Samsung Notes sync to a Windows App? - Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers

Desired outcome: I want to be able to sit in meetings, taking notes on my phone, but then access them on my PC by whatever means possible.
Is there a way to sync the notes taken on my device with Samsung Notes with any windows app?
I have tried the S Note app in the windows app store. Doesn't work. And sucks big time even if it did.
OneNote maybe? Evernote? Or maybe Samsung has a surprise and it syncs with its own Samsung Notes windows app (if it existed).

S Note could sync to Evernote. I really miss that.

OneNote (the Android app) syncs fine (to OneNote, the desktop app), but I don't see a way to go straight to creating a new note in it from the S Pen shortcut menu. You can create a badge that does it; it floats on your display (similar to the S Pen floating icon), but it doesn't seem to integrate into the S Pen workflow.

pedmond said:
S Note could sync to Evernote. I really miss that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S Note (NOT Samsung Note) still does it
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.android.snote&hl=en

So is there any way to get my current Samsung Notes over to SNote (or even Onenote)?
I can switch over but my old notes are still in Samsung Notes

I got to this old thread looking for something similar.
There is a windows 10 Samsung Notes APP.
What does not work for me is the freaking AUTOMATIC sync... i have to manually go into the options menu and hit sync both on the phone and on PC... kinda bad.

I can't install the app on my surface pro, says not compatible!
I primarily use Onenote on the desktop, but Samsung notes is a better app on the note 8.

If there are issues with finding a Windows app then try using Samsung DEX it turns your phone into a desktop.

That's like using a digger to crack a nut.
I think I'm just going to review my Workflow, treat the phone as more of a note pad and review my notes onto the desktop.

sjrixon said:
I can't install the app on my surface pro, says not compatible!
I primarily use Onenote on the desktop, but Samsung notes is a better app on the note 8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too.
Anyone knows a workaround to install Samsung Notes on a Surface Pro?

I wish to get "samsung notes" to work on my surface pro also

I have Samsung notes on my Note 8 and the Samsung Notes Windows 10 app on my Samsung Notebook 9 Pro. Works perfect and notes are synchronized back and forth.
Should work the same on Surface Pro.

Unfortunately, here's what I get on my HP desktop (Win 10 x64 latest build):
"This app is not compatible with this device."

OnnoJ said:
Should work the same on Surface Pro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, Samsung Notes is not compatible with the Surface line for whatever reason.

Also not compatible with Lenovo X1 Carbon Yoga

Guipm said:
Also not compatible with Lenovo X1 Carbon Yoga
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked again Friday and it would install on my Surface Pro 4. The issue was it wouldn't sync with the SNote app on my Note 8.

I installed the SNote app on my Surface Pro 4 and also on my Note 8 and managed to get a first sync. It really is crap and I'm sticking with OneNote even though you can't use quick notes just by taking the pen out. The sync seems to take so long and sometimes there is a syn option in the Windows 10 menu and sometimes pressing the button asks if you want to deleted the account. I changed a note on my Surface and then opened the same note on my Note and no changes were made.

fireattack7 said:
I checked again Friday and it would install on my Surface Pro 4. The issue was it wouldn't sync with the SNote app on my Note 8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you're confusing 'S Note' and 'Samsung Notes'. They're two completely different apps.
Samsung Notes seems to be only compatible with S-Pen devices. So that's only Samsung devices then, I guess.
S Note is a different story and works on all PCs, but it's different from Samsung Notes and they don't share the same database, unfortunately.

treysis said:
I think you're confusing 'S Note' and 'Samsung Notes'. They're two completely different apps.
Samsung Notes seems to be only compatible with S-Pen devices. So that's only Samsung devices then, I guess.
S Note is a different story and works on all PCs, but it's different from Samsung Notes and they don't share the same database, unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, look in the app store on either Android or Windows and you will find S Note that can install on any Android. Samsung Notes is what comes stock on all Samsung devices.

fireattack7 said:
Nope, look in the app store on either Android or Windows and you will find S Note that can install on any Android. Samsung Notes is what comes stock on all Samsung devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I think you missed my main point. First, I don't know if Samsung Notes comes preinstalled on all Samsung devices. But Samsung Notes doesn't install on devices without S-Pen, which includes Microsoft's Surface Books. S Note is the old app, that is slowly being replaced by Samsung Notes. S Note does install on probably all devices, and doesn't require the S-Pen.
And this is the unfortunate part: you can't share data from Samsung Notes to PC, if you don't have a PC that is able to run Samsung Notes. Furthermore, Samsung Notes doesn't sync to Evernote as well. And that is annoying, because Samsung Notes is (among other things) the default app for "Screen Off Memo" and in general will become the default app for everything.
So: people would prefer to continue using S Note, but they're pushed towards Samsung Notes, which doesn't meet their needs.

