Notability: Notes, PDF Negative Reviews

Notability: Notes, PDF App Complaints & User Negative Comments 2024

Notability: Notes, PDF app received 127 complaints, negative comments and reviews by users. Have you ever had a bad experience using Notability: Notes, PDF? Can you share your negative thoughts about notability: notes, pdf?

Notability: Notes, PDF for Negative User Reviews

✓ Hear me outTo potential notability users: GoodNotes just went free this week BUT retained the same pricing just like before ($11), as a one-off in app purchase now rather than an upfront payment. Existing users are of course not affected. AND it continues to allow family sharing. Definitely give that a go if you haven’t already made up your mind. Don’t fall prey to notability’s $15.5 yearly subscription model or listen to their crap about not supporting family sharing for whatever reason. If audio recording is a must, head over to Collanote instead. It’s completely free and works well. Now I’m actually glad notability went subscription to push people to discover other apps that undergo more conscionable transition to not jeopardize customer relationships. I feel sorry for the people stuck with this once-epic note taking app by a greedy company.Atlantic scotianVersion: 11.0.17

✓ New Notability is Not GoodEver since they introduced the “New Notability!” the app has been lagging for me. It’s especially noticeable when I’m trying to write things with my Apple Pencil. It’s really annoying when I’m in a lecture and trying to take notes but I have to concentrate more on making sure I’m actually getting things on the page than on the content of the lecture. I also really really dislike the new toolbar. It is much more time consuming than it used to be to change utensils or even to change the thickness of the utensil to create headings, which is important for me when I’m taking notes. It is also very frustrating that the Undo button can no longer be moved. It is now on the other side of the screen from where I had it, and my muscle memory keeps going to the other side of the page, which again takes time away from what I actually want to be doing. I really like Notability, and I specifically chose it over competitor apps like GoodNotes when I first got my iPad because I felt like I could do more with Notability, but if the lagging continues to be an issue I may have to look elsewhere. I am a student with a learning disability, and time is really of the essence for me. It is not an exaggeration for me to say that every second counts for me, and this updated format has taken way more seconds (and minutes) from me than it should have..Not a Human, a ZoeVersion: 14.2.1

✓ DisappointingCan’t believe they turned it into a subscription service. Why would you pay more for this app while the other one is just as good plus it’s cheaper? GoodNotes didn’t cheat their users like notability..NappybdvsnsVersion: 11.0.1

✓ Long time userI’ve had this app going on 6 years now. Back in the day this app was the best of the best in its abilities compared to the competitors. For a one-time purchase of $7.99 you had the best note-taking app on the market. I’m unsure when they became a subscription only app for new downloaders, but I imagine my time is coming for when I’m required to start paying the subscription. However, the overhaul of this app in 2023 has been nothing but a downhill slope of Notability’s reign as “best note-taking app” that has me second guessing keeping it altogether. The freezing, glitching, lack of accurate searching, force-closing, and less friendly updated features has made it more of a nuisance than a help. I’ve only got 1 year of schooling left so I will stick it out with this app if I can, but I will definitely tell other looking for a note-taking app to definitely explore the options before paying for this app annually. If you do not need the audio recording option, Apple’s files app allows you to write the same way notability does so make sure the built-in features in the software you already have doesn’t meet your needs before buying this app. One-time fee = app was so worth it. Annual subscription = Make sure you’re ok with some of the nuances that comes with the updates..CmiesterVersion: 14.7.2

✓ Needs better organizationThis app is very helpful, especially the feature to record lectures. I can stay on top of what my professor says easier, and use the Apple Pencil to highlight or emphasize certain points. There is a bit of a delay for the notes and the audio, so when I click on a note, I know to automatically hit the “rewind 10 seconds” button, but I just deal with it because it is so helpful regardless. However, while the recording ability is the star feature of this app, the other features need improvement. 1. Since more classes are taking place online due to the pandemic, there should be an option to record lectures using the iPad’s internal microphone. Right now, I play the lectures on my phone and record audio with the iPad, since I do not have a better option. 2. Second, and my biggest gripe with the app is ORGANIZATION. Although you can have subjects, and place notes in the subjects, I want the ability to make folders within the subjects. A lot of my subjects in school are so complex - with labs and assignments in addition to lecture notes and different subtopics, the ability to make folders within subjects is seriously ESSENTIAL. The most I can do is change the name at the beginning of the file to reflect what kind of material it is (ex: Lab 1, Assignemnt 2, etc.) but the ability to make folders really holds this app behind. I still use it for the recording feature, but the lack of organizational options available is really frustrating..Kmc121084Version: 10.1.1

✓ Once great app now ruined by bugsThis app used to be pretty much flawless. But after recent updates, it feels like the experience you’d get from a free app. Every time I use it there is some bug. Often, you simply cannot scroll or use gestures of any kind on a note. You have to either exit the note or exit the app in order to move around. Another common issue is that the toolbar will stop functioning. You cannot switch between Pen, Eraser, Highlighter, use the Undo button, or anything. Also, the app will fail to register Apple Pencil input very frequently. Pretty much every not taking session, at multiple points I will have to tap the screen with the Apple Pencil several times before it starts registering input again. I don’t know if these issues are universal, but they’re pretty bad on my iPad Pro 10.5.T5000XVersion: 9.3.3

✓ What’s happening with the new update???After the new update, my notability is so laggy. Sometimes the screen just freezes and everything I have done is not saved. Also, I can’t believe that the developer changed the favourite pens feature. In the past, when I saved a favourite pen, I could save the thickness of pen as well. That means I could save two pens with different thickness. Now with the new favourite pen panels, every time I choose a pen, I have to choose a new thickness because there is no individual thickness of each pen saved. How could a feature become worse after an update? There are also other parts where it actually makes Notability less convenient to use, despite the new fancier style (but for what?!). Notability has been an integral part of my life and I genuinely loved it UNTIL this update. Developer, please rectify it fast, I don’t want to change to another note-taking app and have to learn everything again 😫.MNOceanVersion: 14.0.3

✓ Moving to Subscription ModelLegacy customers are being left behind as they make this app ‘free’. Their current press release suggests current customers who paid for the full application on iOS and many MacOS too, will be required to pay for a subscription in a years time. This ‘complimentary’ year is a joke for the customers who have bought Notability. You can read on the general discord and negative feedback on their own blog in the comments section. There has also been suggestions this goes against App Store guidelines, see below. I urge them to reconsider. In the mean time I will switch to a new app, so I don’t further place my notes within the Notability ecosystem. “As of the new update to Notability (version 11.0), the developer has stated those who purchased the app before it was free will only have the functionality they paid for, for the next year, and will then be downgraded to the free version. This is against App Store guidelines section 3.1.2(a) which states that an app switching to a subscription model cannot remove features for those who have previously purchased the app.”.Sammy HerringVersion: 11.0.1

✓ App Store violation?The new 11.0 update means that even though I have been happy with your app that I paid for the full app and IAPs, after 1-year it would count for nothing? After 1-year the product that I bought will turn into a “free” version and you will be removing features that I had already paid for!! This has to be some sort of App Store violation that I hope Apple looks into! Very disappointed that I am not getting the service promised to me that I had paid for. This 1-year period I will be working on porting my notes over to a different app and demanding a refund. Give us existing users a better explanation because what you have is not good enough. Shame on you..AnnabelleTLYVersion: 11.0.1

✓ Very good but missing convenienceI use it for notes all the time but I’d really love a two finger tap to undo and three finger tap to redo instead of the tiny little button up top.DissapointinVersion: 8.2.8

✓ The dev double dipsWhy am I paying for text to speech and stickers and math Functionability when I already purchased the app. STOP DOUBLE DIPPING Don’t buy this one note is free and far superior.1126dichezVersion: 10.5.1

✓ Stole my moneyI purchased this app full price. Now, they have literally taken it away from me and I was forced into a subscription model. This is against Apple’s TOS - Section 3.1.2(a), but they don’t seem to care..Dcoutinho15Version: 11.0.1

✓ Used to Work Great but now it just crashes constantlyCan’t get this app to stop crashing. I can’t believe I paid so much for this for it to stop working on me..Z SilvaVersion: 10.3.5

✓ Used to work very well.None of the customizable fonts and sizes have worked for me since the past few updates on my SE. I’m stuck with one style of font and size. Until it’s fixed, it’s really just the Notes app that’s already on your phone with a price tag slapped on it. It’s a five star app otherwise, but I don’t even wanna use it until this is fixed..Bbbbennie99Version: 7.0.1

✓ WORST UPDATE EVERSince the update, this app has changed drastically. I downloaded and even paid for an annual subscription because I often use the Split View feature for school which I think is great especially with note taking from PowerPoints. This app is so frustrating that I would rather write on paper again. I wish I can get a refund for this. I do not care for aesthetics as this used to be the most functional and practical app for note-taking and honestly loved it so much in the beginning. My biggest frustration since the update is how OFTEN my screen freezes especially on Split View and I know this is from the update because it was not happening before the update. It was FLAWLESS like why do they have to update the app?? I am writing this in class right now because I cannot keep up with my notes since the app keeps freezing. I am so frustrated. I unfortunately have a semester and a half worth of notes in here and I will have to transfer all of them to a different app. So disappointing. FIX IT. Also the toolbar SUCKSSSSS. Why ruin a perfectly functional APP?! WHY?!.Iaa.iaeaVersion: 14.1

✓ Great for PDFs, not brilliant for notesI use this app mainly for planning my knitting. I love it for marking up pdfs and it works well for this purpose (though I’m sure I could find similar functionality somewhere else). However, for me it comes up short when it comes to actual note taking. There’s no tables or ways to use shapes to easily organise notes. I find the text part really chunky - I can’t seem to easily work my saved styles. Once I’ve written something, moving it around is a real faff! Today I couldn’t move around text at all I’d written, making the idea of a notebook to me pointless. I find I often reach the end of the capabilities of this app. To me, it feels as if they’re trying to keep it easy and minimal, but in doing so, they miss out on some key features. I’m also not completely convinced about having to pay for extras in a separate store - there’s no way to try the app before shelling out the full cost, but this doesn’t for example include hand writing to text unless you pay extra. So in essence - it’s not a horrible app that is broken, but I do think the functionality could be better and I’m not sure I’ll stick to it forever. Very few feature changes would make it one of the best on the market...Karoline SNVersion: 10.3.3

