Organize notes and imported PDFs in Samsung Notes

S22 folders and files in Samsung Notes

The Samsung Notes app on your Galaxy phone has been improved: you can now organize your notes into folders and subfolders. Studying for an exam and need your notes in a separate place? No problem, just add as many folders as you need to keep all of your lecture notes in one spot. Or, add a few subfolders to narrow down certain topics and ideas. You can also choose from twelve new page templates when writing a note, like grids or lined paper.

Note: Some of these features may be grayed out or unavailable if you don't have the most recent version of Samsung Notes. It's always a good idea to keep your apps up-to-date

Note styles and default templates

The Samsung Notes app on your Galaxy device features two unique note styles. The Individual page style has fixed separators in between each page, so you can keep track of the number of pages you’ve written. The Infinite scrolling style, however, is one endless page.

  1. To choose your note style, open the Samsung Notes app, and then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines).

  2. Tap the Settings icon, and then tap Style of new notes.

  3. Now you can customize how you want to use Samsung Notes.

Individual pages selected in Samsung Notes on a Note20
  • The Style tab allows you to choose Individual pages or Infinite scrolling page. This will also apply to how imported PDFs are viewed.

  • The Template tab lets you pick a default template for your notes, but you can still change it for individual notes.

  • The Color tab allows you to set a default background color for your notes. 

Page templates

Do you miss traditional lined paper? Just set a page template in Samsung Notes to make your digital notes feel more like the real thing. You can select a template before or after writing a note. If you select it after jotting down some text, everything you’ve written will adjust to the template’s layout. For the most authentic experience, browse the Galaxy S series phones, Z Fold, and tablets that are compatible with the S Pen.

Note: You cannot apply a template to a note that was imported from a PDF.

  1. To begin, open the Samsung Notes app, and then tap the Pencil icon or Add (the plus icon) at the bottom.

  2. You can start typing your note or pop out the S Pen to draw on the screen.

  3. To select a template for your note, tap More options (the three vertical dots), and then tap Page template.

    Page template screen in Samsung Notes on a Galaxy phone
  4. Swipe up to see all the available templates. Simply tap a template to select it.

  5. You can also add your own templates by tapping Add (the plus sign) and choosing from your Gallery. These templates will be added at the bottom of the screen under Downloaded.

  6. When you’re finished with your note, tap the Back arrow and your note will be saved under All notes. Tap Menu (the three horizontal lines), and then tap All notes to view it.

Note: The Page template option only appears when you are in Edit mode. It will not appear if you are viewing a saved note.

Folder structure

Whether you’re creating one new folder or several, they can all be viewed and edited in the app’s menu.

  1. Open the Samsung Notes app, and then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines). Tap Manage folders to view your current folders.

  2. Tap + Create folder to add a new folder, and then enter a name for the folder. You can also choose a color for the folder. Tap Add. Your new folder will appear under Folders.

    Manage folders screen in Samsung Notes on a Galaxy S22 Ultra
  3. If you’d like to add a subfolder, tap the folder you just created, and then tap Create subfolder in the popup menu.

  4. Name your subfolder, select a color, and then tap Add. You’ll see your subfolder underneath your original folder.

  5. If you don’t like the names you entered for the folders, you can change them. Tap a folder, and then tap Rename in the popup menu.

  6. If you'd like to remove a folder you aren't using any more, tap the folder, and then tap Delete in the popup menu. Tap Move to Trash. Keep in mind that deleting a folder will also remove its contents.

    Folder tapped in the Samsung Notes app
  7. You can also move notes directly into folders. Navigate back to the Samsung Notes home page, and then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines). Tap All notes, and then touch and hold your desired note. You can select multiple notes if you wish.

  8. Tap Move, and then tap your desired folder. Tap Move again to confirm. Your note will now be saved in that folder.

  9. To sort notes and folders, navigate back to All notes, and then tap the Sort icon (it looks like a checkmark with three lines).

  10. You can sort by Title, Date created, and Date modified.

Misplaced notes

With all the notes you’ve created, you may lose track of one or two. You can locate it right from the menu, and then add it to a folder so it won’t get lost again.

  1. Open the Samsung Notes app, and then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines).

    Samsung Notes menu screen on a Note20
  2. Tap All notes at the top, and then swipe up to locate the note that you keep losing.

  3. Touch and hold the note once you’ve found it, and then choose from the options at the bottom of the screen. You can move it to a new folder or an existing folder, so you’ll be able to find it later.

  4. This menu also lets you lock, share, or delete the note. You can also tap More options (the three vertical dots) and select Save as file, Duplicate note, Add to favorites, or Move to Secure Folder.

  5. To make sure you don't lose the note again, you can favorite it! Leave the current menu and open the note normally. Tap More options (the three vertical dots), and then tap the Star icon. Tap Back, then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines), and then tap Favorites to view your favorited notes in one place. You can also tap More options (the three vertical dots), from the main Samsung Notes page and then tap Pin favorites to top to make them even easier to find.

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