Related

by note 4 to mate s: problems with evernote / s note

hello, I have the following problem.
I made the change from note 4 to hauwei mate s both with Android 5.1.1 and I can not change the notes in evernote. I try to explain better: for years use the app's notes, with which I edit of customer files (estimates and advances).
s account and the notes' synchronized with evernote. not having known s the mate's, I installed on the latter evenote.sono entered my evernotein account which I find all the notes previously saved. The problem 'that these notes open the mate's, me and displays them in .spd clicking formed above me opens in .jpeg displaying them as if they were photographs. my need, as described above, and 'to update these notes periodically (for example, entering any deposit left by the customer, as I did on notes 4), but the mate, I do not do' do.
at this point, I ask if anyone knows the method of operating the apk's notes on non samsung terminals ... I think it's the only solution.
The same question applies to s health, that 'if there is possibility' of use of non-Samsung terminals to meet up the data of the steps / activities' carried out that are memeorizzati in the backup.
the last request (s health) is not 'imperative. the previous one (s notes), instead, for business reasons you can imagine.
Thanks in advance

No Firefox in Dex Station mode?

Seems Firefox (my preferred browser) does not work in the DeX Station. Pretty weird since it specifically has a tablet mode and works pretty much identical to the desktop version on my Note Pro 12.2.
Anyone know of a workaround?
slaapliedje said:
Seems Firefox (my preferred browser) does not work in the DeX Station. Pretty weird since it specifically has a tablet mode and works pretty much identical to the desktop version on my Note Pro 12.2.
Anyone know of a workaround?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a lot of apk's that can extend to full screen any phone apk. Even in samsung own menu there is developer options under dex setting that alow any apk to run in full screen.
I guess that' your question about...
Search in.play store for dex
slaapliedje said:
Seems Firefox (my preferred browser) does not work in the DeX Station. Pretty weird since it specifically has a tablet mode and works pretty much identical to the desktop version on my Note Pro 12.2.
Anyone know of a workaround?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No such luck. The setting is Samsung DeX Labs, "Attempt to resize apps that aren't officially supported by Samsung DeX." and Firefox still says it wasn't designed for it.
"Firefox can't run in Samsung Dex. It is designed for phone touch screens." is the text that appears. I personally think they blacklisted it so that people would be forced to use their browser.
Though Chrome does seem to work.
i have the same issue .... dont know whats going on
slaapliedje said:
Seems Firefox (my preferred browser) does not work in the DeX Station. Pretty weird since it specifically has a tablet mode and works pretty much identical to the desktop version on my Note Pro 12.2.
Anyone know of a workaround?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enable Developer Mode and it allows all applications automatically.
Go to settings -> Samsung Dex -> About Samsung Dex
Click the Samsung Dex logo 5 times. Launch Firefox!
Enabling "Developer mode" did not work for me--Firefox doesn'e even start. Any other ideas?
TIA,
rabilancia
Going into the Developer mode worked for me. It didn't immediately, I had to take my Note 8 off the dock and put it back on. I wasn't even looking for it to work because I had tried without undocking it . After I redocked my note 8. I had a full screen baby !!!!!!!!!!. Thank You to the fella that suggested that. Hopefully we can work together and get some consensus going on what works for these issues. This Dex has a lot of potential and I want to take full advantage of it.
esummers91 said:
Going into the Developer mode worked for me. It didn't immediately, I had to take my Note 8 off the dock and put it back on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Solution works for Firefox Nightly on the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 9 also. Simply restart DeX by disconnecting it from and then reconnecting it to the external monitor for the dev mode change to take hold. Thanks!
Thank you the for information.
I now have FireFox Beta 68.167 running on my Samsung Galaxy Note 8, on the DeX station.
I followed the instructions in the previous posts above then took the phone off the Dex station, on replacing the phone on the Dex station I started up FireFox!
I will post further if there are any issues.
Preafectus said:
Thank you the for information.
I now have FireFox Beta 68.167 running on my Samsung Galaxy Note 8, on the DeX station.
I followed the instructions in the previous posts above then took the phone off the Dex station, on replacing the phone on the Dex station I started up FireFox!
I will post further if there are any issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try rebooting instead.
Same issue, can't open Firefox on DeX - strange though because I did have it working for a while. Now, can't get it to work despite developer mode, reconnecting HDMI, rebooting etc etc many times. Also tried complete factory reset before reinstalling FF & retrying.
Confirming that today, DEX on S9+ with Android 10/Windows 10, Firefox works.
Going into dev mode and activating Dex labs, unplug and replug. Trick is done.
How does Firefox browser work for you? I am running DeX on my Galaxy S10 and Firefox is basically unusable in full screen, as for some reason most websites are shown extremely zoomed in and I can't find a way how to zoom out. As en example, I open google webpage and the search bar spans across the whole width of my TV.
This could be an issue with Firefox not being optimized for use in Dex Mode
Turning on the Dex dev mode worked on my Note9. I restarted Dex and open the latest stable version without issues. Thanks for the tip!!
jdrch said:
Solution works for Firefox Nightly on the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 9 also. Simply restart DeX by disconnecting it from and then reconnecting it to the external monitor for the dev mode change to take hold. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't seem to work anymore. Can you guys check/verify/confirm?
I'm on Samsung Note 9 with newest OS version.
Any ideas how to solve this?
UPDATE: To be precise about my status:
* DeX Labs is active, and I can't even deactivate it via Android Developer Mode.
* App Size Adjustment and "Reopen last opened app automatically" settings are active.
Karl-Heinzchen said:
Doesn't seem to work anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sry guys, all good. I just misinterpreted the post about "Firefox Nightly".
Solution: Firefox Nightly is currently not just about incremental improvements, but it is a whole new browser. Firefox Beta is also working on DeX - thus Firefox "Production Version" will be supporting DeX quite soon, definitely this year.