✓ Disappointed after new updateThere was a new update recently and the look/layout looks pretty different. What disappointed me was that I’ve found more glitches while taking notes, using my apple pencil, or using my apple keyboard. I’ve had this app for nearly 3 years now for all my college course notes and haven’t encountered glitches like this before which is sad. I keep having to exit out of the app and reload it for the simplest things like converting my handwriting to text because the screen completely freezes and won’t let me do anything anymore. This also happens when I try to pop up the keyboard sometimes to type on my notes/documents. I hope there’s another update soon fixing these issues because I truly prefer this platform over any other note taking app. Also in this update, I think the “favorite pens/highlighters” section disappeared? It used to be a moveable bar anywhere on my page which I really loved because it was convenient, but now it’s not and I’m unsure how to get it back. Have to do more work to find my colors/pen sizes and switch between them now. I do like that there are more color options now for subject titles! But please update again soon for the bug fixes :).Hey_its_reignVersion: 14.1.1

✓ Subscription for users who paid the full price?So ginger lab decided to switch to a subscription based model? So every existing user who paid the full price for a lifetime access to basic features of this app will be blocked behind a paywall? How can you take away features when I paid 14$CAD for this app? This is probably the worst move ginger lab could’ve made. This is also a breach of apple’s guideline..User35739Version: 11.0

✓ Good, but not versatile enough!Brought this because OneNote for iPad doesn’t support writing and recording at the same time. I am super pleaeed with how Notability links the audio to my hand written notes! However I have only given it three stars as it doesn’t have the versatility of other apps like OneNote! I need to be able to drop emails and other documents directly into my notes, preferably allow me to see and work with them, but I would be satisfied with just having a link I could tap on. In essence I want to me able to keep all my work related to one topic etc in one place! This really limits the app for me and I haven’t brought the Mac version as I don’t want to commit to this product with out additional utility. So I will look else where until Notability improves! Ps. Direct scanning functions would help somewhat with this in the interim..Shamusss71Version: 8.4

✓ Subscription unfair to current customersDO NOT UPDATE if you still wanna have customized pen colours and many other features for your notes in the future. This new version is only allow existing users to enjoy the app until November 1, 2022. Afterwards, you can chose to downgrade to free version (no auto-backup/iCloud backup/customized pen colours and so on….) or pay 14.99 per year..BinarystaranVersion: 11.0

✓ DisappointingThe longer I use the app the more bugs I come across. Not a user friendly app..Yo yo waz up dowgVersion: 10.3.3

✓ SeeuchangeFeatures to improve: 1. Enable creating folders freely on the left hand side section, by dragging notes you want to put together. Now it’s hard to categorise folders as you have to put notes to certain place on the list, often unrelated notes get in the folder and it’s not quite user friendly to take them out 2. Within a folder, other than listing the notes by name, created a date and modified date, allow user to list them freely, as organising notes usually happens after you finished writing the note. 3. Apple Pencil strokes: not sure if you can improve this from you side, but the size of the stroke is somehow reversed? Especially when writing Asian language characters, when you pressing the hardest to finish a stroke, it is supposed to become thinner and thinner and finishes like a dog’s tail, but in the app doing strokes like this it actually thickens at the end. By using the exact same iPad and Apple Pencil in drawing app like sketches, it does not detect stroke strength like notability. Please improve stroke detection to make it like writing with real pencil on paper..SeeuchangeVersion: 9.4.5

✓ The user is not notified in advance to change the payment method.The software used to implement a buy-out system (including downloads and in-app purchases). After it was updated to the new version on November 1, 2021, it adopted a free download + subscription system (but the specific change method of the subscription system was not explained in the update announcement). For users who previously purchased with a buyout system, the software will only provide a one-year free subscription, and then additional subscription fees will be charged. This behavior violates the purchase agreement that has been reached with the old user and is a commercial fraud. And, as a note-taking software, the restricted functions of the unsubscribed free version include "limited note editing", even drawing a dot will also be recorded in it, which means that the use of free users will also be greatly restricted, so the The software is also suspected of inducing consumption. The official Apple platform has the responsibility and obligation to punish such behavior..___ZzyyyyyyVersion: 11.0.1

✓ Subscription? Really?I have been an avid Notability user…will no longer be supporting Ginger Labs! Not impressed! Greedy and unethical developer!! Trying to harvest payments from current users. You cannot downgrade my current version and remove features that I have already PAID FOR!! Are you following Apple’s guidelines (3.1.2a). Plus your app isn’t THAT great or different from other apps out there. Shame on you!!! Good-bye Notability!!.CiapkaVersion: 11.0.1

✓ What's wrong with the recording?Have been my fav app until two weeks ago, I loved to record the class over the power point and go back to it when revising my notes.. Yesterday i noticed that recording stops without me pressing stop, after 2 or 3 minutes.. or more, or less.. that is a full distraction for a dyslexic like me.. fix it or i will need to stop using this for ever....RuthylilyVersion: 10.2.6

✓ App was greatBefore they updated the interface. Please return the option for a favourites bar, with all the different tools I can choose to put there. The new toolbar is inconvenient and clunky. At least, give people the option to choose between old and new styles of interface..Arthur IvanchenkoVersion: 14.2.4

✓ Needs improvements and added featuresThe organisation factor is lacking a lot. Need to be able to have subgroups within a subgroup to provide more specific organising as well as personalisation. We should be able to have the same title if we want especially if I’m trying to write notes for lectures I should be able to just title them LECTURE 1 for each subject..JenniferDAceVersion: 9.4.6

✓ Please ReconsiderI have used this app everyday for the last three years with no bad experiences. I have recommended this to countless people, many of which purchased I have always said I would be happy to pay more to use this app, 5/10 times what I originally paid but never as a subscription. Now I’ve got to move all of my uni notes to another app since the other options is to pay year after year until I give in and lose all my notes. As other have said this is against the app stores TOS, (3.1.2(a) is what has been quoted) since you are removing functionality that we have paid for (i.e. icloud upload which does not have to be maintained by you) I am not alone in these thoughts (check reddit) and please reconsider, or risk losing many loyal customers who would be happy to pay no end of money to improve the app and prevent stagnation. I fear I will no longer be able to trust you and your app, even if this is revoked. I mean, a monthly limit on edits, what were you thinking? If you have yet to purchase this app, dont bother. Ginger Labs clearly doesn’t respect its users and are just another team of money grabbers looking to scam you.Benster981Version: 11.0.1

✓ Update makes no sense?I paid for this app years ago and this new update is making me subscribe to the premium membership to have iCloud sync and all the other features I thought I already paid for?? Ridiculous.InstagramreviewsVersion: 14.1

✓ Another app falling to the subscription modelAdios..ABritishMelonVersion: 11.0

✓ Move to subscription model violates App Store policyTo find that many of the features I paid for are being removed, only to be reintroduced in a subscription is a real slap in the face. I encourage others not to reward this deceit, and use one of the many alternative apps that treat their paying customers better. Apple’s guidelines, 3.1.2(a) state: If you are changing your existing app to a subscription-based business model, you should not take away the primary functionality existing users have already paid for. For example, let customers who have already purchased a “full game unlock” continue to access the full game after you introduce a subscription model for new customers..Steven from DunedinVersion: 11.0.1

✓ AwfulI can’t believe I paid for this app, I thought it would be better than Microsoft one note because of how heavily marketed it is by other students on YouTube etc. The notes crash all the time, and PDFs go blank so my writing is there but the PDF is gone. And the online version is different and you have to pay and half the time the notes don’t even sync..What whateversjdVersion: 10.3.5

✓ New update is unusableThey recently did I big update to the system and the whole app has become unusable and there seems to be little attempt to fix it. I am repeatedly un-able to open the pen tool after switching to a different tool, which has led to me missing a lot of important information from my lectures because I am unable to write and have to spend time trying to fix it. There are plenty of other bugs in the new update that need to be addressed. Really annoyed I am paying for this after they took a well functioning app and broke it. I am going to need to now switch systems even though all my notes are on this platform because I can no longer use it in my lectures.Duncan1345Version: 14.2.6

✓ Do NOT link Notability to iCloud!!!!!There is a rare glitch with Notability that can occur (has not only happened to me) where the Notability app deletes the Notability files saved in iCloud and then updates your Notability app to correspond with your iCloud account. This means all your local and iCloud Notability files are DELETED in the blink of an eye! How would I know this? Because I lost 4 years of my Maths Degree notes in the blink of an eye, 5 weeks before my final exams. Thankfully I had a fairly recent back up of my notes to Google Drive but had it not been for that I would have lost EVERYTHING. Go into the Notability settings and TURN OFF the link to iCloud and back up to something else instead! Apart from this glitch, which nearly gave me a mental breakdown, the app is very good and means you can have all your notes from every class you’ve ever taken on one device..CPTN War PigVersion: 11.0.4

✓ Great (at least it used to be)This app was once a great tool for note taking, study, and even art, but it’s just mediocre at best nowadays, changing what was once a fairy reasonable one-time purchase to a subscription plan for a NOTE-TAKING APP, making features difficult to use or just straight up removing them in the name of minimalism, and subsequently removing any kind of personality or soul, and the fact that the app is just irritatingly laggy, especially on larger notes. In some cases it’s virtually impossible to even paste an image without the app crashing, removing a portion of previous work done if you’re lucky, or corrupting and causing the note to just vanish without a trace. In my own opinion, the last actually good change was the addition of the pencil tool. Most of what happened after that was just the devs gutting their app. Find a different app to take notes if you were going to get this one, I’m sure there’s way better options out there..Lunar_ShadowhunterVersion: 14.5.4

