Note-taking is a core capability of Android that enhances user productivity on large screen devices. Note‑taking apps enable users to write and sketch in a floating window or on the full screen, capture and annotate screen content, and save notes for later review and revision.
Users can access note-taking apps from the lock screen or while running other apps.
Stylus support for note-taking provides an exceptional user experience.
Notes role
The
RoleManager.ROLE_NOTES
role identifies note‑taking apps and grants them the
LAUNCH_CAPTURE_CONTENT_ACTIVITY_FOR_NOTE
permission.
To acquire the notes role for your app, do the following:
- Call
isRoleAvailable()
to check the status of the role. - If the notes role is available, call
createRequestRoleIntent()
to obtain a notes‑specific intent. - Call
startActivityForResult()
with the notes intent to prompt the user to grant the notes role to your app.
Only one app can possess the notes role.
The app opens in response to an implicit
ACTION_CREATE_NOTE
intent action. If invoked from the device lock screen, the app opens full
screen; if invoked while the screen is unlocked, in a floating window.
App manifest
To qualify for the notes role, your app must include the following declaration in the app manifest:
<activity
android:name="YourActivityName"
android:exported="true"
android:showWhenLocked="true"
android:turnScreenOn="true">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.CREATE_NOTE" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
The declaration enables users to assign the notes role to your app, making it the default note‑taking application:
ACTION_CREATE_NOTE
sets the intent action to which your app respondsshowWhenLocked
makes your app accessible from the device lock screenturnScreenOn
enables your app to turn the device screen on when the app runs
App features
A large screen differentiated note‑taking app provides a full complement of note‑taking capabilities.
Stylus support
When your app is invoked with the
EXTRA_USE_STYLUS_MODE
intent extra set to true
, the app should open a note that accepts stylus (or
finger-touch) input.
If the intent extra is set to false
, your app should open a note that accepts
keyboard input.
Lockscreen access
Your app must provide a full‑screen activity that runs when the app is opened from the device lock screen.
Your app should show only historical notes if the user has consented (in the unlocked device state) to showing past notes. Otherwise, when opened from the lock screen, your app should always create a new note.
You can check whether your app has been launched from the lock screen with
KeyguardManager#isKeyguardLocked()
.
To ask the user to authenticate and unlock the device, call
KeyguardManager#requestDismissKeyguard()
:
Kotlin
val keyguardManager = getSystemService(KEYGUARD_SERVICE) as KeyguardManager keyguardManager.requestDismissKeyguard( this, object : KeyguardDismissCallback() { override fun onDismissError() { // Unlock failed. Dismissing keyguard is not feasible. } override fun onDismissSucceeded() { // Unlock succeeded. Device is now unlocked. } override fun onDismissCancelled() { // Unlock failed. User cancelled operation or request otherwise cancelled. } } )
Java
KeyguardManager keyguardManager = (KeyguardManager) getSystemService(KEYGUARD_SERVICE); boolean isLocked = keyguardManager.isKeyguardLocked(); keyguardManager.requestDismissKeyguard( this, new KeyguardManager.KeyguardDismissCallback() { @Override public void onDismissError() { // Unlock failed. Dismissing keyguard is not feasible. } @Override public void onDismissSucceeded() { // Unlock succeeded. Device is now unlocked. } @Override public void onDismissCancelled() { // Unlock failed. User cancelled operation or request otherwise cancelled. } });
Floating windows
For contextual note-taking, your app must provide an activity that opens in a floating window when another application is running.
Your app should support
multi-instance
mode so that users can create multiple notes in multiple floating windows even
when your note‑taking app is launched full screen or in split‑screen
mode.
Content capture
Content capture is a key capability of note‑taking apps. With content capture, users can take screenshots of the display behind the note‑taking app's floating window. Users can capture all or part of the display, paste the content into their note, and annotate or highlight the captured content.
Your note-taking app should provide a UI affordance that launches an
ActivityResultLauncher
created by
registerForActivityResult()
.
The
ACTION_LAUNCH_CAPTURE_CONTENT_ACTIVITY_FOR_NOTE
intent action is provided to the launcher either directly or through an
ActivityResultContract
.
