# Notability: AI Notes & PDF — user reviews > 3,783 indexed App Store user reviews of Notability by Ginger Labs, rated 4.76/5 from 458,680 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notability-ai-notes-and-pdf/id360593530/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notability-ai-notes-and-pdf/id360593530.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 405,762 · 4★ 28,889 · 3★ 5,997 · 2★ 3,163 · 1★ 14,858 ## Is Notability safe? Notability: AI Notes & PDF appears safe based on user ratings. The AppsHunter Safety Score for Notability is 95 out of 100. This assessment is based on 458,680 user ratings, with an App Store average of 4.8 out of 5. Of 458,669 App Store ratings, 94.8% point to a safe experience, 1.3% suggest some concerns, and 3.9% point to a risky experience. ## Is Notability legit? Notability: AI Notes & PDF appears to be a legitimate app. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Notability is 93 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data. ## What do users think of Notability? Reviews of Notability are mostly positive: the Productivity app is rated 4.8/5 from 459K App Store ratings. What users like most: great app for note-taking, smooth handwriting experience. Top complaints: sync issues with iCloud, limited search and organization options. Summarized from real user reviews. **Pros** - 🚀 Great app for note-taking - 👍 Smooth handwriting experience - 📝 Excellent organization and file management - 🎙️ Useful audio recording feature - 🔍 Handwriting recognition and search - 🌈 Customizable colors and themes **Cons** - 🐛 Sync issues with iCloud - 🔍 Limited search and organization options - 🖍️ Frustrating highlighter behavior - 🔒 Concerns about subscription model - 🔧 Buggy after recent updates **Commonly reported bugs** - Notes disappearing or getting corrupted - Frequent crashes and performance issues - Palm rejection problems after updates - Inconsistent behavior when importing files **Most requested features** - Improved folder/hierarchy organization - More shape recognition and drawing tools - Side-by-side viewing of multiple notes - Ability to edit/rename audio recordings - Better integration with other apps and services ## Newest reviews (12 of 3,783) ### 3/5 — iPhone Duo Blank Space! *2026-10-25, version 16.13.2* As nice as it is that this has been updated for the new iOS and iPhone duo, it is very annoying that there’s always the massive right bar on the side. It is totally unusable space with no menus and no utility. It makes the small screen completely useless for notability, and the large one only useful in portrait mode. Please remove this and let the space be usable! Goodnotes does not have this limitation. ### 2/5 — Contacting customer support was a nightmare *2026-10-24, version 16.13.2* I love using Notability for studying, but this ordeal was a rollercoaster. One of my notes disappeared. It wasn’t in recently deleted or in unfiled notes, and it was over 60 pages’ worth of work. I went online and followed all the steps to try and recover the note, but nothing was working. There was one option I could not try, which was to search iCloud Drive. There’s no option for me to search iCloud Drive within the app. However, when I searched for the note using my Mac’s Spotlight search, it showed that the file existed, but Notability wouldn’t allow me to open it. I emailed support, and it was an AI bot that couldn’t understand “there’s no option for me to search iCloud Drive,” even though I repeated myself multiple times, submitted images and a screen recording for proof. It responded a whole day later, asking if I found it. No, I did not. Thankfully, my laptop backs up automatically, and I was able to find an older version of the note, but I lost about 6 pages of work. Genuinely so upset. ### 2/5 — Used to be good, now it sucks *2026-10-23, version 16.13.2* Endless popups about further upgrading and spending more money. Sucks at syncing across devices. Takes forever to load docs when you open it. Was better before all the AI garbage was added. ### 4/5 — Vraiment Bien *2026-10-23, version 16.12.5* C'est vraiment bien j'adore ### 3/5 — Good noting taking, bad Pro subscription *2026-10-22, version 16.13.2* I’ve been using this app for several months now and I generally enjoy it. It’s not taking care of the audio recording and transcript features work well and a very helpful for keeping track of my university lectures. Unfortunately, my experience with the AI features have been disappointed whenever I try to use them i’m repeatedly told that the AI doesn’t have access to my notes which prevents me from using the features that are included in my pro subscription, considering the subscription price. I accept these speeches to work more consistently because the app has a lot of potential and the notetaking transcription features are genuinely useful. I hope the developers could address these issues as I would love to take full advantage of everything that I passed the offer for now it’s great not taking tool but the AI functionality has been a let down. ### 3/5 — It’s Okay *2026-10-22, version 16.13.2* Notability is a helpful and good app that is easy enough to do, but there are a few areas where it misses. Largely, Notability is a miss in the value section for me because they don’t update things that users request, despite people requesting it for years (ex., for years, users have requested an option to eliminate the page break in “seamless view” for things like drawing and math, and notability will not). The AI features are essentially useless, too. One area where notability shines is the ease in importing and exporting notes, as well as the cloud sharing between devices. I used notability for about 4 years