✓ U r cheating on all of your royalty customersStop cheating! Do right thing!!.WjxycbfjdkkfVersion: 11.0.1

✓ New update has ruined/removed so many valuable featuresI have used notability for years throughout high school and now uni. Since the new update, typing has been SOO laggy and everything has been so much more difficult. I no longer know how to colour pick, no longer know how to attach multiple audio recordings to one document, I can no longer copy and paste, or even select anywhere on my screen to begin typing. I am so incredibly disappointed in this update and I’m not too sure what the intention of it really was. It has a basically just changed the already appealing and simple interface to a more confusing and buggy interface with less features. But now we get a laser pointer too I guess?? I’m not sure if that was a thing before but I don’t really find the tool useful anyhow. Please bring back the old notability. I can no longer stand to take notes on this app due to the dreadful lag and lack of functionality. Now I guess I’ll just use GoodNotes..Miracle/PixiVersion: 14.0.2

✓ BuggyMy highlights will not straighten for most documents and it is so annoying. I don’t know what happened but before the highlight would automatically straighten. This is extremely frustrating. They need to fix it immediately..D1EVASVersion: 11.7

✓ Good app but missing some featuresMy first review and I’ve been using iOS apps since the the App Store started. I use this app for work (site documents, specifications, sketches and notes) on my iOS devices, desktop and laptop since 2017. It’s help me become almost paperless and I’ve found it invaluable. Update Nov 23:- I’ve lost over 10k of notes from my iPhone version of the app seven days ago and it no longer syncs with my other devices. Notability support have advised me that the issue is due Apple meta data limits and that they are working through issue with Apple. I’ve had over 10k of notes for over four years, so when did Apple apply meta data limits? Support have not provided me with a fix or a timescale for the fix. It’s been a week now and the app I’ve paid is rendering useless. Especially as I use it for work. I’ve bought standalone versions of the iOS, mac and iPad app. I would never consider a subscription after this!.MacanuchiVersion: 14.4.1

✓ BuggyLots of bugs, a bit overpriced, but still usable. Since this most recent update, my writing gets undone occasionally when I Zoom out of the document. This was quite infuriating in the online exam I just finished. Edit: Now I get a notification that iCloud storage is full every single time I open a new document. This renders this app almost unusable. Further, every time my display goes to sleep the app just closes, making me have to reopen the app and search for the place where my last document was. I used to enjoy using this app but it is becoming increasingly unusable and I am tempted to move all my work to another app like Goodnotes..JmseoVersion: 11.5.1

✓ Love the app but recent update is killing my battery lifeI’ve been a loyal and dedicated user of this app on my iPad(s) for almost a decade. The style of this newest update isn’t my cup of tea and I much prefer the old look, but hopefully I can learn to live with it. However, I’ve experienced more lag and bugs since the recent update than I have in the entire rest of my time using the app. Specifically, notes are taking up to 20 seconds to reload even if I’ve just switched to another app for a few seconds or checked notifications. Notability has also been draining my iPad’s (healthy) battery like crazy the past few days - worst I noticed was going from 57% to 51% in just two or three minutes after importing some PDFs. I’ve always found this app to be useful, useable and even enjoyable - I really hope I won’t have to switch to one that is more functional than Notability currently is..Glyph1810Version: 14.0.2

✓ Extra Charges and No Support- find another note taking app!I’ve had issues with syncing across Apple devices and received no assistance from notability due to lack of customer service. Out of desperation I rebought the app across all 3 of my devices ($45) as advised and my issue was still not resolved. Not only was my issue not resolved, but all of my notes from 3 years of college were completely erased since they weren’t properly synced as promised by the app. I had no issues with the app after this, however, within the last year they began advertising notability plus for an additional yearly fee. Since I was satisfied with the version I had already purchased, I elected to not start paying an extra $15/year just to continue taking my notes. Unfortunately, they are clearly desperate for subscribers because they have begun gradually removing all of the features that I love and were included in the original price. I am no longer able to do basic things such as select my own colors. Today I got a message that I have “reached my use capacity” and can’t even continue using the app to take notes for school for another 2 weeks. This is super frustrating since I’ve been using it with all of these features over the past 5 years and have recommended the app to several people. Please save your money and give your business to another app such as Goodnotes..Kylie1551Version: 12.1.12

✓ Don’t buy thisThey are charging you a subscription fee for something you already own..Oppel174Version: 11.0

✓ Disappointed with recent color switching system updateI am not a fan of the new color switching system. Before, there was a very handy favoriting feature that allowed me to save my preferred color and size settings. These favorites were completely independent of my current settings, allowing me to change the current size and color without affecting my favorite settings. This was very seamless and useful for all my different highlighting purposes. However, the current system is quite a mess. There are separate lists for colors and sizes for quick selection. The number of colors I can save is less than before, which is inconvenient. But the most frustrating aspect of it all is that I can't select a different color without replacing one of my saved colors. I don’t understand why this feature was changed in such an inconvenient and unintuitive way. Please consider reverting to the previous system..Gamererererer1Version: 14.2.4

✓ It's a liarThe software, which used to have a buy-out system (including downloads and in-app purchases), was updated to the new version on November 1, 2021, and now has a free download + subscription system (the update announcement did not specify how the subscription system will be changed). For those who bought the software under a buyout, it will only be available for a free subscription for one year, with an additional subscription fee after that. This kind of behavior violates the purchase agreement already reached with the old user, belongs to the commercial fraud. Moreover, as a note-taking software, the unsubscribed free version has limited functions including "limited note editing", and even a dot will be recorded, which means that the use of free users will be greatly restricted, so the software is also suspected of inducing consumption. The official Apple platform has the responsibility and obligation to punish such behavior..罗小面Version: 11.0.1

✓ Needs more organizational abilityI have seen several other complaints about notability needing better organization, so it is upsetting knowing that nothing has been done to address this issue. There needs to be some kind of additional their of organization that allows you to either 1) put the dividers into a folder. For instance, all my dividers have a bunch of subjects in them, and when i am done with this semester, I would like to be able to put those dividers into one large folder that says “fall 2020.” Or, 2) you could keep the dividers/subjects, but add another teir underneath subjects where you could subdivide specific lessons. All in all, the divider and subjects organization that is in place is too simplistic. I cannot recommend this app to someone who is doing most (potentially all) their school work on it. It just doesn’t have enough organization. Another issue is when you go to send a file to notability, it brings up a ton of subjects, all the subjects you have ever created. If you are using the subjects tab for weekly modules like I do, it gets very annoying to find the correct subject as I have around 50 (and i have only been using it for one semester). This app is nice to take notes in, but not long term. It has worked well for a single semester, but I do not know how I will be able to continue adding files with such a simplistic organization style..Jfletcher2020Version: 10.1.5

✓ The new subscription based model is a scam!Notability is cheating loyal customers by forcing us to use the new subscription model!! Report their scam to Apple so actions can be taken against them!.Eric Hua SBVersion: 11.0.1

✓ Major GlitchLet me preface this by saying notability COULD a great app, as it is really convenient for note taking. However, I have been trialling it as a complete replacement for paper lecture notes but when I write in lectures where you have to be speedy, the app glitches a LOT when I zoom in and out to write and it freezes or the pages of my document go blank and I have to exit the app. Please fix this as I’ve PAID for this app for this reason only. Also, when you backup on google drive, the recordings won’t back up as well. A feature that is also NEEDED is a few favourite colours available on the top bar without having to click and choose the colour. Also the redo button should just be on the top bar as well. And when you highlight, it should be over the writing and not make the writing faint and the option to only erase parts of your writing with the eraser tool. And there should be the option to keep many tabs open at once. Thanks..Nobody_CyclopsVersion: 8.4.1

✓ Auto backup keeps turning itself offI’d been using the app for over a year, mostly with no problems. However after the recent updates my auto backup keeps turning itself off. I thought at first this was a one off due to the recent changes. But it’s just done it to me again, after backing up with no problems just a few hours ago. I’m now sat here watching it sync every one of my files again despite only updating one note this afternoon. I can’t do anything else on my iPad as if I close the app it stops the sync and would have to start all over again! I can’t keep wasting a few hours letting it sync so may need to change apps which is a shame as it’d been working well for me before. Update July 22. Issue improved but still now and then, and three times in last week, it spends a few hours uploading all my files again. It works so well except for this intermittent issue..Ems1313Version: 11.4

✓ No grandfathering?Paid for the app. Liked it pretty well but now I'm going to lose features that I've already paid for? That's a clear violation of Apple guidelines. Time to move on. Subscription overload..DaeusVersion: 11.0.1

✓ BugsA lot of people hated the new update but I thought it was fine. What I’m NOT fine with is the bugs that came with the update. Frequently, when I use some other pen/tool (other than the main one) and then try to switch back to the main pen, it just doesn’t work (like the button is broken). When I try to press it it just either writes behind the button or asks me if i want to paste clipboard?? I didn’t think I would have to write a review because I figured it would have been fixed in two updates or so but the issue still persists. For a paid app thats been around so long I expected better.111homell111Version: 14.2.5

✓ Better before the updatesI use this app to study and loved it all last year. There are some really good features but the newest update has either changed or removed these. For example, the favourites bar has been removed, I understand that they have made the top bar open for edits and set pens but this is just not the same. The real killer of this app for me is the zoom feature. I LOVED this feature and it is the main reason I use notability over other similar apps but since the last update the zoom feature now has a big box on where you would be writing the tail end of your first line (within the zoom box). In the past, these options were on the top bar of the zoom box but it has since been moved inside the zoom box, meaning that it is in your way when trying to write and gives you a much smaller box to write in as it is taking up so much space. I had really hoped that the new update would have resolved this issue because I honestly don't know how it was ever approved if it went though testing (it is so in the way I don't know how people didn't notice it) but sadly the box is still there and still very much in the way. To the developers, please please remove this and put the actions back on the top of the zoom box. I know my subscription is up in January and if it is not resolved before then I will be moving my notes to another app and will not be paying a penny more for this one.Abs.johnstonVersion: 14.4.2

