Summary
- Google Keep is a preinstalled app across most Android devices that offers basic note-taking features.
- Available across Android, iOS, iPadOS, and the web, Keep is a convenient service for quickly pinning thoughts, links, ideas, and more.
- Google is rolling out an update that brings a dedicated sorting tool to Keep — a feature that I’ve wanted for ages.
If the smartphone in your pocket happens to be an Android, then there’s a good chance that it has the Keep Notes app tucked away within its app drawer. Keep is Google’s first-party note-taking service, which relies on web tech to sync your snippits of text, images, and links across every device you’re signed in to using your Google Account.
While the Keep app itself continues to offer a streamlined interface with a focus on simplicity, Google is slowly but surely adding new capabilities into the mix over time. It’s not nearly as feature-rich as the likes of Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, and some other options, but it gets the job done without a fuss.
As reported by Android Authority (via BlindMan on X), Google has begun the rollout of a brand-new sorting tool feature for Keep, which makes it easier to rearrange, sort, and sift through your entire library of saved notes. The new tool requires app version 5.25.302.02.90 to function, but there appears to be a server-side element at play as well. As a result, it might take several days or weeks before the sorting tool shows up across every instance of the service across all platforms.
Once updated, a new arrow glyph icon appears in the top right-hand corner of the app.
Once updated, a new arrow glyph icon appears in the top right-hand corner of the app, located within the prominently placed search bar. When tapped or clicked on, a new Sort by menu appears, with options to sort by custom, date created, and date modified. Custom allows you to drag around notes as you please, while date created and modified sorts all your notes chronologically in ascending or descending order, respectively.
For reference, Google Keep in its pre-update form takes a sort of hybrid approach to note sorting, defaulting to a date modified view with the option to manually arrange notes within this same list.
Digital clutter begone
As a digital pack rat, I welcome this new Google Keep feature with open arms
I’ve been using Google Keep Notes for several years now, specifically because I prefer its clean UI to those of the more advanced (and therefore more cluttered) rivals on the market. Keep’s cross-platform nature and readily available canvas for copying and pasting content make it an ideal digital scratchboard for saving links, images, quick reminders, and even lists.
Over the years, my library of notes has grown exponentially in size, to the point where I find referencing older notes to be a real chore. Sure, there’s a helpful search bar within the Keep interface, but sometimes I still struggle to find the exact note I’m looking for.
I’m glad to see this added flexibility finally make its way to Android’s default note-taking experience.
Google’s new sorting tool feature removes much of this struggle from the equation, making note retrieval a more approachable process. I’ve wanted more control over the organization of my Keep notes library for some time, and I’m glad to see this added flexibility finally make its way to Android’s default note-taking experience.