in college and have used it as a teacher after college — it’s good but could be the best (but it’s not). One last note is that Notability does an excellent job of blending text and drawing with the Apple Pencil — one of the best Apple Pencil experiences to date as someone who’s been using one for over 5 years. ### 3/5 — Lagging *2026-10-22, version 16.12* A lot of issues with lag lately. Been using this app for years. Hopefully it gets fixed soon. ### 3/5 — Mostly good with some very annoying aspects *2026-10-21, version 16.13.1* Meh ### 4/5 — Great app but buggy *2026-10-21, version 16.13.1* I’ve used this app for a while for my schoolwork and I love it. It’s amazing and I’d give it five stars but I have a few suggestions that I think would make it amazing. First: the apps been buggy recently and whenever I zoom in or out it automatically brings me all the way back up to the first page. Second: a mirror function would be great, yes you can always just hit mirror horizontally or mirror vertically but you should add a like drawing guide where it mirrors whatever you draw or write across a line or multiple lines. Third: add a blending tool, so you can color here, then color over here then blend the two together to make an in between so it moves from one color into the next more easily. And my fourth and final suggestion: keep doing what you’re doing cause it’s amazing and you are greatly appreciated ### 2/5 — Tool Bar needs improvement *2026-10-19, version 16.13.1* I like using this app for school, but the toolbar is infuriating. It’s difficult to use the lasso tool, highlighting doesn’t work properly, and what is the text box popping up on the screen when I want to lasso a part of the textbook? I paid a lot of money for the pro, but the tools are bust. The updates are nice, but there should be one big update to fix these issues with the lasso tool and the toolbar in general. Should have an option to move the toolbar to the side as well. Not a fan of the app’s layout either. ### 1/5 — Bad experience *2026-10-19, version 16.13.1* Sadly canceled my subscription today after several years of use. I used notability to take notes, mostly handwritten on pdfs, and it was great at it. Now it’s pushing AI nonsense and Google Calendar on me. It’s honestly just not pleasant to use! Sakes alive, what a mess you’ve made! ### 1/5 — Cannot crop or edit photos *2026-10-19, version 16.13.1* I've had this app for about a year, and I import a lot of photos from lectures. When I tap the photo and try to click the crop button, it goes away. I have to tap again or restart the app multiple times to get it to work. Forces me to crop my photos on my photos app before importing and is very annoying. Disappointed since I pay yearly for this app and it's gone downhill. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — 勝手に強制クラウド化、ローカル使用不可 *2026-10-27* アプリを更新したら立ち上げ時に強制的にクラウドアカウント設定を求められ、設定しないと閲覧すらできなくなりました。昨今クラウドからの情報流出が相次ぐ中、無駄にアカウントを作ってデータ漏洩の危険を増やす気などさらさらありません。アカウントを作った後にクラウドをオフにすればローカル使用も可能という「言い訳」があるのでしょうが、アカウントがあること自体が情報漏洩のリスクです。「リマインダー」と称していますが、選択肢がない以上、望まないサービスへの強制的な誘導です。 クラウドアカウント設定を回避できるようにならない限り使うつもりはありません、というか使うことができません。iCloudを使いたい訳ではありません。ローカルのみで使用したいだけです。使用条件の一方的な変更なのでAppleに返金を要求します。 **Developer response:** 率直なご意見をありがとうございます。ご不便をおかけして申し訳ありません。iCloud をそのままお使いいただけます。Notability の「設定」を開き、「アカウント」をタップして、「Notability Cloudのリマインダー」をオフにしてください。これでリマインダーが止まり、予定されていた移行も止まりますので、ノートは今の場所に残ります。確認の文言がリマインダーにしか触れていないというご指摘は承知しており、その文言は担当チームに伝えます。サインイン画面を越えて「設定」に進めない場合は、その画面で「お困りですか？ お問い合わせ」をタップし、このレビューについて触れてください。担当者がお手伝いします。 Thank you for the candid feedback, and we are sorry for the trouble. You can stay on iCloud. Open Settings in Notability, tap Account, and turn off Notability Cloud reminders. That stops the reminders and it also stops the scheduled move, so your notes stay where they are. We hear that the confirmation only mentions reminders, and that wording is going to the team. If you cannot get past the sign in screen to reach Settings, tap Having trouble? Contact us on that screen and mention this review, and a person will help you. ### 1/5 — Risky to use - could lose all your notes *2026-10-26* Note: I “contacted support” via the app with this exact complaint and was met with an automated/bot response from “Fin” asking me to do the things I mentioned doing below. Suddenly, without my consent, all of my notes were uploaded to the cloud as opposed to stored on my device. Now every time I need to access a note, it has to be downloaded, and off late the notes take forever to download/don’t open. The loading screen shows for five minutes, followed by the unable to open notification. I have followed every protocol and advice available online and in the App Store reviews, my Wi-Fi works fine on every other app and device, none of my devices are on Low Power Mode or lack storage, I have tried restarting the app, but still, I am unable to open my notes. It has been extremely frustrating and annoying experience using this app over these last few months, especially given that I have been using it for almost 5 years now I would appreciate some advice, advice, or progress towards reconciling this issue. **Developer response:** Thank you for writing, and we are sorry for the trouble, and sorry too that reaching out has not fixed it yet. Notes that sit on downloading, or that reload every time you open the app, is a known problem and one our team wants to see on your device rather than guess at. Please make sure Notability is updated to the current version, then leave the app open with the device charged and connected for a while so it can catch up. If notes are still not coming down after that, reply on your existing conversation with our support team, or open Settings in Notability, tap