✓ Free version is bad, GoodNotes is better valueI made the mistake of getting the free version of this app. All seems to work well except there is “limited” note edits which is stated but not clearly quantified. this can really mess things up during crucial times when you are taking notes forcing you to subscribe to their yearly payment model. GoodNotes is only a 1 off payment and is cheaper than the Notability 1 year subscription. It’s a no brainer on which is the better value for money..Noteorious B.I.GVersion: 11.0.6

✓ Good app, but ARE YOU SERIOUS?😡😡I can’t believe this is happening, I paid for this app already and now I have to subscribe it just because you made it free now????? It doesn’t even make sense, I bought this app already you can’t start charging me just because you made it free now😡😡😡.YuxuanCheungVersion: 11.0.1

✓ Variable Palm Detection is Extremely AnnoyingLook, I like this app. The organizational features and the ability to back-up to google drive is a lifesaver. However, one thing that I absolutely HATE is the broken palm detection. Essentially, every now and then, I’ll be writing a sentence and randomly drawn, straight lines will appear on the screen. I’d go back and worth with the native notes app to ensure it wasn’t just the iPad that was acting up (which it wasn’t). I also tried lifting my palm off the screen while I was writing, to see if it would fix the issue (which it did, but it is completely impractical to write that way). All-in-all, I like this app when it’s NOT jittery and writes the way it’s supposed to, would definitely give 5 stars but this is just the worst..BruhpleasefixVersion: 10.3.2

✓ Don't change something if it isn't brokenI fail to see why the developers felt the need to compromise functionality for minimalistic aesthetics. The purpose of a note taking app is to take notes, not to admire the interface. Essential functions (such as recently deleted, note search, bookmarks, etc) have been compressed and hidden in unsuspecting places to enhance the stylistic interface, making them inconvenient and inaccessible to new users. This new update offers little improvement, and is a complete downgrade from the old version of Notability in terms of practicality and efficiency. All of this is not to mention the note limit and user limits, which once reached, locks your notes into read-only, and must require a subscription to edit again. Again, while the interface may look fresh and sleek, the complete ignorance towards the need of users is what defines this new update as a useless liability. Aesthetics are not what we look for when downloading note taking apps, and now when using Notability, which once was a convenient turn-to for assignments that offered user-friendly functions, has now become a frustrating battle against unnecessary, newly added, stylistic features. We did not need this, so please at least add an option to change it back..HaventusedityetbutamexcitedVersion: 14.0.2

✓ You have to pay to use to its full potentialAs a student who used this app, it does the job well. You can import assignments from Google Classroom (if you have Google Drive) to this app to take notes very efficiently. It has a decent amount of features that a pupil can use to take notes or annotate their assignments. However I don’t this app is worth installing if you are a using this app for a majority of users out there. After you annotate 1 page, you have to pay for Notability + to have unlimited amount of pages. Not only that, it has issues like typing in notability, lack of styles of pages (like grids/lines you would find in loose leaf paper), and occasional frame drops when drawing or scribing something (which would make this a horrible drawing app lol). Overall, as for annotating, it’s a solid app if you’re just using for that. For writing, it’s pretty meh. For typing or drawing, it’s just plain awful. I heard you can make neat littles lines, parabolas, or geometrical shapes if you hold down after you finished your drawing. Just don’t expect to pass art school with this app as a whole. Also, please use a donation system for an app like Wikipedia instead of a premium system which limits others from using other features, or this entire app. It’ll make this app very attractive for pretty much everyone out there or even students that lost their school issued devices and want to use their own. I hope this review will at least be useful to you guys..Finn GurmyasVersion: 11.7.7

✓ This useTo be a fantastic app. Now I'm using Apple Books as it allows me to work and listen to an audiobook or music. The Notability app has a negative effect on all audio..YhbgtrfvVersion: 10.4.4

✓ This app could be the crème de la crème, if only…This app has almost everything anyone who is going to school could ask for, except one very vital thing, that I know for me makes this app a total nightmare to use. This app is great for grabbing PDF file imports and webpage imports for references, which I need lots and lots for my masters program that I am in. However, the organization of this app is a logistical nightmare! Trying to separate the pages is difficult since they all seem to download into the “new” directory, and then once you locate them, putting them in any orderly fashion is nearly impossible. Why haven’t you, with such a wonderful app, been able how to figure out how to add notebooks and folders? Notebooks for the class subjects, so we could create a folder called something like “625 BUS Ethical Business Practice” and then have file folders within the notebooks to put out PDF files that we need for our weekly research papers, and then have them accumulated for reference if we wanted to use them for our final 10-15 page papers, without having to try and sort through all of the pdf files that have been downloaded again. Because the organization of files is so difficult to do, and working full time and school, I don’t have time to try and force this program to work the I want it to work..RaineraVersion: 11.0.13

✓ LifesaverLOVE LOVE this app. I’ll probably get into medschool now! Love the new upgrades that allow partial eraser, photo rotation and MORE SHAPES!!!!! So glad I researched and decided on features that actually matter. Thankfully now everything lacking between notability and its competitors is now available! If I am being fussy and spoiled- it would be nice to be able to view pages side by side within the same Note for some quick comparison/ copy/ paste action... but I am able to do the old scroll if I must. I find I am now frustrated in my day to day life as information collating and manipulation is NEVER as easy as it is with notability... tbh it’s probably ruined me.PremixerVersion: 9.0.2

✓ What’s happened??This app was functioning fantastically, until a few recent updates. Firstly, I noticed when inserting images that it no longer displays the most recent image first. This is incredibly frustrating when taking notes from lectures, as I now have to scroll down in order to access the most recent images. I would say it takes about 5-10x longer, especially for long lectures where I will have to scroll through dozens of photos to get to the one I want, rather than it being on top. After the update today, I noticed that the lines no longer stick to the words, and so you end up with lines on the page going haphazardly through words. Previously, the lines on the page would move up and down dynamically so as to keep the words on the line - however, now the lines are static and regularly-spaced down the page, which does not match the words I’m typing. This looks awful. I have since turned off the lines on the document that I am currently working on, but it just looks terrible. Please fix these things, and stop making unnecessary changes. The only reason that I’m still using Notability is for continuity this semester - however, I am very much considering switching, unless something changes..Willbird219Version: 10.4.2

✓ FraudI just paid for the app, and now you said that I should pay monthly after a year! This is a total fraud! You never mentioned we need to pay monthly!.Howard H LiaoVersion: 11.0.1

✓ PUT ZOOM VIEW BACK ON THE PAGE PLEASE GODI’ve had this app for 6 years. I had to switch accounts a little over a year ago and now I have pay an additional 15 a year? Would be more accepting of the price increase if the app wasn’t getting objectively worse in the meantime. Thinking about switching to GoodNotes and if that doesn’t work I guess I’m going back to paper. This is borderline unusable. Most updates this app has undergone since I started using it have made it worse in one way or another but this last one is just kind of ridiculous. The new layout is awful, the interface is unrecognizable, the floating tool bar is a pain, all the useful features have been moved around or hidden to make way for a selection of significantly less relevant new ones. It all feels like change for the sake of change without real consideration for utility, and the app has been glitching constantly since. Genuinely pretty sad about it and really hoping at least a couple of the changes are reversed. Please don’t waste your money on it. And if anyone at corporate ever reads this- please, please, please take zoom view back out of settings. Or at least make adding it to the toolbar an option. It is such an unbelievable pain to have to go through multiple steps to get to it every time I want to write. Especially because you have to exit zoom to copy/paste, move things around, etc. It makes such a big difference to just have it out there on the screen..StopitplsidontubderstandVersion: 14.2.3

✓ Do not buy - Orwellian DoublespeakSo Notability is now “free” but you’ll have to buy a subscription to continue to enjoy the basic features (cloud storage, unlimited editing of your notes) previously included in your purchase. Oh, and they didn’t opt for this subscription model to maximize profit but to give more people access to this hobbled trial version. As if they couldn’t offer a hobbled trial version without moving to a subscription model. Come on Colin Gilboy. This pretense that it’s now free is insulting. I’ve used and recommended Notability practically since it’s inception. And I’m an educator who won’t be personally impacted by this move, at least until you decide students and educators can be squeezed along with the rest of your users. But no more. I will never again recommend Notability to my students or colleagues. Instead, I will go out of my way to tell anyone and everyone AVOID BUYING ANYTHING FROM GINGER LABS. What get’s me heated is not the change in model but the pretense that you’re making the app “free” when in fact you’re eliminating (setting an expiration date on) functionality for which I’ve already paid. If you need a subscription model to adapt/grow, then own up to it. Don’t insult your customers by pretending you’re not doing what you’re obviously doing. There’s nothing “free” about charging customers a monthly fee to retain functionality they’ve already purchased..Pargiter6Version: 11.0.1

✓ Not a trustworthy and respectful developing team🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮Everyone knows abt their new subscription policy, very disappointing. I purchased both iPhone and Mac version just to show the support of how much I enjoy using Notability on iPad, despite I don’t even use them elsewhere than iPad. Now I really regretted. Honestly the subscription fee is nothing to me, it’s the attitude and decision that they make really hurts ppl’s feeling. It also make me look like a fool since I have recommended this app to so many ppl around me. 😇😇😇 There are many old users out there struggling, trying to export their notes. Despite the fact, I might be using this app until the day that my self esteem defeats my laziness. But it does not contrast to me as an old user, will keep trashing Notability to everyone around me and try my best to stop any possible new user to use this app. 🗑🗑🗑 Maybe the developer think that they have earned all this due to their good techniques, please remember the reputation was also built by all the users around the world. Think about all those YouTubers who uploaded video about this app. 🤔🤔🤔👎 “Morality doesnt constrain capitalism” suits this event. And I hope one day you will get a taste of it and hopefully it’s not something as minor as a personal replaceable noting app😊😊😊 Best wishes to the developers you guys can definitely earn a hell lot from the subscriptions💵💵💵.🤩🧋🥸Version: 11.0.1

