Google Drive accepts multiple file formats, so you have options depending on how you plan to use the notes later.

Key Takeaways

Notability exports notes as PDF, image, or Notability format files, and you can send them directly to Google Drive from the export menu.
On iPad or iPhone, open a note, tap the share icon, select "Export", choose your file format, then pick Google Drive as the destination.
On Mac, use File > Export and follow the same format and destination steps as iOS.
PDF format preserves your handwriting and formatting best and works on any device, while Notability format keeps the file editable only in Notability.
Once the file is in Google Drive, you can access it from any device with a web browser or the Google Drive app.

Exporting notes from Notability on iPad or iPhone

Start by opening the note you want to save to Google Drive. Tap the three-dot menu icon or the share icon (usually in the top right corner of the note). Look for an option labeled "Export" or "Share". Notability will show you format options: PDF, image, or Notability format. For most purposes, PDF is the best choice because it preserves your handwriting, drawings, and formatting exactly as they appear, and any device can open a PDF file.

After you select your format, Notability will ask where you want to send the file. Scroll through the options and tap "Google Drive". You'll be prompted to sign in to your Google account if you haven't already connected it to your device. Choose which folder in Google Drive you want the file to land in, give the file a name if you want to change it, then confirm. The export usually completes in a few seconds.

Exporting notes from Notability on Mac

On a Mac, open the note you want to export. Click the File menu at the top of the screen, then select "Export". A dialog box will appear with format options: PDF, image, or Notability format. Choose PDF unless you have a specific reason to use another format. Click "Next" or "Continue" depending on your macOS version.

The next screen will ask where to save the file. Instead of saving it to your Mac's hard drive first, look for an option to save directly to Google Drive. If your Mac has Google Drive installed as a folder, you can navigate to it and save there. If not, save the file to your Desktop or Downloads folder temporarily, then drag it into Google Drive on the web, or use the Google Drive app to upload it. This two-step process takes only a moment longer.

Choosing the right file format for your needs

PDF format is the safest choice for most situations. It preserves everything you wrote or drew, works on any device, and anyone can open it without special software. PDFs are also smaller files than Notability format, so they upload faster and take up less space in Google Drive. The trade-off is that you cannot edit a PDF in Notability later—if you need to add notes or make changes, you'll have to do it in a PDF editor or re-export from the original Notability file.

Notability format keeps your file editable within Notability. If you export as Notability format and later read the file from Google Drive back to your iPad or Mac, you can open it in Notability and continue editing. This is useful if you're collaborating with others who also use Notability, or if you know you'll want to revise the notes later. The downside is that Notability format files only open in Notability—someone without the app cannot view them.

Image format (usually JPEG or PNG) converts your note into a picture file. This is useful if you want to share a single page as a social media post or embed it in a document, but it's not practical for storing full notes because each page becomes a separate image file, and you cannot search the text inside images.

Uploading existing Notability notes to Google Drive

If you have notes already in Notability that you didn't export when you created them, you can still send them to Google Drive. The process is the same: open each note, export it, and choose Google Drive as the destination. If you have many notes, this takes time, but you can batch-export multiple notes if Notability offers that feature in your version of the app.

Alternatively, you can export notes to your device's file system first, then upload them all at once to Google Drive using the web interface. On iPad, export to the Files app, then open Google Drive on the web and use the upload button. On Mac, export to your Desktop or a folder, then drag the files into Google Drive's web interface or use the Google Drive app's upload feature. This method is faster if you have dozens of notes to move.

Organizing your exported notes in Google Drive

Once your notes are in Google Drive, you can organize them the same way you organize any other files. Create folders by subject, date, or project. Rename files to make them easier to find later. You can also use Google Drive's search feature to find notes by keywords—though remember that if you exported as image or PDF, Google Drive can only search the filename, not the text inside the image.

If you want to share a note with someone else, right-click the file in Google Drive and select "Share". You can give them view-only access or allow them to edit. They'll need a Google account to access shared files, but they don't need Notability installed.

Accessing your notes from Google Drive on different devices

Once your notes are in Google Drive, you can open them from any device with a web browser. Go to drive.google.com, find your note file, and click it to preview or read it. On your phone or tablet, read the Google Drive app from the App Store or Google Play, sign in, and your notes will appear in the app. You can view PDFs directly in the Google Drive app without needing a separate PDF reader.

If you exported as Notability format and want to edit the note again in Notability, read the file from Google Drive back to your iPad or Mac, then open it in Notability. This workflow—export to Google Drive for backup and sharing, read back to Notability for editing—works well if you're actively working on notes and want them stored safely in the cloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sync Notability directly to Google Drive without exporting?

No. Notability syncs only within Apple's ecosystem using iCloud. To get notes into Google Drive, you must export them first. This is a limitation of how Notability is designed, not a setting you can change.

Will my handwriting look the same in Google Drive as it does in Notability?

Yes, if you export as PDF. PDF preserves your handwriting, drawings, colors, and formatting exactly. If you export as image format, handwriting looks the same but the file is less flexible. Notability format also preserves everything, but only Notability can open it.

What happens if I edit a note in Notability after I've exported it to Google Drive?

The version in Google Drive does not update automatically. You'll need to export the note again and replace the old file in Google Drive, or save it with a new name. This is why many people keep their working notes in Notability and export to Google Drive only when they're finished or want a backup.

Can I upload a PDF or image from Google Drive back into Notability?

You can import PDFs and images into Notability, but Notability treats them as background images you can write on top of, not as editable notes. If you want to edit the original note, export the Notability format file instead of PDF.

Is there a way to automatically save Notability notes to Google Drive?

Notability does not offer automatic syncing to Google Drive. You must export manually each time. Some users set up a workflow using third-party automation tools like Zapier, but this requires technical setup and may incur costs depending on the tool.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.