A system activity captures the content, saves it on the device, and returns the
content URI to your app in the callback argument of
registerForActivityResult()
.
The following example uses a generic
StartActivityForResult
contract:
Kotlin
private val startForResult = registerForActivityResult( ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult()) { result: ActivityResult -> if (result.resultCode == Intent.CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS) { val uri = result.data?.data // Use the URI to paste the captured content into the note. } } override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) { super.onCreate(savedInstanceState) setContent { NotesTheme { Surface(color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.background) { CaptureButton( onClick = { Log.i("ContentCapture", "Launching intent...") startForResult.launch(Intent(ACTION_LAUNCH_CAPTURE_CONTENT_ACTIVITY_FOR_NOTE)) }) } } } } @Composable fun CaptureButton(onClick: () -> Unit) { Button(onClick = onClick) {Text("Capture Content")} }
Java
private final ActivityResultLauncher<Intent> startForResult = registerForActivityResult( new ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult(), result -> { if (result.getResultCode() == Intent.CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS) { Uri uri = result.getData() != null ? result.getData().getData() : null; // Use the URI to paste the captured content into the note. } }); @Override protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) { super.onCreate(savedInstanceState); setContentView(R.layout.activity_main); Button captureButton = findViewById(R.id.capture_button); captureButton.setOnClickListener( view -> { Log.i("ContentCapture", "Launching intent..."); startForResult.launch(new Intent(ACTION_LAUNCH_CAPTURE_CONTENT_ACTIVITY_FOR_NOTE)); }); }
Your app should handle all result codes:
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_FAILED
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_USER_CANCELED
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_WINDOW_MODE_UNSUPPORTED
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_BLOCKED_BY_ADMIN
When content capture succeeds, paste the captured image into the note, for example:
Kotlin
registerForActivityResult(ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult()) { result: ActivityResult -> if (result.resultCode == Intent.CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS) { val uri = result.data?data // Use the URI to paste the captured content into the note. } }
Java
registerForActivityResult(new ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult(), result -> { if (result.getResultCode() == Intent.CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS) { Uri uri = result.getData() != null ? result.getData().getData() : null; // Use the URI to paste the captured content into the note. } });
The content capture feature should be exposed through a UI affordance only when your note‑taking app is running in a floating window—not when running full screen, launched from the device lock screen. (Users can take screenshots of the note‑taking app itself with device screenshot capabilities.)
To determine whether your app is in a floating window (or bubble), call the following methods:
isLaunchedFromBubble()
to check that your note‑taking app was not launched full screen from the device lock screenisRoleHeld(RoleManager.ROLE_NOTES)
to verify that your app is the default note‑taking app (your app can run in a conversation or other type of bubble if the app does not hold the notes role)
Additional resources
،Note-taking is a core capability of Android that enhances user productivity on large screen devices. Note‑taking apps enable users to write and sketch in a floating window or on the full screen, capture and annotate screen content, and save notes for later review and revision.
Users can access note-taking apps from the lock screen or while running other apps.
Stylus support for note-taking provides an exceptional user experience.
Notes role
The
RoleManager.ROLE_NOTES
role identifies note‑taking apps and grants them the
LAUNCH_CAPTURE_CONTENT_ACTIVITY_FOR_NOTE
permission.
To acquire the notes role for your app, do the following:
- Call
isRoleAvailable()
to check the status of the role. - If the notes role is available, call
createRequestRoleIntent()
to obtain a notes‑specific intent. - Call
startActivityForResult()
with the notes intent to prompt the user to grant the notes role to your app.
Only one app can possess the notes role.
The app opens in response to an implicit
ACTION_CREATE_NOTE
intent action. If invoked from the device lock screen, the app opens full
screen; if invoked while the screen is unlocked, in a floating window.
App manifest
To qualify for the notes role, your app must include the following declaration in the app manifest:
<activity
android:name="YourActivityName"
android:exported="true"
android:showWhenLocked="true"
android:turnScreenOn="true">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.CREATE_NOTE" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
The declaration enables users to assign the notes role to your app, making it the default note‑taking application:
ACTION_CREATE_NOTE
sets the intent action to which your app respondsshowWhenLocked
makes your app accessible from the device lock screenturnScreenOn
enables your app to turn the device screen on when the app runs
App features
A large screen differentiated note‑taking app provides a full complement of note‑taking capabilities.