✓ New update is horrible… so horrible that I am considering going to GoodnotesI have been an avid notability user for many years now. It has gotten me through all of high school and my first year of college. However, my notability has just updated and I hate being on this app now. WHY did you feel the need to delete favorites bar?!?! It was easy AND convenient. Now I have to search through all of the colors and pen sizes to get the perfect pen. Not only that but the new pencil you added is DISGUSTINGGG. I get people wanna sketch but come on… this is notability. People use this app for school work. Trust me when I say, no one wanted a pencil feature. Another feature that I loved that is gone, is the zoom mode button. Before, it was so easily accessible. I could just press a button and boom zoom mode activated. Now I have to go through A BILLION steps to activate it and then ANOTHER billion steps to turn it off. It’s just so wild to me how Notability creators can take such a beautiful app and turn it into something so god d*** ugly. The new font is really ugly too. Never would I imagine myself writing a one star review for my used-to-be favorite app. Notability creators, I beg you please go back to the old notability. This new update is not usable anymore and I am so upset. It breaks my heart that I have to transfer to goodnotes. Notability, I can’t believe you. One star for me..NotabilityhateryousuckVersion: 14.2

✓ Don’t limit my note editsThis is an amazing app, don’t get me wrong, I love the audio and writing feature! If I could use this app in school (my school blocks every app Cus my iPad is a required school iPad) I would use it in lessons like languages and history all the time! But…. If you like to come back to your notes again and again, adding to them, you will run out of note edits. In my first TWO days of using the app I got a notification saying I had limited edits. I thought it was for that one note but NO! It was for all of them! Look I understand that they need to make money, and can’t use ads because it disrupts study flow. I get it. But make it like before when it was a one time purchase for all features! It would be a lot better! Whether you download it for free then buy all the features or an outright purchase, I don’t care! Please Notability take the critique into count, and all users, be wary when downloading the app..HoshiBunnyVersion: 11.0.17

✓ Themes are not free...Why though?,why so greedy?! I just don’t understand why charging for something when u already sold the app, is not that I’m having a trial!!!!.The victim 00Version: 9.0.6

✓ Lots of potentialI’ve only just downloaded this app and can see it has a lot of potential. I am still getting to grips with it, but like what I have seen so far. A couple of things that would improve it:- The option to lock or protect a project so anyone in the family using my iPad can’t read my scribbles. There may be a way to do this but so far I can’t figure it out. The option to sort contents of each project differently. For instance, in a diary i might like to sort by ‘date created’ but in another project I might like to sort ‘by name’. Currently if I change the setting for one project, it also changes it for the others, which is a little frustrating. I’m looking forward to using this more and like being able to create my own templates or choose from a selection of others in the gallery..JulesthemusicfanVersion: 14.7.1

✓ Dev removing features and switching to sub onlyI’d change this to half a star if I could… I paid for this on multiple platforms, and now the developer has switched to a subscription only model… Not only that, but the free tier has ridiculous limitations, only giving you a certain number of ‘edits’ per month. They are removing features to try and force you to pay again for an app you have already paid for. Absolute scum move. I would never subscribe to an app developed by this team..J0rdanFVersion: 11.0

✓ Why freemiumBought this app a couple years ago so I wouldn’t have to pay annual and now they’re changing it, you should have given all old users the subscription forever and start charging new customers annually. Not happy, choose a different note taking app over this. This is one of my first reviews on here because it’s so scummy to change payment models like that..LazyjhVersion: 11.0

✓ New Format Is WorseI’ve used Notability since 2016, and while some of the smaller updates since then have been wonderful (like being able to add new colors, slight format changes, etc.), this totally new format is less easy to use. It’s not just about having to relearn a few things - that was expected - but the functionality is less intuitive and makes it more work to do simple things. Before, I used to be able to easily press the little button on the bottom right corner for the zoom-in feature, now I have to go to the top right within a note to see settings, THEN press the zoom feature, every time? I know there’s another setting to be able to press and hold for it to come up, but it doesn’t work super well, and again -> less intuitive to figure out, especially for new users. Also, when zoomed in, it takes more work to change colors, utensils, undo, redo, etc. when the bar for those features is not automatically brought closer to the zoom-in section the way it used to be. I don’t understand why these updates were made when it makes every little thing take so much longer to write, draw, and edit by hand. The only thing that doesn’t take longer is typing, but there’s plenty of apps that can do that — the reason I chose to use Notability in the first place was to be able to hand write/draw over things quickly, which was working great…until this new format..Icedcoffee33Version: 14.2.2

✓ Solid, but could easily be betterThe app is solid, as everyone else has already pointed out. The thing is, it could easily be better for those that like tiered organization. If you’re using a divider for a subject, you can’t use dividers within that subject. Dividers are meant to /divide/. The app describes a “divider” as “dividers group subjects,” which is literally not the definition of dividing. GoodNotes’ organization system is bounds better, but this one has a few features that make me stay with it. It would be perfect if they just added additional organization levels, but it’s a real hinderance for the schooling that I do between my engineering major and sociology minor. Update: I moved to Apple during my internship 2 years ago. For school, I try limiting everything to just my iPad and MacBook. I even get digital copies of my textbooks. I used Notability and GoodNotes to try testing which was better. They each had their pros and cons. What ended up nudging me to GoodNotes was how engaged they were with their forums and feature requests. I forgot what Notability didn't have, but it was a big thing people had been requesting for literal years. In their feature request forums, there was absolutely no engagement from the devs. I knew they were only making this product for money. Now they're going subscription based? Especially with lack of interest for customer input? Lame..ThatThomasGuy13Version: 11.0.6

✓ Why free?I started using this app as even their free features are good, but now I was informed that the “free” standard subscription is limited for a time period, then I will loose all my notes. If your app is not totally free then charge for it since the beginning so people would not loose their time with this garbage. If you’re willing to pay the annual subscription then don’t even try to download this app..Alrik12Version: 11.0.6

✓ My notes aren’t loadingNotability is overall good, but my notes sometimes don’t seem to appear sometimes. I download a slide and annotate it but when I come back to it doesn’t load. Just turns into a blank file. Please fix this because this is incredibly annoying.JihyoungVersion: 12.1.12

✓ Great new features — same ol’ crippling iCloud issuesI once viewed Notability as the pinnacle of stability on iOS. I trusted more than system apps, and used it thoroughly for university, with iCloud syncing between iPad, iPhone and Mac. As other reviews have mentioned, something happened a few updates ago that has fundamentally broken the app for iCloud users. Nearly every time I open the app, it has to redownload the entire library of files and sort them into their Subject folders, basically unusable for the (long) duration of this. I had held hope that a bug fix update was in the works, and the large recent update had me optimistic that the situation would be better. But despite some seriously great features added, the issue remains the same, and I can not recommend the application until the issue is resolved. My partner, who also uses Notability and has ~700 files saved, is now in the situation where they do not trust the application to keep things safe, and is having to export out each file to a safer format. The new features in this update kind of makes the situation worse, because I really want to use Notability. But it’s basically unusable for me, which is supremely disappointing. I encourage the developers to reach out about this issue, and I would love to be able to change my score to five-stars once this serious bug is fixed..Pri0ndiseaseVersion: 8.0.1

✓ Version 14 has ruined this app for meThe “new and improved” Notability is anything but. The floating toolbar is intrusive and limited in placement. They removed the favourites bar (a bar which allowed you to save your most used tools and settings that you could access with a single click), this “update” may just be the single worst decision a company has ever made in the “productivity” space. They moved the back button, the BACK button, for no other reason than “new and improved” (again, anything but). It’s a shame really, because some of the added features such as easier to add images are actually good, but they are farrrrr outweighed by the terrible removals/changes to the core model. This update is the epitome of “don’t fix what ain’t broke”. I’ll be cancelling my subscription and changing apps until they change it back..Teacher ODVersion: 14.1

✓ Horribly buggy since last updateWill randomly place cropped pieces of the document over the document when you scroll or zoom in or out. You have to manually remove them. Incredibly annoying and I am close to trying a new app to annotate pdfs. A huge shame because the app was amazing and simple before the update. Sure a pencil that you can do artworks with shading and adapts to the pressure and position of the pen you use is really cool, but not if it introduces bugs that breaks the usability of what the app was originally intended for..AnnoyedSausageVersion: 12.0.4

✓ Disappointed with recent updatesDO NOT BUY THIS APP; CHECK REVIEWS: NO POSITIVE REVIEWS FOR LAST YEAR….THIS IS A RUINED APP….USED TO BE BRILLIANT: have come to update this since the text I submitted below…it is even worse than what I have said…you cannot rename documents on the iOS version without going through a ridiculous procedure, that continually does not work but kicks you back into the document itself…GET THIS; in 2023 you cannot select all text in a document name and delete it, instead you have to backspace out the names, BUT you can’t even hold your finger down on the backspace…you have to tap it for every letter…otherwise it simply kicks you into the document…it is ludicrous and completely inconvenient…which is the point of a note taking app…look elsewhere if you want convenience. I was using this to mark work as a teacher….won’t be anymore as the renaming of documents on iOS (and I deal with hundreds of documents) is now SOOO slow….you were able to open the note and change the name in the note itself, it also let you highlight the name and delete it in one go….NOW I have to hold my finger on the note, wait for it to pop out a menu, choose rename and then backspace out the text that is in there….takes an extra couple of minutes….that’s hundreds of extra couple of minutes that I don’t have 👎.DohorioVersion: 14.1.1

✓ Awful Business practiceWith the recent announcement of switching to a subscription based app, this app has just lost all credibility. I paid full price for this all to access its features and software fully. A one time payment plain and simple. You can guarantee that I will not continue with a subscription. Off to look for a new note taking up!.2vpblazeVersion: 11.0.1

