PlainlyThe basics
Is Plainly free?
Yes. Plainly is free, with no ads, subscriptions or in-app purchases.
Does Plainly need an internet connection?
No. Plainly does not request internet permission and works fully offline, including in airplane mode.
Is there an account or cloud sync?
No. There is no account and no sync. This keeps your notes private and the app simple.
Which Android versions are supported?
Android 7.0 (Nougat) and later, on phones and tablets.
Which languages are available?
English, Turkish, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), German, Arabic, Japanese and Korean. Plainly follows your device language, and you can pick another one in Settings → Language. Arabic uses a right-to-left layout.
Your notes
Where are my notes stored?
In a private database inside the app's storage on your device. They are not uploaded anywhere.
How do I back up my notes?
Open Settings → Create backup and choose where to save the single backup file (for example, your Downloads folder or a cloud drive you already use). It includes your notes, folders, photos, custom templates and display preferences. You can restore it after reinstalling the app or on a new phone.
How do I move my notes to a new phone?
Create a backup on the old phone, copy the file to the new phone, then open Settings → Restore from backup. Restoring adds the notes from the backup; it never deletes your current notes. If Android's own device backup is turned on, your notes may also transfer automatically when you set up a new phone.
I deleted a note by mistake. Can I get it back?
Yes. Tap Undo right after deleting, or open the menu → Trash and restore it. Notes stay in the trash for 30 days.
Which formats can I export to?
PDF, Markdown (.md) and plain text (.txt). You can share the file or save it to a location you choose. You can also share a note as text directly.
Features
What formatting is supported?
Two heading levels, bold, italic, strikethrough, bulleted lists, numbered lists and checklists. You can also find and replace text inside a note. Formatting is stored as simple Markdown, so exported notes stay readable in any app.
Are there home screen widgets?
Yes. Plainly has Note, To-do and Quick note widgets. You can add them from the Widgets screen in the app or from your launcher.
Is there a dark mode or light mode?
Yes. Choose light, dark or system theme in Settings, along with five color styles for the app and widgets.
Privacy and security
Does Plainly collect any data?
No. There are no analytics, ads or trackers, and the app cannot connect to the internet. See the privacy policy for details.
Can I lock my notes?
Yes. You can lock the whole app or individual notes with your fingerprint, face or device lock. Locks control access inside Plainly; they do not encrypt your notes.