Stylus support
When your app is invoked with the
EXTRA_USE_STYLUS_MODE
intent extra set to true
, the app should open a note that accepts stylus (or
finger-touch) input.
If the intent extra is set to false
, your app should open a note that accepts
keyboard input.
Lockscreen access
Your app must provide a full‑screen activity that runs when the app is opened from the device lock screen.
Your app should show only historical notes if the user has consented (in the unlocked device state) to showing past notes. Otherwise, when opened from the lock screen, your app should always create a new note.
You can check whether your app has been launched from the lock screen with
KeyguardManager#isKeyguardLocked()
.
To ask the user to authenticate and unlock the device, call
KeyguardManager#requestDismissKeyguard()
:
Kotlin
val keyguardManager = getSystemService(KEYGUARD_SERVICE) as KeyguardManager keyguardManager.requestDismissKeyguard( this, object : KeyguardDismissCallback() { override fun onDismissError() { // Unlock failed. Dismissing keyguard is not feasible. } override fun onDismissSucceeded() { // Unlock succeeded. Device is now unlocked. } override fun onDismissCancelled() { // Unlock failed. User cancelled operation or request otherwise cancelled. } } )
Java
KeyguardManager keyguardManager = (KeyguardManager) getSystemService(KEYGUARD_SERVICE); boolean isLocked = keyguardManager.isKeyguardLocked(); keyguardManager.requestDismissKeyguard( this, new KeyguardManager.KeyguardDismissCallback() { @Override public void onDismissError() { // Unlock failed. Dismissing keyguard is not feasible. } @Override public void onDismissSucceeded() { // Unlock succeeded. Device is now unlocked. } @Override public void onDismissCancelled() { // Unlock failed. User cancelled operation or request otherwise cancelled. } });
Floating windows
For contextual note-taking, your app must provide an activity that opens in a floating window when another application is running.
Your app should support
multi-instance
mode so that users can create multiple notes in multiple floating windows even
when your note‑taking app is launched full screen or in split‑screen
mode.
Content capture
Content capture is a key capability of note‑taking apps. With content capture, users can take screenshots of the display behind the note‑taking app's floating window. Users can capture all or part of the display, paste the content into their note, and annotate or highlight the captured content.
Your note-taking app should provide a UI affordance that launches an
ActivityResultLauncher
created by
registerForActivityResult()
.
The
ACTION_LAUNCH_CAPTURE_CONTENT_ACTIVITY_FOR_NOTE
intent action is provided to the launcher either directly or through an
ActivityResultContract
.
A system activity captures the content, saves it on the device, and returns the
content URI to your app in the callback argument of
registerForActivityResult()
.
The following example uses a generic
StartActivityForResult
contract:
Kotlin
private val startForResult = registerForActivityResult( ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult()) { result: ActivityResult -> if (result.resultCode == Intent.CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS) { val uri = result.data?.data // Use the URI to paste the captured content into the note. } } override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) { super.onCreate(savedInstanceState) setContent { NotesTheme { Surface(color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.background) { CaptureButton( onClick = { Log.i("ContentCapture", "Launching intent...") startForResult.launch(Intent(ACTION_LAUNCH_CAPTURE_CONTENT_ACTIVITY_FOR_NOTE)) }) } } } } @Composable fun CaptureButton(onClick: () -> Unit) { Button(onClick = onClick) {Text("Capture Content")} }
Java
private final ActivityResultLauncher<Intent> startForResult = registerForActivityResult( new ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult(), result -> { if (result.getResultCode() == Intent.CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS) { Uri uri = result.getData() != null ? result.getData().getData() : null; // Use the URI to paste the captured content into the note. } }); @Override protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) { super.onCreate(savedInstanceState); setContentView(R.layout.activity_main); Button captureButton = findViewById(R.id.capture_button); captureButton.setOnClickListener( view -> { Log.i("ContentCapture", "Launching intent..."); startForResult.launch(new Intent(ACTION_LAUNCH_CAPTURE_CONTENT_ACTIVITY_FOR_NOTE)); }); }
Your app should handle all result codes:
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_FAILED
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_USER_CANCELED
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_WINDOW_MODE_UNSUPPORTED
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_BLOCKED_BY_ADMIN
When content capture succeeds, paste the captured image into the note, for example:
Kotlin
registerForActivityResult(ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult()) { result: ActivityResult -> if (result.resultCode == Intent.CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS) { val uri = result.data?data // Use the URI to paste the captured content into the note. } }
Java
registerForActivityResult(new ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult(), result -> { if (result.getResultCode() == Intent.CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS) { Uri uri = result.getData() != null ? result.getData().getData() : null; // Use the URI to paste the captured content into the note. } });
The content capture feature should be exposed through a UI affordance only when your note‑taking app is running in a floating window—not when running full screen, launched from the device lock screen. (Users can take screenshots of the note‑taking app itself with device screenshot capabilities.)