✓ Why？Let my money back, trash company.Zero616616Version: 11.0.1

✓ New Notability and LaggyOk, the new notability is ok, although I would think we could edit where which slot I could put the pen tool and stuff. I hate the pencil tool so I want to delete that. But for the most part, the most important part of an app is not to lag. Notability keeps freezing on my phone. An iPhone 14 Pro? Like that’s a big issue. In addition, the iPad version is also glitchy like that. It sometimes freezes like the phone version but not as bad. The iPhone version just completely freezes and no buttons work. It’s definitely not to do with the phone because I can scroll down to the Notification Centre with absolutely not lag or freezing. Overall, with these issues fixed, I think the app would do pretty well..Vwya qbebs wgqcxwVersion: 14.0.2

✓ I paid for this app and for its features which is now subscription basedWhat? I literally paid for this note taking app, I’m glad it’s free now but where’s the features I bought? iCloud sync is now a monthly subscription feature? I’m so confused and extremely disappointed..Aayush29Version: 11.0

✓ Giving upI've used Notability for years, but have finally given up. Overall, it's a good App, but still lacks a lot of functionality that other note apps have. However, Notability continues to have issues regarding saving notes and working with iCloud. Last week, I lost over 100 notes and all my notebooks (36) have been lost. I have followed all the instructions online to try and recover, but with no luck. I know they are there in iCloud as the Notability app has not changed regarding memory usage. For some reason, those notes and notebooks are lost. Notability has a serious issue of linking with iCloud. So many times my notes had to be downloaded to my iPad every time I opened Notability. Every time before I boarded a plane, I made sure my notes where downloaded. I can't tell you how many times I have download partial notes because I didn't have time to download the remaining before boarding. In the end, Notability blames iCloud, but not another single app that I use linked to iCloud has this problem. So, I'm done with Notability. I HIGHLY recommend that if you do use this app to make sure you backup to another cloud service (Dropbox, Google, etc.). Good App, but I have lost all faith in this App going forward. More importantly, I need the confidence that my note App will function at all times. Notability failed that important test..Richshar1Version: 10.4.5

✓ ScamPaid a stupid amount of money to unlock the full app for a “lifetime” only to have to pay a subscription after one year. Do not buy.Dd5509Version: 11.0.1

✓ Terrible - Notes keep deleting/disappearing (0 stars)I have had so many of my notes disappear, or half of the pages delete, or (if I’ve downloaded a PDF and written over the top of it), the writing disappears. I am currently at uni and the notes I take are not only time consuming, but extremely important and the fact that this app can so easily delete, change, or remove the notes is absolutely despicable. I have no idea how many other of my notes have been affected as I only become aware of it when I’m looking for a particular set of notes and I can’t find it, or I find a particular set of notes and when I open it half the pages are missing/my writing has been removed (on PDFs). If you want to get the job done, then choose absolutely any other note taking app than this one. In addition to this, it uses a lot of my iPad’s battery. I have been in contact with someone via Facebook Messenger, but all of a sudden they stopped replying - pretty terrible customer service if you ask me. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have even downloaded this app if it were for free (let alone the $14 I paid for it - absolute waste).Notability is TerribleVersion: 9.3.4

✓ Have loved this app for years, and then…I will start by saying notability has been an amazing note-taking app for me. I purchased notability for iOS and macOS. Two separate purchases. The reason for the one star review though is the planned change in their pricing structure. Giger labs has determined it best to transition to a subscription model. I don’t mind this on it’s own. Where I take issue is that they are legit removing features such as iCloud sync, hand-writing detection, and math from the upcoming “free version”. These are not new features- but instead features that were added in previously to those who paid for the app, essentially crippling our versions and “stealing” our money. Ginger labs are going about this transition all wrong. If they want a better model, look at fantastical. They too transitioned to a subscription, but when they did, all the features added up to that point still accessible to those who previously paid for the app. I strongly believe that Ginger Lab’s plan to lock away features previously provided to those who paid for the app amounts to theft, and unless this policy is changed, I suggest everyone who bought this app files a complaint with the BBB, Apple, and their State’s attorney General. For those that have paid for this app, please do not update to subscription until they change course. Goodnotes is also a wonderful not taking app, and even Apple notes has become pretty darn good..TheGreenMilesVersion: 11.0

✓ I’ve never had this issue beforeI’ve been using Notability for about 7 years now. As a student, it is important to make sure you don’t miss any information and sometimes that can be difficult if the professor goes too fast. One tool that I started using about 3 years ago was the microphone to record lectures. I loved it because I could follow along with what the professor was saying and what I wrote as well. Right now I’m really upset with Notability because of a bug. Recently I’ve been having problems when I completely close out of the app. Not only are my recordings getting deleted, but so are my notes!!! That’s a major problem that needs to be fixed immediately. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find an app quite like notability, so I will have to stick with good old fashioned pen and paper until this problem is resolved. I’ve also been having problems with the other tools. I usually have no problem with changing colors, font sizes, or anything related to that nature but I can’t even do that anymore! This isn’t a huge issue as I can still select the right tool, but it’s hard to organize my notes. I also can’t create subjects or dividers anymore which is driving me insane! It’s the beginning of the semester which means I need to be able to organize myself from the start to work efficiently throughout the rest of the semester. I’ve never had any issues with this app before, but these are some major problems that need to be fixed before I continue using it..Horse girl 710Version: 9.2.2

✓ A great note taking app for school but the Bugs are becoming annoyingThis app could probably be the best note taking app for students just because of the recording feature. The tools up top are fine but they are missing so much compared to GoodNotes. Most of the size for the Pen are useless. After the 4th or 5th size the strokes become way too big for any practical purpose. Same thing with the highlighter except it the opposite. The varying sizes for the erasers is great though because I can basically erase pixels or entire sentences if needed. The cut and paste tool will not select small strokes or words for whatever reason, so sometimes I’m forced to erase and redraw or write. Other than that its works great. Seriously the only tool carrying this app is the Recording feature, GoodNotes has them beat in every other department. (I never mentioned the lack of templates). If GoodNotes has that feature I would go back to GoodNotes immediately, but they don’t so I stay with Notability. Now the bugs are getting annoying. I cant go a 1 minute without my lines not drawing or the app freezing or the zoom in feature freezing the app. Also the random shapes I get when writing sometimes that I cant delete with the back button and for some reason can only be removed by the eraser. Idk maybe these bugs will eventually send me back to GoodNotes and lectures will have to be recorded the hard way..Rico_927Version: 9.2.4

✓ Change in app useI got this app in my first year of uni and thought it was a great investment as it is so much better than the stock iOS notes app…however the introduction of a subscription AFTER I’ve paid for the app is so scummy in my opinion. I paid 2 years ago for an app I don’t use daily, only every now and again, so I thought it was a worthy upgrade. The change to a subscription however is not okay with me as I don’t want to pay for an app that I won’t use that much and I’d rather know that once I’ve paid I own it forever instead of it working off of a subscription. I’m truly disappointed that notability have done this change and although I did enjoy the app, the free year to those who have paid is not enough to keep me with the app when there’s much better alternatives at either a free or one off price point. Hopefully they change it back but this change is not okay with me.Petko N KVersion: 11.0

✓ New update is annoyingThe new update is annoying and has created issues which weren’t present before it. The resigned tab on top is tedious and now you have to constantly tap because anything you need is hidden behind a number of icons. Instead of decluttering the page the bar takes up the same space because no bodies gonna be writing in the corner of the page so it does the same job with more hassle. Secondly I’ve always had issues with this from before any updates but whenever I charge my iPad and write with the pencil it decides to draw random lines or put random dots all over the page, when my chargers out this doesn’t seem to be the case. These sorts of issues are what should’ve been fixed and not completely changing the interface to a more crappy version.Kadz2000Version: 14.0.3

✓ V14 ruined itNotability went from best to worst overnight: v14. They removed the good features such as the favourites toolbar, made a floating toolbar and very clunky “modern” ui..BN750Version: 14.4.1

✓ The worst customer supportI love this app, it is definitely the best for note taking on a tablet out there. However, I had a performance issue last year and I tried to contact support and no one ever got back to me. I’ve had similar issues and didn’t bother reaching out because I knew it would be futile. In my opinion, a product can be mediocre, but if it has great customer service, that sets it apart. Notability is the opposite. The product is great (in theory), but whenever there are issues, there is no support. This app is constantly glitching, between the handwriting jumping around the page randomly, not allowing me to close out of the right side menu that allows you to search in the document, or the most annoying bug where a note scrolls to the bottom of a page and will not let you go back to the top until you close out of the app. Currently, I am having an issue where I have two notes open at once (one is a pdf of my textbook, and one is the notes I am taking from it), and there are numerous problems, including those I just mentioned, as well as tools not working as I am trying to go back and forth writing on both documents. This is the best notetaking app I’ve tried, but the constant bugs are extremely frustrating when this is the main mode I use to read textbooks, take notes, and get homework done..(ง ͠° ͟J ͡°)งVersion: 10.0.2

✓ Bait and SwitchThe developers of this app are literal scum. They create an app that they charge up front for and then decide arbitrarily that they are going to void that (whilst keeping your money) and change to subscription based platform. DO NOT BUY. You have been warned..LinearContinuumVersion: 11.0.1

✓ Great app, shame about the battery drain.I love this app for note taking. It’s extremely useful for visual drawing out notes as well as typing them, recording lectures, integrating images and photos and will allow handwriting search as well as letting you see what you were recording when you wrote a specific part of your note. It works well with Apple Pencil as well as without, and you can export your notes as PDFs to share them, and save everything to Dropbox or wherever you store your files. I love almost every feature of it, except the fact that it drains my battery like a straw, and it’s only getting worse with each update. It’s reached the point where it uses about 1% of my iPad Pro battery every 2-3 minutes (i.e. it is draining 20-30% per hour). This isn’t happening with any other apps, and my battery health is good. I still use it, but it’s becoming less and less usable, as I have to turn the brightness down to nothing and turn the screen off as much as possible to stop it from running out of battery halfway through the day. For a note taking app, this is really limiting. I’m fine with my iPad being drained after 6 or 7 hours, but 3-5 is too short, especially if it might be three and not five. Hopefully the developers can do something about it because if it weren’t for this it would be 5*.AHudson3Version: 9.2.3