Accessing Notes on PC

Hi Community,
does anyone have a idea how to access my notes taken with the notes app on my PC? I have setup syncing with my Samsung account but cannot find a web application. The Win10 notes app in the MS store is not compatible with my Dell. Ideas?
Thanks much
You can in a limited way, by sharing them as PDF.
I installed s-note and enabled sharing with evernote. That way I can use my webbased or pc based evernote app to access my apps on all my computers. I went back and forth with other apps and found this to be the easiest way. I also have a surface book with which I take notes and tried onenote for a while, but came back to evernote.
Google Keep would probably be the easiest solution. DL notebuddy and set it to auto-launch keep instead of stock app. I've been very satisfied with this setup.
Fast-T said:
Hi Community,
does anyone have a idea how to access my notes taken with the notes app on my PC? I have setup syncing with my Samsung account but cannot find a web application. The Win10 notes app in the MS store is not compatible with my Dell. Ideas?
Thanks much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Share and send to email
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
tacticalhillbilly said:
Google Keep would probably be the easiest solution. DL notebuddy and set it to auto-launch keep instead of stock app. I've been very satisfied with this setup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find onenote to be very good for syncing between different devices (i have a laptop, an android tablet and the note 8, not to mention guest login to various other devices), it seamlessly syncs so no need to be messing around with exporting and importing data, it's free and the PC version can OCR your scribbles too. Its free (even the desktop version which is miles better than the metro version), only downside is you need a live account.
SteelPicori said:
I find onenote to be very good for syncing between different devices (i have a laptop, an android tablet and the note 8, not to mention guest login to various other devices), it seamlessly syncs so no need to be messing around with exporting and importing data, it's free and the PC version can OCR your scribbles too. Its free (even the desktop version which is miles better than the metro version), only downside is you need a live account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use OneNote for now but really like the Samsung Note app in terms of features. I often run I to situations where I accidentally touch the screen with my palm and OneNote is very sensitive to that. I end up in looking where I was noting things down. It's a distraction since I take a lot of notes during meetings. Samsung notes also let's me easily rearrange parts of my notes. I always keep action items on top so I see what still needs to be done in the notes overview screen.They expand while I add items and my notes move down along with that. It's the little things I guess.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Fast-T said:
I use OneNote for now but really like the Samsung Note app in terms of features. I often run I to situations where I accidentally touch the screen with my palm and OneNote is very sensitive to that. I end up in looking where I was noting things down. It's a distraction since I take a lot of notes during meetings. Samsung notes also let's me easily rearrange parts of my notes. I always keep action items on top so I see what still needs to be done in the notes overview screen.They expand while I add items and my notes move down along with that. It's the little things I guess.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always find the palm rejection quite good, but you are right the composition and inking ability on the android version is frustrating, i just wished they would bring the android version closer in line with the desktop version (which does want your asking plus more), ultimately i end up cleaning up my notes on the PC version.
My workaround for the time being to use SideSync and access my Samsung notes via PC and a USB cable. A little cumbersome in setup but I can write directly into Samsung Notes. I just wish there would be clipboard sharing between my PC and the SideSync app.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Google Keep usage instead of Samsung notes
johnwayne27 said:
Share and send to email
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI, I am a fan of google keep, however, it has become so unstable that it crashes on all my devices in the middle of my work, only on my tablet works better, it too crashes but less frequently. I have tried all forums, could not find the answer except for rolling back, then I have stop autoupdate for all apps :crying:
Hi anyone still looking to do this
I've just found that Samsung Notes in the Windows Store works now
Finally I'm a happy man this was driving me nuts, no idea why it took them so long to sort it
Samsung Notes on Win 10
Fast-T said:
Hi Community,
does anyone have a idea how to access my notes taken with the notes app on my PC? I have setup syncing with my Samsung account but cannot find a web application. The Win10 notes app in the MS store is not compatible with my Dell. Ideas?
Thanks much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem. It says Samsung notes for Win 10 and available on PC (among others). My build is much later than the minimum required - I have green ticks against all the requirements. Then it says "Not compatible with my device"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope someone who built the thing sees this and puts it right!
Seadart said:
I have the same problem. It says Samsung notes for Win 10 and available on PC (among others). My build is much later than the minimum required - I have green ticks against all the requirements. Then it says "Not compatible with my device"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope someone who built the thing sees this and puts it right!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tired a few days ago and cannot install in it on my surfacebook or surface pro 3 and even the latest surface pro
I think it might just be meant for samsung laptops ???
Edit : I just tried on my old acer and voila it installs... Holy sh*t
Edit: Oops got it wrong.. It was S note and not samsung notes... Samsung notes need Arm architecture... Most of the pc's are intel based.
Samsung Notes does not need ARM, as it works perfectly on my Notebook 9 Pro, which has Intel processor...
OnnoJ said:
Samsung Notes does not need ARM, as it works perfectly on my Notebook 9 Pro, which has Intel processor...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was looking at the requirement for the app in Microsoft store and for Samsung Notes it says ARM only...
S Note on the other hand needs x86 or x64
Are sure it is Samsung note and not s note?
Edit : it may be that it is a Samsung laptop... So I guess they can bypass the requirement
Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

