Standard Notes
A cross-platform end-to-end encrypted notes application with tags, editor extensions, offline editing and multi-device synchronization, plus export and recovery workflows for long-term notes.
What Standard Notes does
Standard Notes combines encrypted synchronization, tags and multi-device editing in one account workflow. It supports desktop, mobile and web access, while offline editing lets a device continue recording until a network becomes available. Encryption does not remove the need to protect account recovery material, device locks and local copies.
Editors, sync and migration
Tags create stable retrieval paths and editor extensions support different content types. Keep core tags consistent, test attachments and rich content across devices, and export a sample before migrating. Self-hosting adds a server, domain, certificate, backup, upgrade and client-compatibility boundary; a client opening successfully does not prove that recovery is ready.
Maintenance note
This page reviews Standard Notes 3.201.21, end-to-end encryption, tags, editor extensions, offline use, multi-device sync, self-hosting and AGPL-3.0 boundaries. Content review date: 2026-08-23.
Save to your cloud drive
Open the cloud drive to get the file directly, or save it for convenient access on another device.
Quark Cloud Drive
RecommendedSave Standard Notes to this cloud drive
Baidu Netdisk
Save Standard Notes to this cloud drive
Standard Notes 3.201.21 encryption and synchronization guide
Start with a test account and a small notebook, verify encryption, tags, offline editing and sync, then rehearse export and recovery before migrating a full archive.
Before you start
- Choose Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS or web, and prepare a test account and an independent export directory.
- Save account recovery material separately and confirm device locks, storage permissions and network conditions.
- Prepare samples containing Chinese text, lists, code, tags and attachments for cross-device testing.
Installation steps
- 01
Install and sign in to a test account
Install the platform build, check language, notifications and local storage permissions, then create a test tag and sample notes.
- 02
Confirm encryption and sync
Follow the encryption setup, store recovery material, and wait for the first synchronization cycle to complete on one device.
- 03
Add devices one at a time
Add one device, compare notes, tags, editor types and attachments, and only continue after the device reaches a stable sync state.
Quick start
- 01
Build a small tag system
Use a few stable tags for topic and status, avoid one-off tags for every note, and test search with Chinese keywords.
- 02
Test offline editing
Disconnect the network, edit a sample note, reconnect and observe synchronization or conflict notices before touching long-term material.
- 03
Export and verify recovery
Export notes and structure information, import a sample into a blank account or test environment, and check text, tags, attachments and timestamps.
Usage tips
- End-to-end encryption does not replace account recovery and device security; store recovery material separately and test that it remains usable.
- Editor extensions, attachments and self-hosted services have separate version and permission boundaries, so enable them in a small test set first.
- Keep the original account copy before changing synchronization services or self-hosting, and complete login, sync and restore rehearsals before migration.
Troubleshooting and uninstall
Why are notes present but tags missing?
Check synchronization state, account identity and whether the export format includes metadata. Keep the original account copy while testing a small import.
Why does a self-hosted client not synchronize?
Check service address, certificate, version compatibility, account state and network logs with a test account before involving the production notebook.
- Export and sample-restore important notesExport key notes, tags, attachments and configuration notes, restore a sample in an independent environment and verify the retrieval paths.
- Sign out and uninstallSign out of the client account, uninstall through the operating system and clear caches only after confirming that recovery material and backups remain available.
Frequently asked questions
Are Standard Notes entries end-to-end encrypted by default?
End-to-end encrypted synchronization is a core design, while account recovery, device security and local unlock remain user responsibilities. Confirm encryption and recovery status during setup.
Can Standard Notes work offline?
Synchronized content can be edited offline and synchronized after reconnecting. Confirm the device has the latest copy and export important material regularly.
Does self-hosting automatically migrate every note?
Self-hosting requires a server, domain, certificate, backups and compatible versions. Export first and test login, sync and recovery with a sample account.