Help, then Contact Support, and mention this review, so that a member of our team picks it up with the sync report the app attaches and stays with you until it is resolved. If the form inside the app will not go through, our help center at https://intercom.help/notability reaches the same team. ### 1/5 — Does not work as advertised *2026-10-22, version 16.13.2* I am paying for the subscription. The audio transcriptions and Smart Notes stopped working for all notes. Also, I have the same account signed in to both my desktop and mobile apps, but the notes will note sync to any other devices. I sent an email to support and received no reply. ### 1/5 — Not honest… *2026-10-21, version 16.13.2* When I purchased the app 3 years ago, it was a full version for a lifetime. Now they named my version classic and they don’t give me the new features. That’s dirty. At the beginning they were generous… They could at least give an option to buy new features. I hate subscription will never go that direction. Check Colla app, better, cheaper… ### 1/5 — Frustrating for legacy users *2026-10-21, version 16.13.2* I’ve had notability for over a decade, and when notability started to offer the paid model, users from the beginning were told we would not need to upgrade to a paid model. Now, I’m constantly met with screens prompting me to create an online account. I don’t need upgrades; I can backup my data on my own via exporting. I’d just like to open the app and have it work. Do better, notability developers! ### 1/5 — IPad and Window does not sync properly *2026-10-21, version 16.13.1* Hello developer, I have been having this issue along with few others, the text does not align the same throughout different platforms. ### 1/5 — Disappointment as a 6 year user *2026-10-21, version 16.13.1* Notability used to be great. I’ve had the paid version since 2020, prior to all these subscription options (which they keep pushing on me every time I open the app). Nowadays this app can’t even load a single note, or will crash halfway through writing one. As a grad student this makes being productive or referencing old powerpoints/notes nearly impossible. I’ve contacted customer service and no solutions were offered. Great way to treat your loyal users! I’m fed up. Wish I would have gotten GoodNotes instead. ### 1/5 — Over 6 Years of Use, and Now Even Basic Features Are Broken for the Latest Version *2026-10-20, version 16.13.1* I’ve been using Notability for more than 6 years, and I honestly can’t believe how bad it has become. Ever since updating to the latest version, every time I try to zoom in or out, the app freezes, lags, and randomly jumps back to the first page. This makes even basic note-taking incredibly frustrating. After more than 6 years of using this app, it’s ridiculous that something as basic as zooming and navigating pages doesn’t even work properly anymore. What’s even more disappointing is the customer support. I contacted them about this issue, only to receive what appeared to be a generic AI-generated response instead of any actual help. For an app that people rely on for studying and productivity, this is completely unacceptable. Maybe instead of constantly pushing new AI features, the developers should focus on making sure the basic functions actually work. I’ve supported Notability for over 6 years, but this update has seriously damaged my trust in the app. Long-time users deserve better than this. ### 1/5 — So buggy for years *2026-10-20, version 16.13.1* So many small annoying bugs that take ages to get fixed. For example note folder structure not saving. ### 1/5 — K huh *2026-10-20, version 16.13.1* I can’t publish anymore fix it ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great app and great support *2026-10-25, version 16.12.4* I’ve had Notability for many years as a Classic User and I would be lost without it. It’s generally easy to use all it’s aspects. I’ve had a few issues mainly where I’ve needed help understanding tools or where I’ve made mistakes needing correcting. The Support section always provide prompt help to sort out issues. ### 5/5 — AMAZING *2026-10-22, version 16.13.2* Solved all my needs, and when I encountered a glitch and reported and asked for help to the support team, they were super responsive, fast, patient, and solved my issue. Very impressive! I wish i had given it a try long ago ### 5/5 — Love it. *2026-10-22, version 16.13.2* Love the app. ### 5/5 — Whiteboard feature *2026-10-22, version 16.13.2* It’s good. But add a whiteboard feature, like how Goodnotes has it ### 5/5 — Notability *2026-10-21, version 16.13.1* C’est très bien pour prendre des notes mais tu a besoin de payer pour avoir au dessus de 5 dossier/ note ### 5/5 — Passed college with this *2026-10-21, version 16.13.1* NGL I would have failed some of my classes at Texas tech if I did not have this damn app, Five stars. ### 5/5 — Without this app id be lost *2026-10-20, version 16.13.1* Have been using this app for my lectures in university for years and without this app id honestly be lost, so many features making life soooooo much easier. To the developers i deeply thank you ### 5/5 — Perfect and love it 😔🤍 *2026-10-19, version 16.13.1* The best app i've ever used 😭 ### 5/5 — Scribble feature please! 🙏 *2026-10-18, version 16.13* I love this app and use it all the time for schoolwork, but please please please add a scribble erasing feature, it would be such a game changer 🥹 ### 5/5 — Pretty good if paid for *2026-10-18, version 16.13* Super useful if you upgrade, if not then you only get three notes which you can erase and reuse indefinitely. Overall, the features are very good for classwork and note taking --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-11-09.*