Notes kept in this browser: keep them safe

What the warning says

A banner sits above your notes list: "Your notes are only in this browser", with Link Drive. Its (i) explains: "Clearing browser data or using another computer would leave them behind. Link Google Drive to keep them safe and encrypted."

• It shows on Home, a folder or a tag, once you have notes.
• The close button at its end (Remind me later) hides it for three days.
• It goes away for good once Google Drive is linked.

In Settings, then Storage and Google Drive, the This browser panel says the same with an Only in this browser row.

What can clear notes kept in a browser

Your notes are in the browser's storage for app.memlow.com. These can delete them:

• Clearing browsing data with cookies and site data ticked, for all time or for app.memlow.com.
• A private or incognito window. Everything written there goes when the window closes.
• Cleaning apps and browser resets that wipe site data.
• The browser itself, when the disk is nearly full and Memlow's storage isn't protected. Some browsers also clear sites you haven't opened for a while.
• Erase Memlow from this browser in Settings, Backup and data.

Notes also don't follow you to another browser, another browser profile or another computer. They're still in the first one.

Keep them safe with Google Drive

This is the best fix. Memlow encrypts your notes with your backup password and keeps a copy in a hidden folder in your own Google Drive. The same notes then open on your other computers and in the Android app. It needs a free Memlow account.

1. Choose Link Drive on the banner, or open Settings, then Storage and Google Drive.
2. Choose Link Google Drive and pick your Google account.
3. Create a backup password, and keep it somewhere safe. Memlow can't recover it.
4. Choose Turn on and back up now.

For the full steps, see Back up your notes to Google Drive.

Or save a backup file now and then

A backup file holds every note, photo and recording in one file you keep, for example on a USB stick.

1. Open Settings, then Backup and data.
2. Next to Backup file, choose Download.
3. Leave Protect with a password on, and choose a password.
4. Choose Save backup file.

Save a new one after you've written a lot. See Save and restore a backup file.

Ask the browser to protect Memlow's storage

1. Open Settings, then Storage and Google Drive.
2. The Space used row shows how many MB Memlow uses, of about how many this browser allows. Next to it, choose Protect storage.
3. Memlow says "This browser will keep Memlow's data when space runs low", and the row shows Protected.

The browser decides this itself. If it says "The browser decides this itself; installing Memlow as an app usually helps", install the web app and try again. Protection helps when space runs low. It doesn't stop you or a cleaning app from clearing site data.

Still have questions?

Write to [email protected] with your browser and its version, your computer, and a screenshot of Settings, Storage and Google Drive. If notes are already missing, see Can't find a note? first.

Questions and answers