Considering Note 8, Coming From Google Ecosystem, Have a Few Q's

Hi Everyone,
I currently have the Huawei Nexus 6P and have been using the Google ecosystem (mainly Google Assistant, Google Drive and Google Keep) and have a few questions.
- I use Google Keep on my 6P and also my MacBook to take notes and they sync without problems. Can Samsung Note also work on my Mac and also offer the same synchronizing experience?
- Pretty much, I want to stay within the Google ecosystem as much as possible and the stock Android experience.... I don't want to switch to Samsung's ecosystem (or even their cloud) ... Is there a way to do so with Note 8?
- Bixby has its own screen when you swipe to the left. Is there a way to disable this and replace it with Google Assistant?
- Is there a way to completely disable Bixby if needed?
- Is there a way to get rid of the Touchwiz experience and replace it with stock Nougat theme?
Thank guys, it's a beautiful phone and winning me over the Pixel 2 XL.
boba7523 said:
I currently have the Huawei Nexus 6P and have been using the Google ecosystem (mainly Google Assistant, Google Drive and Google Keep) and have a few questions.
- I use Google Keep on my 6P and also my MacBook to take notes and they sync without problems. Can Samsung Note also work on my Mac and also offer the same synchronizing experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use Samsung Note so I can't comment on that, but there is no reason why you can't continue using Google Keep. It's what I've always used, no matter what phone I have.
- Pretty much, I want to stay within the Google ecosystem as much as possible and the stock Android experience.... I don't want to switch to Samsung's ecosystem (or even their cloud) ... Is there a way to do so with Note 8?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You still will be within the Google ecoystem and can continue using Android the way you always have. No need to start using any of Samsung's services.
- Bixby has its own screen when you swipe to the left. Is there a way to disable this and replace it with Google Assistant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so but I could be wrong. Maybe with the Google launcher? Someone else might have to answer this.
- Is there a way to completely disable Bixby if needed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I have bixby disabled and have even remapped the dedicated bixby button to bring up Google Assistant with a long press and the flashlight with a double tap. There's an app called BX Actions that makes it easy to do.
- Is there a way to get rid of the Touchwiz experience and replace it with stock Nougat theme?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's ways to get it close but not exact. Install the Google launcher from the play store, download one of the many stock-ish themes from the theme store, install icon packs, etc... You'll get used to any remaining small differences. My last phone was stock Android and it took a bit for the Note 8's UI to grow on me but it has. I really like the way it looks with the theme I'm using.
The Note 8 is a truly amazing device. You won't be disappointed.
If you don't want the Samsung experience , why not get a Pixel 2 XL or a lg V30? Is there a specific need that the Note satisfies? Pixel will be a vanilla android experience for sure. Seems it would be easier to stay on the Google phones if that's what you are used to.
Sent from my Galaxy Note8 using XDA Labs
_MetalHead_ said:
I don't use Samsung Note so I can't comment on that, but there is no reason why you can't continue using Google Keep. It's what I've always used, no matter what phone I have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply.
Is the s pen fully compatible with Google Keep though? And for off screen memo, is that a separate app or is that Samsung Note?
And also, when I pull out the S Pen, can I configure it to open Google Keep instead of Samsung Note?
Ideally, I'd like all the note taking stuff (including off screen memo) to be under one notes app, which is Google Keep. I just don't want to use so many apps just for note taking and having to share it to my email or something in order to view it on my Macbook... I want to be able to work on the notes on my GN8 and finish them off on my Macbook.
_MetalHead_ said:
I don't use Samsung Note so I can't comment on that, but there is no reason why you can't continue using Google Keep. It's what I've always used, no matter what phone I have.
You still will be within the Google ecoystem and can continue using Android the way you always have. No need to start using any of Samsung's services.
I don't think so but I could be wrong. Maybe with the Google launcher? Someone else might have to answer this.
Yes. I have bixby disabled and have even remapped the dedicated bixby button to bring up Google Assistant with a long press and the flashlight with a double tap. There's an app called BX Actions that makes it easy to do.
There's ways to get it close but not exact. Install the Google launcher from the play store, download one of the many stock-ish themes from the theme store, install icon packs, etc... You'll get used to any remaining small differences. My last phone was stock Android and it took a bit for the Note 8's UI to grow on me but it has. I really like the way it looks with the theme I'm using.
The Note 8 is a truly amazing device. You won't be disappointed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nuclearrage said:
If you don't want the Samsung experience , why not get a Pixel 2 XL or a lg V30? Is there a specific need that the Note satisfies? Pixel will be a vanilla android experience for sure. Seems it would be easier to stay on the Google phones if that's what you are used to.
Sent from my Galaxy Note8 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a Note 2 way back in the day and loved it for its uniqueness. This was back when the Android UI was just butt ugly. My Note 2 had a bunch of bloatware from AT&T and also Samsung, and TouchWiz was horrific.
That deterred me from even consider any of the Note series phones...... Until recently.
I was very excited about the Pixel 2 XL and even pre-ordered it... But excitement quickly died down because of the price and features I'm getting out of it...
Both phones are around the same price, but the GN8 has the S Pen, BEAUTIFUL screen, and a larger display.
If there was a perfect phone for me, it'd be stock Android experience with GN8's beautiful infinity display and display size.
boba7523 said:
I had a Note 2 way back in the day and loved it for its uniqueness. This was back when the Android UI was just butt ugly. My Note 2 had a bunch of bloatware from AT&T and also Samsung, and TouchWiz was horrific.
That deterred me from even consider any of the Note series phones...... Until recently.
I was very excited about the Pixel 2 XL and even pre-ordered it... But excitement quickly died down because of the price and features I'm getting out of it...
Both phones are around the same price, but the GN8 has the S Pen, BEAUTIFUL screen, and a larger display.
If there was a perfect phone for me, it'd be stock Android experience with GN8's beautiful infinity display and display size.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wont be able to get s-pen functionality on keep. Samsung notes is pretty awesome though. To be honest Samsung it a pretty full fledged ecosystem all its own so your concerns are legitimate. There will be compromises. I would suggest buying it and trying it out within the 15 day return policy time and if it doesn't gel just grab the pixel xl 2.
I don't use any of Samsung's services and not using them in no way impacts the google experience, the phone is Android, all it's services work just as expected in the same way they work on any Android phone. Samsung has greatly improved their apps making them worth a look if you're of a mind. I find I like the dialer better than Googles for instance, the calendar less, and so on.
I also use Keep but use Samsung notes as well. It's not quite as wacky as you might think. Long term notes and a few I share with Mrs crab go into keep. Shorter term stuff I do in Samsung. For example take a shopping list. I'll do this by writing on the AOD, minimize it, and later on when I get to the store maximize it. Then my list is up without even turning the phone on. When I'm done I double tap the garbage can and it's gone. Longer term stuff that will often be more typing I simply open Keep and go that way. This works out pretty well because where Samsung notes and the S-pen really excel in comparison to Keep is at jotting down something quickly with the pen which in turn tends to be things you will use quickly and discard. On the other hand keep has more options that can be leveraged and make it the long term choice. The end result is that you spread the workload out using Samsung notes for one thing, Keep for another.
boba7523 said:
Hi Everyone,
I currently have the Huawei Nexus 6P and have been using the Google ecosystem (mainly Google Assistant, Google Drive and Google Keep) and have a few questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I am not completely in Apple or even Google's ecosystem (I see myself somewhere in the middle of a Venn diagram between those and a number of others), I may try to suggest some things.
boba7523 said:
I use Google Keep on my 6P and also my MacBook to take notes and they sync without problems. Can Samsung Note also work on my Mac and also offer the same synchronizing experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I personally prefer using Evernote Plus, what I can say for what you sad is a no. Samsung Notes can only sync with a Samsung account, and is only available on Galaxy phones. Your best bet would to install SideSync on both your phone and laptop, and use your phone on your laptop.
I do use Samsung Notes, but primarily for the "screen off memo" feature.
Even then, I understand why some people don't use Evernote, because they used to allow unlimited devices for free, but later increased that limit to up to 2 devices for free, which means I'm stuck paying for a Plus subscription if I actually want to use the service.
Also, go to the full editor here on XDA, if you want to use other markup features like the bullet points, instead of hyphens. I corrected that for you.
boba7523 said:
Pretty much, I want to stay within the Google ecosystem as much as possible and the stock Android experience.... I don't want to switch to Samsung's ecosystem (or even their cloud) ... Is there a way to do so with Note 8?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I do use some of Samsung's services, but mainly because I also have a Galaxy Tab A.
(Yes, 2 out of my 3 Androids are Samsung devices, both on stock software)
Even then, if you want to get the closest to stock Android while staying on the stock Samsung Experience* software, I'll link to what I use.
This theme, (though I wish it would theme the Android "DeviceDefault" theme, but it doesn't). There's also another theme called "Pixel UI", but there are many variants of that. I don't use that or Samsung's default theme because I'm not a fan of unified icon shapes, and I'm also not a fan of ultra-white UIs.
