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to self

The notes app for people who text themselves. Private, encrypted, works offline.

Android, Windows, Mac

Get it on Google PlayWebsitePrivacy policy
A journal notebook shown as a chat of dated notesA notebook blurred behind a padlock, to show notes are end-to-end encryptedThe folder and notebook list in dark mode, with pinned and recent notebooksPhotos and a PDF attached to notes in a journalThe same journal on two phones, in light and dark mode

to self is a private, encrypted note-taking app built around one idea: capturing a thought should feel as natural as texting yourself.

It uses a chat-style interface where notebooks are your contacts and notes are your messages. It’s quick to open, quick to write and has nothing in the way. Use it as a notepad for fleeting ideas, a diary for your day, or a journal you actually keep up with.

Features

  • End-to-end encrypted. Notes and file attachments are encrypted on your device before anything is uploaded. The server only ever stores ciphertext, so nobody but you can read them.
  • Offline-first. Write anywhere, with or without signal. Everything is stored on your device first and backed up when you reconnect.
  • Automatic encrypted backup. Every note is backed up as you write it. Get a new phone, sign in, and everything restores as you left it.
  • Chat-style interface. Notebooks work like contacts and notes work like messages.
  • Folders and notebooks. Create and nest them however suits you, as a notepad, a diary or a full note-taking system.
  • Photos and files. Attach them to any note, encrypted like the rest.
  • Trash and restore. Deleted notes go to the trash first, so you can bring them back.
  • Import and export. Your data is yours, and you can export all of it whenever you want.

Live sync across devices

Add more devices and your notes stay in sync across all of them, still end-to-end encrypted. Live sync is part of the paid Pro subscription, with a free trial so you can try it first. The free version includes backup and restore.

Privacy

  • No ads, ever
  • No third-party analytics or crash reporters
  • No selling, sharing or profiling of your data
  • Encryption happens on your device, and the decryption keys never reach the server
  • The only permission it asks for is internet access, for backup. It doesn’t use your camera, contacts or location.

The full details are in the privacy policy.