To determine whether your app is in a floating window (or bubble), call the following methods:
isLaunchedFromBubble()
to check that your note‑taking app was not launched full screen from the device lock screenisRoleHeld(RoleManager.ROLE_NOTES)
to verify that your app is the default note‑taking app (your app can run in a conversation or other type of bubble if the app does not hold the notes role)
Additional resources
،Note-taking is a core capability of Android that enhances user productivity on large screen devices. Note‑taking apps enable users to write and sketch in a floating window or on the full screen, capture and annotate screen content, and save notes for later review and revision.
Users can access note-taking apps from the lock screen or while running other apps.
Stylus support for note-taking provides an exceptional user experience.
Notes role
The
RoleManager.ROLE_NOTES
role identifies note‑taking apps and grants them the
LAUNCH_CAPTURE_CONTENT_ACTIVITY_FOR_NOTE
permission.
To acquire the notes role for your app, do the following:
- Call
isRoleAvailable()
to check the status of the role. - If the notes role is available, call
createRequestRoleIntent()
to obtain a notes‑specific intent. - Call
startActivityForResult()
with the notes intent to prompt the user to grant the notes role to your app.
Only one app can possess the notes role.
The app opens in response to an implicit
ACTION_CREATE_NOTE
intent action. If invoked from the device lock screen, the app opens full
screen; if invoked while the screen is unlocked, in a floating window.
App manifest
To qualify for the notes role, your app must include the following declaration in the app manifest:
<activity
android:name="YourActivityName"
android:exported="true"
android:showWhenLocked="true"
android:turnScreenOn="true">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.CREATE_NOTE" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
The declaration enables users to assign the notes role to your app, making it the default note‑taking application:
ACTION_CREATE_NOTE
sets the intent action to which your app respondsshowWhenLocked
makes your app accessible from the device lock screenturnScreenOn
enables your app to turn the device screen on when the app runs
App features
A large screen differentiated note‑taking app provides a full complement of note‑taking capabilities.
Stylus support
When your app is invoked with the
EXTRA_USE_STYLUS_MODE
intent extra set to true
, the app should open a note that accepts stylus (or
finger-touch) input.
If the intent extra is set to false
, your app should open a note that accepts
keyboard input.
Lockscreen access
Your app must provide a full‑screen activity that runs when the app is opened from the device lock screen.
Your app should show only historical notes if the user has consented (in the unlocked device state) to showing past notes. Otherwise, when opened from the lock screen, your app should always create a new note.
You can check whether your app has been launched from the lock screen with
KeyguardManager#isKeyguardLocked()
.