"Navbar Apps" (to force the navigation bar to be black, instead of Samsung's white)
Nova Launcher (but I'm sure there would be something more suited to you, like "Lawnchair")
A bunch of apps from the Play Store that are published by Google themselves. Not counting the Google apps already installed as part of Google Play Services, I only have Gboard, Google Calendar, and Clock. (For other apps, I am already using non-Google apps, such as QuickPic (in addition to the stock Samsung gallery), and Pale Moon + Firefox Focus (web browsers))
*It was called TouchWiz, but with the release of 8.0 on the Galaxy S8, Samsung renamed it to "Samsung Experience". Even then, they have improved since TouchWiz Nature UX 3.5 on my Galaxy Note3 I used to have years ago.
boba7523 said:
Bixby has its own screen when you swipe to the left. Is there a way to disable this and replace it with Google Assistant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is only in the stock Samsung launcher, which I don't use, because it's a little hard to use, has wasted screen real estate (in my opinion), and I'm also more of a stock Android person, but by that I mean stuff like LineageOS, rather than Google Nexus and Pixel devices.
I use Nova Launcher Prime instead. Even if you use Samsung's own launcher, Bixby Home can be disabled, but can't be replaced with the Google app.
The only real downside of not using Samsung's launcher on their phones, besides Bixby Home, is the fact that the fancy Weather widget can only be used within their launcher. I haven't had time to buy this from the Play Store, but I'm sure I can just add a clone of the Samsung weather widget, and have that be linked to open the Samsung weather app, assuming the setting to add the icon to the launcher is enabled.
boba7523 said:
Is there a way to completely disable Bixby if needed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't need to answer that, because MetalHead had already done so.
Even then, I do use Bixby, but only because I don't use Google Assistant due to privacy concerns. (This is actually in contradiction to me completely ignoring S Voice on my Note3)
boba7523 said:
Is there a way to get rid of the Touchwiz experience and replace it with stock Nougat theme?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bad news: You would have to root the phone, install a custom recovery, and a custom ROM based on stock Android, which gives you a number of consequences, including, but not limited to:
Voided warranty
Samsung Knox security killed off, which means you would never be able to use its features, including Samsung Pay
A number of Samsung features won't work in ROMs based on stock Android (at least on my Note3 many years ago)
Battery charging only up to 80% (based on some rumours I read)
boba7523 said:
Thank guys, it's a beautiful phone and winning me over the Pixel 2 XL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added 23rd October 2017 at 12:02 AM ---------- Previous post was 22nd October 2017 at 11:45 PM ----------
Oh! I forgot to mention something! My customisations unfortunately can't cover up the really hard to read Samsung emoji font.
Gee, I wish I had the right contacts to start a petition against Samsung's mobile device division, asking them to give users the option to use stock Android emoji, and also to use free fonts as UI fonts (instead of being restricted to Monotype's ecosystem for the font choices).
krabman said:
I don't use any of Samsung's services and not using them in no way impacts the google experience, the phone is Android, all it's services work just as expected in the same way they work on any Android phone. Samsung has greatly improved their apps making them worth a look if you're of a mind. I find I like the dialer better than Googles for instance, the calendar less, and so on.
I also use Keep but use Samsung notes as well. It's not quite as wacky as you might think. Long term notes and a few I share with Mrs crab go into keep. Shorter term stuff I do in Samsung. For example take a shopping list. I'll do this by writing on the AOD, minimize it, and later on when I get to the store maximize it. Then my list is up without even turning the phone on. When I'm done I double tap the garbage can and it's gone. Longer term stuff that will often be more typing I simply open Keep and go that way. This works out pretty well because where Samsung notes and the S-pen really excel in comparison to Keep is at jotting down something quickly with the pen which in turn tends to be things you will use quickly and discard. On the other hand keep has more options that can be leveraged and make it the long term choice. The end result is that you spread the workload out using Samsung notes for one thing, Keep for another.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Have you attempted to just do everything on the Samsung Note? Do you know if there's a way to use Samsung Notes on my Macbook (or any OS in general) and have it auto save to Google Drive? Trying to keep my workflow continuous..
krabman said:
I don't use any of Samsung's services and not using them in no way impacts the google experience, the phone is Android, all it's services work just as expected in the same way they work on any Android phone. Samsung has greatly improved their apps making them worth a look if you're of a mind. I find I like the dialer better than Googles for instance, the calendar less, and so on.