✓ Bad syncing, but good interfaceI often have a problem with notes written on PDFs where they become unavailable as they they need to be downloaded from the cloud despite having enough space to store the note. Also, when writing on a PDF the PDF will occasionally disappear leaving randomly placed words across blank pages..Fiddleford McGucketVersion: 9.3.2

✓ Notes, Nickels, and DimesI use this app for all my schoolwork. Its ability to have to notes open at a time has been essential. I have been able to have power point slides open on one half of my screen and my notes on the other, and then easily copy and paste diagrams from power points into my notes. Another amazing feature is the ability to search your own handwriting. This has made it considerably easier to search for a specific topic, when my notes become many pages long. The only downside to this app is its lack of organization. You can only create one layer of folders. Meaning instead of being able to have sub folders for each of my classes such as exams, quizzes, homework, notes, etc. I am only able to divide my content by semester and class. I really hope they add the ability to create sub folders to help with organization. Because have 30+ notes for one subject isn’t very efficient. My other big complaint is with the pricing changes. I liked how you could buy a single sticker pack or a technology piece, and you only had to pay once. However now, you have to subscribe and a pay a yearly fee to access these features. Build the cost of these features into the app, and please take away the subscription, or allow people to buy things at a slightly higher rate… but without need to pay a regular fee..Tye fighterVersion: 11.0.11

✓ July 2023 updateI have just been working with the recent update to Notability. I’m so disappointed in these changes. First of all, the previous way to create a customized set of tools was far superior. It took up less space and it was much easier to access the exact tools that I wanted. Now, I’m forced to use the main toolbar, which requires additional steps, and it takes up much more real estate on the note when placed on the side of the screen (my preference w the previous mini toolbar). The second change that has really hampered the way I use Notability is the removal of the undo and the pen tools buttons within the zoom box. Before, I could write at the bottom of my screen, and the tools that I needed were within easy reach. Now the undo button is only at the top of the screen, and the pen/erase tools are now only in the main toolbar. this might seem like a ridiculous complaint, given how the iPad screen is not that big, but as a person with a disability, the less reaching I have to do, the better. Notability was almost perfect in my eyes. They were a few changes I would’ve loved to see. Unfortunately, this update changes the some of things that I find most useful. is there a way to install the previous version? Hopefully there will be some new updates that restore some functionality..An_nepVersion: 14.0.2

✓ IssuesI’m running this app on the IPad Pro 2020. When trying to share pdf files from Chrome to this app, it has encountered errors. It has also encountered errors when typing, suddenly it freezes. Furthermore I have noticed that when creating a new note, it does not register the new note and I usually need to close the app then re-open it (refresh the app) for the app to register the content of the new note. Little problems here and there, but overall, it’s been okay..JordacusVersion: 10.1.5

✓ A staple, but disappointingUpdate: I have used this app for YEARS now through high school, college, and now medical school. I love the app and appreciate it to no ends. However, one ongoing issue I have noticed is its unreliability with downloading ppt files to PDF within the app from Canvas. I don’t know if it’s a problem with communication with canvas or just a general issue with converting to pdf within the app, but it’s annoying to have to convert all my lecture notes to pdf on my MacBook then transfer them to my iPad. It’s so unreliable I don’t think I can use only my iPad anymore, which is what my goal was. Anyway, long story short: I love this app, but it’s been frustrating for about the past year or two. The new update added better pencil integration, ,earning now it has actual pressure sensitivity rather than just the way they did it before which was through speed sensitivity determining the weight of the line drawn. This combined with the other amazing aspects of this app that I have always enjoyed make this my favorite app ever. I use it in college to take notes and annotate presentations during lecture as well as at work for taking notes during meetings or as a work log. It is simply an amazing app, well worth the money, and I look forward to continue using it with my iPad Pro through medical school. Thank you ginger labs!!!.MklawatersVersion: 7.1

✓ Not as great as I thought it would beMany issues that I don’t like. The microphone function has a lot of potential but ultimately the only thing I can hear after recording in large lecture rooms are staticky background noises and the tapping of my pencil when I’m writing. The left handed mode doesn’t make much sense to me. I’m used to functions being on the top and now functions are on the bottom and don’t actually help with being left handed. There’s also A LOT of skipping that occurs which is incredibly annoying and there are times when I will be writing a letter but it is automatically changed to a shape. When I try press the back function to erase the shape, letters written before the shape are erased so I have to use the actual eraser. In instances like that, it would be nice to have a forward function because somethings are accidentally erased but now I have to completely rewrite it. The font size for pencil and higher are completely out of wack. I tend to write pretty hard so the writing gets very thick even though I have it on a thin setting and the examples of the thickness aren’t very representative. I also wish we had more control over the colors we prefer. All default colors are first which I only use black and it comes with a bunch of colors I don’t like but can’t delete them or change them to colors I’d prefer. I came from GoodNotes and I’m very use to their functions which might be the issue but since I paid for notability I actually want to use it..AngrmtzVersion: 9.3

✓ The update is making notability losing its edgeI chose to purchase notability cus I am a fan of its professional design and the convenience it offers. I used to highlight use just one tab then write or ease with another tab now the update has caused great inconvenience. It seems to me that the goal of the update is it make the design more neat and simple but I dt need that. We use this app because we like things convenient and efficient so we don’t need this fancy stuff. If I want it pretty and fancy I will just use goodnotes in the first place. U are upsetting the loyal customers. Ps please give me back my vertical tool bar !!!!!!! I really love the design cus it’s so convenient. The new movable one is not as good cus it only give me 3 options and the old one can let me switch different tools and colours at the same time within one tab.Are u fking kidding meVersion: 14.0.2

✓ New Updates are awful and make the app extremely difficult to useI have been using this app for my university work since 2020. It holds a lot of important information and I’ve been using this to take lecture notes. Up until June 2023 it has been perfectly fine to use but in September I came back to use it and the entire app layout is topsy turvy. Everything had changed place and further more important features are missing. When duplicating notes I need to change the creation date for some of them and now that is missing and I cannot order any of my notes anymore. Also, all the features were easy to access at the top of the page, but now that bar size has decreased and more of the features have been hidden and become much more difficult to use. I wish they would change the layout to the way it has been for years and bring back all the useful old features they had. This new layout was an extremely foolish decision made by someone who definitely does not use the app or understand the definition of accessible..Rajasekar TJVersion: 14.2.4

✓ DisappointedNotability, which used to have a buy-out system (including downloads and in-app purchases), was updated to the new version on November 1, 2021, and now has a free download + subscription system (the update announcement did not specify how the subscription system will be changed). For those who bought the software under a buyout, it will only be available for a free subscription for one year, with an additional subscription fee after that. This kind of behavior violates the purchase agreement already reached with the old user, belongs to the commercial fraud. Moreover, as a note-taking software, the unsubscribed free version has limited functions including "limited note editing", and even a dot will be recorded, which means that the use of free users will be greatly restricted, so the software is also suspected of inducing consumption. The official Apple platform has the responsibility and obligation to punish such behavior..ForignVersion: 11.0.1

✓ False advertisingSubscription model is taking away functions users previously paid for.Number one One Piece LoverVersion: 11.0.1

✓ Good job freemiumThat’s why Good notes are on sale now.YuankamiVersion: 11.0.2

✓ Disappointed about the new updateI’ve been using Notability for a while, and it have always been my favorite app to use, I’ve recommended the app to many others in my school as well. However, the recent update have really disappointed me, turning from a paid app to a subscription app is really unfair for users that have already purchased the app, since the annual subscription is almost as pricey as the price of the app itself, and I think this new update should be made optional for those who have already purchased the app..一介粗人甜甜圈Version: 11.0.1

✓ Initially useful but do not invest (especially if academic)This app is quite smoothly made and serves most of its purposes well. However, if you are a serious academic, please do not squander your time. I have been in liaison with tech support for over a year, on and off, attempting to convince them to fix the iCloud issue which is the be-all-and-end-all of using this app in a serious nature: If you have more than ~1100 notes on the app, it will repeatedly attempt to back up/redownload all of them each time you open the app. During this process, you cannot access any of the queued files (even if you had them open a moment before and simply switched between apps). This happens repeatedly in an unending loop, essentially locking you out of your own documents. There NEEDS to be a fix, whereby Notability stops continually trying to back up/sync unchanged notes with iCloud. If you are affected by this, the ‘safe mode’ in the app’s iOS ‘Settings’ occasionally offers a temporary fix. So disappointed..Adam470Version: 9.2.1

✓ Great app, but stop spamming ads, please.I’ve used Notability for a long time, purchasing it before it changed to a subscription-based model. A huge gripe is I’m unable to dismiss an ad prompting me to sign up for Plus. It permanently obscures part of the page view panel and it’s obnoxious at this point. I’m far less likely to subscribe in future if you employ these sorts of tactics. It’s significantly affecting the usability of the app. Look into this, please..SolussarVersion: 14.2.1

✓ Taking two stars off for the new updateHistorically, my experience with this app has been excellent, 5 out of 5. I have over 600 individual notes, all of which are multiple pages. This app is also my app of choice for reading and annotating scientific papers. This is all to say, this app has been one of the best things about owning an iPad for me. However, they pushed a recent update (their “new notability” update) that, in my experience, has significantly degraded the quality of the experience. Favorited pen colors and sizes were removed, and they added a pencil for some reason. To be clear, I appreciate some of the new features (additional multi gesture support, the ruler, etc), but they have integrated these new features and existing features into an experience that feels clunky at best to navigate and somehow manages to run slower on an M1 iPad Pro to the point where it lags when accessing the quick note switcher (something I use heavily). One of the best parts of this app was how snappy it was to use, and how out of the way of what you need to get done the interface was. That is the big downgrade of this update; the interface now gets in my way of using this app to get what I need to do done. Notability team- I know you have people reading the reviews of your app. Take my feedback and make it right- you can have your cake and eat it too if you put some polishing work into it..Hoopla_PROVersion: 14.0.2