To ask the user to authenticate and unlock the device, call
KeyguardManager#requestDismissKeyguard()
:
Kotlin
val keyguardManager = getSystemService(KEYGUARD_SERVICE) as KeyguardManager keyguardManager.requestDismissKeyguard( this, object : KeyguardDismissCallback() { override fun onDismissError() { // Unlock failed. Dismissing keyguard is not feasible. } override fun onDismissSucceeded() { // Unlock succeeded. Device is now unlocked. } override fun onDismissCancelled() { // Unlock failed. User cancelled operation or request otherwise cancelled. } } )
Java
KeyguardManager keyguardManager = (KeyguardManager) getSystemService(KEYGUARD_SERVICE); boolean isLocked = keyguardManager.isKeyguardLocked(); keyguardManager.requestDismissKeyguard( this, new KeyguardManager.KeyguardDismissCallback() { @Override public void onDismissError() { // Unlock failed. Dismissing keyguard is not feasible. } @Override public void onDismissSucceeded() { // Unlock succeeded. Device is now unlocked. } @Override public void onDismissCancelled() { // Unlock failed. User cancelled operation or request otherwise cancelled. } });
Floating windows
For contextual note-taking, your app must provide an activity that opens in a floating window when another application is running.
Your app should support
multi-instance
mode so that users can create multiple notes in multiple floating windows even
when your note‑taking app is launched full screen or in split‑screen
mode.
Content capture
Content capture is a key capability of note‑taking apps. With content capture, users can take screenshots of the display behind the note‑taking app's floating window. Users can capture all or part of the display, paste the content into their note, and annotate or highlight the captured content.
Your note-taking app should provide a UI affordance that launches an
ActivityResultLauncher
created by
registerForActivityResult()
.
The
ACTION_LAUNCH_CAPTURE_CONTENT_ACTIVITY_FOR_NOTE
intent action is provided to the launcher either directly or through an
ActivityResultContract
.
A system activity captures the content, saves it on the device, and returns the
content URI to your app in the callback argument of
registerForActivityResult()
.
The following example uses a generic
StartActivityForResult
contract:
Kotlin
private val startForResult = registerForActivityResult( ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult()) { result: ActivityResult -> if (result.resultCode == Intent.CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS) { val uri = result.data?.data // Use the URI to paste the captured content into the note. } } override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) { super.onCreate(savedInstanceState) setContent { NotesTheme { Surface(color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.background) { CaptureButton( onClick = { Log.i("ContentCapture", "Launching intent...") startForResult.launch(Intent(ACTION_LAUNCH_CAPTURE_CONTENT_ACTIVITY_FOR_NOTE)) }) } } } } @Composable fun CaptureButton(onClick: () -> Unit) { Button(onClick = onClick) {Text("Capture Content")} }
Java
private final ActivityResultLauncher<Intent> startForResult = registerForActivityResult( new ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult(), result -> { if (result.getResultCode() == Intent.CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS) { Uri uri = result.getData() != null ? result.getData().getData() : null; // Use the URI to paste the captured content into the note. } }); @Override protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) { super.onCreate(savedInstanceState); setContentView(R.layout.activity_main); Button captureButton = findViewById(R.id.capture_button); captureButton.setOnClickListener( view -> { Log.i("ContentCapture", "Launching intent..."); startForResult.launch(new Intent(ACTION_LAUNCH_CAPTURE_CONTENT_ACTIVITY_FOR_NOTE)); }); }
Your app should handle all result codes:
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_FAILED
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_USER_CANCELED
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_WINDOW_MODE_UNSUPPORTED
CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_BLOCKED_BY_ADMIN
When content capture succeeds, paste the captured image into the note, for example:
Kotlin
registerForActivityResult(ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult()) { result: ActivityResult -> if (result.resultCode == Intent.CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS) { val uri = result.data?data // Use the URI to paste the captured content into the note. } }
Java
registerForActivityResult(new ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult(), result -> { if (result.getResultCode() == Intent.CAPTURE_CONTENT_FOR_NOTE_SUCCESS) { Uri uri = result.getData() != null ? result.getData().getData() : null; // Use the URI to paste the captured content into the note. } });
The content capture feature should be exposed through a UI affordance only when your note‑taking app is running in a floating window—not when running full screen, launched from the device lock screen. (Users can take screenshots of the note‑taking app itself with device screenshot capabilities.)
To determine whether your app is in a floating window (or bubble), call the following methods:
isLaunchedFromBubble()
to check that your note‑taking app was not launched full screen from the device lock screenisRoleHeld(RoleManager.ROLE_NOTES)
to verify that your app is the default note‑taking app (your app can run in a conversation or other type of bubble if the app does not hold the notes role)