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- If you want to take notes in Google Keep, you’ll need to unlock your phone or tablet and then launch the app from your app drawer, home screen, or use a widget.
- Android 14 quietly added support for the “default notes app” and a lock screen shortcut to launch that app.
- Google Keep is preparing to add support for it to be set as the default notes app, letting you quickly open Keep in a floating window from the lock screen.
Although the Pixel Tablet supports USI pen input, Google doesn’t sell an official accessory for the pen. A few months ago, we discovered evidence that Google was working on a stylus for the Pixel Tablet, but that accessory had yet to hit the market. Maybe the reason this addon hasn’t been released yet is because the software isn’t ready, but that may not be true for much longer. We’ve already seen that Google is preparing to upgrade the Gboard app with handwriting support for the pen, and now we’re seeing evidence that Google is preparing to upgrade Keep with a dedicated note-taking experience for the pen.
One of the key features introduced in the Android 14 update is the ability to change shortcuts on the lock screen. In previous versions of Android, you could only access shortcuts for device and wallet controls, but Android 14 adds shortcuts for Camera, Do Not Disturb, Mute, QR Code Scanner, Flashlight, and Video Call. The ninth hidden note-taking shortcut can also be added to the lock screen, but it only works if you set an app as the designated “default notes app.”
To be eligible to be designated as the default notes app, an app needs to meet two requirements in Android 14: It must target Android 14 and only handle the specific intent that the system sends to the “default notes app.” Google Keep version 5.23.482.04 is finally eligible for Default Notes App, which is why it now appears on the Choose Default Notes App page under Settings > Applications > Default applications (This selection page is not visible by default in the current Android 14 build but can be enabled by toggling the “Force Enable Notes Role” toggle in developer options.)
Becoming a “default notes app” has two main benefits for note-taking apps like Google Keep. First, it allows it to be launched from the new note-taking lock screen shortcut as well as by pressing the tail button on the pen. When you launch the Default Notes App from a lock screen shortcut, the device does not need to be unlocked for the user to take notes. When the device is unlocked and the user taps the pen’s tail button to launch the Notes app, the Notes app will open in a floating bubble on top of whatever app is currently on the screen.
Mishal Rahman / Android Authority
The second feature is that the Default Notes App gets access to a new API that allows the user to take a screenshot of the current window to insert into the note. Normally, apps cannot take screenshots of the current window for privacy reasons, so Google created a special API that can only be used by the “default notes app” dedicated to this purpose. When the Notes app uses this API, Android’s SystemUI takes a screenshot of the current window on behalf of the Notes app and then gives the user an opportunity to edit the screenshot using Markup before sharing the image with the Notes app.
The reason I’m describing how this new note-taking feature works in detail instead of showing you is because Google Keep doesn’t fully support it yet. When you set Google Keep as your “default notes app” and then try to launch it from a lock screen shortcut, an “Update Keep to continue” message appears even though you’re actually using the latest version.
Fortunately, we at least have a good idea of how this feature works, given what you’ve done I have already fully demonstrated this feature Using another notes app a few months ago. Additionally, Google Keep has added some new settings in preparation for the new pen note-taking feature, as shown below. These new settings let you decide whether you want to use the last note created on the lock screen or create a new note every time you launch the app from the lock screen or press the pen tail button.
Mishal Rahman / Android Authority
Although this feature isn’t fully functional yet in Google Keep, we probably won’t have to wait long before it works. Once this and Gboard’s pen handwriting features roll out, hopefully Google will finally release the “Pen for Pixel Tablet” we’ve been waiting for.
Thanks to Nail Sadykov on Telegram for the advice!
Google Keep, the popular note-taking app, is about to make taking notes even more convenient. With an upcoming update, users will be able to quickly jot down ideas and reminders directly from their lock screen. This new feature will streamline the note-taking process, allowing users to capture important thoughts without the need to unlock their devices. Whether it’s a brilliant idea or a sudden to-do list, Google Keep’s new lock screen functionality will make it easier than ever to stay organized on the go.