I also use Keep but use Samsung notes as well. It's not quite as wacky as you might think. Long term notes and a few I share with Mrs crab go into keep. Shorter term stuff I do in Samsung. For example take a shopping list. I'll do this by writing on the AOD, minimize it, and later on when I get to the store maximize it. Then my list is up without even turning the phone on. When I'm done I double tap the garbage can and it's gone. Longer term stuff that will often be more typing I simply open Keep and go that way. This works out pretty well because where Samsung notes and the S-pen really excel in comparison to Keep is at jotting down something quickly with the pen which in turn tends to be things you will use quickly and discard. On the other hand keep has more options that can be leveraged and make it the long term choice. The end result is that you spread the workload out using Samsung notes for one thing, Keep for another.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kbhasi said:
While I am not completely in Apple or even Google's ecosystem (I see myself somewhere in the middle of a Venn diagram between those and a number of others), I may try to suggest some things.
While I personally prefer using Evernote Plus, what I can say for what you sad is a no. Samsung Notes can only sync with a Samsung account, and is only available on Galaxy phones. Your best bet would to install SideSync on both your phone and laptop, and use your phone on your laptop.
I do use Samsung Notes, but primarily for the "screen off memo" feature.
Even then, I understand why some people don't use Evernote, because they used to allow unlimited devices for free, but later increased that limit to up to 2 devices for free, which means I'm stuck paying for a Plus subscription if I actually want to use the service.
Also, go to the full editor here on XDA, if you want to use other markup features like the bullet points, instead of hyphens. I corrected that for you.
Well, I do use some of Samsung's services, but mainly because I also have a Galaxy Tab A.
(Yes, 2 out of my 3 Androids are Samsung devices, both on stock software)
Even then, if you want to get the closest to stock Android while staying on the stock Samsung Experience* software, I'll link to what I use.
This theme, (though I wish it would theme the Android "DeviceDefault" theme, but it doesn't). There's also another theme called "Pixel UI", but there are many variants of that. I don't use that or Samsung's default theme because I'm not a fan of unified icon shapes, and I'm also not a fan of ultra-white UIs.
"Navbar Apps" (to force the navigation bar to be black, instead of Samsung's white)
Nova Launcher (but I'm sure there would be something more suited to you, like "Lawnchair")
A bunch of apps from the Play Store that are published by Google themselves. Not counting the Google apps already installed as part of Google Play Services, I only have Gboard, Google Calendar, and Clock. (For other apps, I am already using non-Google apps, such as QuickPic (in addition to the stock Samsung gallery), and Pale Moon + Firefox Focus (web browsers))
*It was called TouchWiz, but with the release of 8.0 on the Galaxy S8, Samsung renamed it to "Samsung Experience". Even then, they have improved since TouchWiz Nature UX 3.5 on my Galaxy Note3 I used to have years ago.
That is only in the stock Samsung launcher, which I don't use, because it's a little hard to use, has wasted screen real estate (in my opinion), and I'm also more of a stock Android person, but by that I mean stuff like LineageOS, rather than Google Nexus and Pixel devices.
I use Nova Launcher Prime instead. Even if you use Samsung's own launcher, Bixby Home can be disabled, but can't be replaced with the Google app.
The only real downside of not using Samsung's launcher on their phones, besides Bixby Home, is the fact that the fancy Weather widget can only be used within their launcher. I haven't had time to buy this from the Play Store, but I'm sure I can just add a clone of the Samsung weather widget, and have that be linked to open the Samsung weather app, assuming the setting to add the icon to the launcher is enabled.
I don't need to answer that, because MetalHead had already done so.
Even then, I do use Bixby, but only because I don't use Google Assistant due to privacy concerns. (This is actually in contradiction to me completely ignoring S Voice on my Note3)
Bad news: You would have to root the phone, install a custom recovery, and a custom ROM based on stock Android, which gives you a number of consequences, including, but not limited to:
Voided warranty
Samsung Knox security killed off, which means you would never be able to use its features, including Samsung Pay
A number of Samsung features won't work in ROMs based on stock Android (at least on my Note3 many years ago)
Battery charging only up to 80% (based on some rumours I read)
---------- Post added 23rd October 2017 at 12:02 AM ---------- Previous post was 22nd October 2017 at 11:45 PM ----------
Oh! I forgot to mention something! My customisations unfortunately can't cover up the really hard to read Samsung emoji font.
Gee, I wish I had the right contacts to start a petition against Samsung's mobile device division, asking them to give users the option to use stock Android emoji, and also to use free fonts as UI fonts (instead of being restricted to Monotype's ecosystem for the font choices).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your thorough reply, I appreciate it.
So there's no way to have the Google Now cards (I think that's what they're called) to be on its own screen kind of like how the 6P and Pixels have them? I was hoping I can replace Bixby's card screen with Google Now.
boba7523 said:
So there's no way to have the Google Now cards (I think that's what they're called) to be on its own screen kind of like how the 6P and Pixels have them? I was hoping I can replace Bixby's card screen with Google Now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could, if you do not use the stock Samsung launcher.
I think Nova Launcher has an extension to have Google Now in there, but I think that's only in the upcoming 5.5 version. I think Lawnchair is also the only the only other launcher to support that, but I can't remember.
Another way is to sideload the Pixel Launcher, but some features don't work unless it's installed as a system app, which requires the phone be rooted, but again, that results in the consequences I stated.
boba7523 said:
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Have you attempted to just do everything on the Samsung Note? Do you know if there's a way to use Samsung Notes on my Macbook (or any OS in general) and have it auto save to Google Drive? Trying to keep my workflow continuous..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's not something I've tried. Maybe someone else can chime in on that. Keep does the things I do with it seamlessly, I've no reason to change for the sake of change. There is also the question of going back. Who knows what my next phone will be and I've gone back and forth frequently between various Sammy devices, Nexus, Pixel, and a smattering of others. I've found that getting into Samsung is easier than getting out of Samsung whereas the Google services just work across the board. As I said the killer feature of the Note for me is the S-pen. I use it at work to annotate pictures with dimensions and so on and in general use it's excellent for that quick throwaway note jotted down with the pen. The ability to pin to AOD makes the feature a standout for things like shopping lists that can be used from the AOD. For me it is an excellent augment to Keep used in that way because it gives me the use it's best for and leaves the majority of my data in Keep where it will be no matter what device I move to next.
I use Action Launcher, probably the most underrated launcher in the business and one that allows you to set up a swipe to Now screen if you wish. I find it's easier just to have a shortcut set for google as this allows the swipe left to access a widget screen. Another widget screen to the right and you've got all the widgets up most people will need. With AL you can then set up the dock in pages and bury multiple shortcuts under covers. Almost everything I do is directly underneath the main shortcuts in the dock and accessible with a swipe. The ability to set shortcuts that can open the widget or app depending on what you want is a bonus. I could go on for a while but can sum it up in that I was a die hard Nova man but would never consider going back, the covers feature is a killer one that takes a little time to fully get because its quite powerful and creates many options you never had before.
So there is no way to get the S-Pen to activate Google Keep instead of Samsung Note?
There are a lot of good responses in this thread. I have Pixel, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2XL phones, in addition to Galaxy S6, S7, S8 and Note 8 (and a few older devices like Nexus 5x/6P and samsung Note 5/S6 Edige Plus, and older..)...
I basically install a few apps from the Play Store that are not pre-installed...
Google Drive
Google Photos
Google Docs
Google Calendar
Gboard The Google Keyboard
Google Maps
Contacts
Android Messages (I use this for SMS/MMS instead of Verizon’s Messages+ or the Stock Samsung Messages app)
Hangouts
Google Cloud Print
Calculator
A few extra I get and install to make my Galaxy S7/S8/Note 8 more “Nexus/Pixel” Like. These are NOT from the play store, so you have to allow 3rd party installs, and “side load” these (download to your phone, use a file manager to visit your downloads, and tap the APK file, and let it install)....
Rootless Pixel Launcher (gives you the Pixel launcher, rather than Samsung’s TouchWiz UI) I use the 2.1 version.
Patched Google Phone (gives you the same phone app used on the Nexus/Pixel phones). NOTE: I use 12.0.167196395 which is no longer listed in the thread's OP, but the APK is in the thread... I haven’t tried the newest one yet.
Instead of using the Rootless Pixel Launcher, you could use either of the following...
Google Now Launcher
Rootless Pixel 2 launcher
Because I use Verizon branded Samsungs, there is some bloat I disable... (have to view system apps to see a few of these so they can be disabled).
Caller Name ID
Cloud
DT Ignite (re-check this one after each android update, as the android/phone updates might re-enable it)
Hancom Office Editor
Message+ (Unles you’d rather use this for SMS/MMS Messages. I use a different app for SMS/MMS messages)
Support & Protection
Look at an old app called Note Buddy. Might have some useful features for the SPen. (haven't used it since Note 3)

Note Taking Workflow

I've just upgraded to my shiny new Note 8, I have to say so far I'm loving it.
I'm enjoying taking notes on the run, on calls, just as an when I need them. I've a couple of questions for some power users.
Can you control the screen on time for the screen off notes. It turns off a little quickly for my liking?
I thought I'd use OneNote on the Note, but the tools are better in Samsung notes. The big thing being the eraser on the side. But this leaves my notes locked into the phone. Is there any app that can connect on my PC to access the Samsung cloud and review my notes?

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