✓ Please add improvement to writing, searching and quick barMy hand writings appear more messy on notability and there should be quick colour switch and basic function tap like good notes 5. In addition please add options where you can only get rid of highlighter not text. Personally I prefer the layout and pages on notability but GoodNotes are better at details and handwriting experience! In addition searching for words in all documents are hard, there are words that I wrote perfectly or words on images won’t show on in all search, please fix! Improving searching functions and I lost notes before by logging into diff Apple ID! New subscription is confusing and greedy but I’m glad I still have the features I purchase from before, nevertheless any new features or purchase I didn’t have will be locked behind subscriptions for us long term notability supporters):.Davatar9Version: 11.0.2

✓ Was the best in classWas great, now it has let me down too many times. Support also ignores emails. Biggest issue is handwritten notes do not render properly when imported into the macOS version leaving the page covered in meaningless lines and drivel. Raised this several times via email and not had a single reply. Looks as though they no longer want happy users, they just want the subscriptions. Bye! Original: This has been the de facto note taking app for both my personal and business life. It spread throughout my organisation and is used by a very large percentage of my clients. The biggest part of this is the ability to record sessions as well as take notes. This then gets sync'd across all platforms allowing workflow to cross over when and where you need it most. Draw, annotate PDFs, share, print, export - it just works. Having updated my iPad to an iPad Pro, the addition of the Apple Pencil has added yet another dimension to the whole note-taking experience. Support is great, the app is simply the best..Landshark2007Version: 12.0.6

✓ Palm Rejection Problems Since UpdatingI can attest to the comments regarding the palm rejection issues after the recent update. Since the update, anytime I attempt to take class notes with the Apple Pencil results in erratic screen behavior. It will zoom in or out randomly, delete the last portion of what is written, or the screen will shift/shake. This only occurs when I am trying to write and my palm is resting on the lower portion of the screen. I have had some previous issues with palm rejection, mainly with the shifting of the screen or zoom but it has been manageable up until this update. It has become basically unusable for me in terms of handwriting since the recent update and the handwriting feature is nearly the sole purpose for purchasing the app in my case. I’ve basically had to resort to other apps for note taking because this has become nearly impossible to write on (unless I write without my palm on the screen and that is definitely not an alternative for me). After reading the previous comments, I have already performed a hard reset of my iPad (an iPad Pro 11” on iOS 12.3), turned off the palm rejection feature in Notability and turned it back on, and finally uninstalled the app completely then reinstalled. None of these attempts have rendered any improvement. Hopefully this is something that can be investigated by the developer and corrected quickly as this has been my preferred app for note taking..RobPraterVersion: 8.4.5

✓ Not sure what the hype is all about..So, here’s the thing. There are a lot of note taking apps on the market. I feel like if you want a quality one, maybe you need to pay for it. So, I purchased this one and Good Notes. I’ve used Evernote and Microsoft OneNote as well. Nothing sets this apart from competitors besides the price. And please beware: that price for the iOS app does not include the desktop app. That’s a separate charge. You can’t access it through a browser either. That’s a huge negative in my opinion. Additionally, sometimes this app will crash (like during iOS updates) and you’ll lose your subjects and dividers. So, there’s a way to get your subjects back, but you’re out of luck with your dividers. What does this mean? It means that all of the classes you’ve set up for multiple semesters will be wiped out. Whatever was organized under is able to be obtained, but you have to go back through and sort all of it. Do you know what an incredibly awful and tedious task that is? When you contact their customer service, they’re basically just like “Oh, sorryyyyy yeah we don’t care.” If you’re still reading this, oh hey. One last final note: don’t waste your money. I’ve tried them all and think Microsoft OneNote is really the way to go. It’s free, you get cloud storage, the app on the computer is free, and you get full functionality of program. Recent updates means it does EXACTLY what notability does..Mandy VanzVersion: 8.2.9

✓ Removed edit option, are you kidding me??Updated notability and found out they removed “unlimited” editing unless I upgrade for $16/year. Absolutely unacceptable, I use this app for vet school…not anymore, currently trying to find a way to switch everything to GoodNotes. Seriously, anyone who is even considering using this app, just don’t. P.S. Thanks Notability for implementing this “feature” 3 days before my midterms starts…..C_T223Version: 14.2.6

✓ App almost unusable with new update.This app used to be amazing for taking notes. I use it for all my senior school notes, and due to its simplicity of use and useful features such as the favourites bar, it has been better than all of its competitors. However now with the new update, the whole app has changed for the worse, removing the original functionality that once set it apart from other note taking apps. The removal of the favourites bar, coupled with the change of the toolbar up top has made the once amazing app turn to almost unusable. One look at the most recent app reviews also shows that most of the notability users are not happy with the newest update. I suggest that the changes be revoked, or users be given a choice between layouts..Lazycowsleeps69Version: 14.1.1

✓ Subscription? No thanks.So disappointed that Notability has become a subscription app without grandfathering in a plan for the users who actually purchased the app (and possibly add-ons too) the way other apps have done. It almost feels fraudulent to have services you paid for in good faith taken away. Went from a 5 star app to a 1 star for me. I don’t do subscriptions, so guess I’ll be switching to Goodnotes..JennLynn1Version: 11.0.1

✓ Really bad decision for the subscription policyWas a normal application with many bugs, for example night mode switch overnight, however the violate of the “single time purchase” is just pure scam, not recommended at all, good notes is on 50% off, don’t miss it.MedicAgVersion: 11.0.1

✓ Battery drain issue!Please fix the battery drain issue asap! This happened since the update of IPadOS. The battery just drains 20% within an hour use!.Molson1132Version: 9.1.4

✓ Some issuesI used to love this app, but am increasingly finding it frustrating. I create documents that include a lot of hand written notes and diagrams, and find that I regularly lose parts of this when I edit the document by deleting pages (i.e. handwritten text and diagrams that appear after the page deletion in the document disappear either completely or partially). This can be worked around by taking regular copies of the documents and reintroducing information that has been lost, but this is far from ideal. Especially as the text is often equations, and missing a sign or digit can be a huge problem. I also find that when I do a lot of editing in Notability this can cause my entire iPad (i.e. across multiple apps) to become unpredictable and slow in its responses. Aside from these problems, the app is very good. The ability to cut, copy, and move specific parts of handwritten text and diagrams provides incredible flexibility. If it wasn’t for the aforementioned problems, this would be a five star rating..Beautiful_dissonanceVersion: 10.1.1

✓ Love the minimalist setup but lots of annoying errorsSwitched to notability at the start of this semester purely due to the love for the beautiful page set up. Previously used GoodNotes for all my lecture note taking and even though the topbar are not as pretty, suits all the purpose and the mac sync is amazing. For notability, the eraser sometimes just does not work at all and leaves an ugly mark that CANNOT be removed by eraser, the screen will get stuck for no reason which is really annoying had to restart during the lecture. But the most annoying thing happened today- I tried to sync the notes with iCloud but had to quit in the middle because I can’t stand the waiting time so I did the usual thing- restart. Now more than half my notes are gone thank you very much notability and I haven’t figure out how to SYNC on my MacBook. So disappointed and definitely reconsider if you are like me who switched from GoodNotes.VerydisappointednotabilityuserVersion: 8.1

✓ GREEDY SCAMPaid for lifetime services. Not even after one year, the app is now “free” and forces us, the loyal customers who paid for the full service, to switch to a subscription plan just to keep the same functionalities THAT WE PAID FOR. Such a greedy company. Will switch to other apps..VeggieslgVersion: 11.0.1

✓ Slays, but what extent???Notability was amazing, I study for all my classes, took down hundreds of pages worth of notes, the features, design and usefulness were extremely helpful and allowed me to properly and effectively take notes, do assignments and record lessons comfortably. However. Day of my math exam, I went into notability, with the intentions of looking at my terms worth of math notes, only to be met with a loading screen. This didnt bother me much as I thought it would eventually load, but alas, it did not. Instead, it KICKED ME OUT of the app, and after multiple attempts of getting back in, turning on and off my ipad and a range of other things, i decided to delete it. I would have never delete it if i had known what was yet to come. Notability says that they back up your notes on iCloud, and I definitely have space so that wasnt the issue, but to my dismay, when i clicked back on (after a day of the app loading/ installing), My notes were nowhere to be seen. If it wasn’t assessment week and I didnt have every single note on there, I probably wouldnt mind, however, If i inevitably fail my math exam, I am blaming it on you notability. XOXO gossip girl 💋💋💋.Ariya (the slayer)Version: 11.8.4

✓ Lost access to all featuresI purchased Notability back in 2019 (in fact I purchased it twice back when you had to pay for the iOS and Mac apps separately) and I was granted the full Classic plan when the company switched to a subscription model. As of last week, I am unable to use the features of the app as I have suddenly been downgraded to the free tier plan without notice or explanation. I’ve contacted Notability support all they’ve provided me is a regurgitation of the same troubleshooting steps posted on their site for general subscription issues along with an assurance that this is a “known issue”. Here I am, a paying customer, unable to use the app I’ve purchased during a crucial time in my studies. This is unacceptable..Cabdi97Version: 12.1.12

✓ Awesome but needs a bit of improvementI’ve been using this app uni and it is awesome. Annotating slides instead of writing everything down has never been easier. By far the best note taking app I have ever come across . But there is a minor issue. The filing system needs to be improved. It would be cool if we could create subject covers (not just colours like actual book covers) and also place divided files in subjects instead of it being all on the one side..BrokeunistudentVersion: 9.0.5

✓ Solid AppGood App, shame about the issues over the subscription model and the awful implementation. It will take time for customers to build trust in the developers again… I hope they stick to their word and keep this free for this who paid and support the app too..AuthselfVersion: 11.0.6

✓ Too bad for existing usersThey betrayed all the users who supported them in the past years. I won’t use it any more. Greedy company!.VkbssVersion: 11.0.1

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