Google Keep says lockscreen access for notes is ‘coming soon’

Ben Schoon | Feb 20 2024 - 8:25 am PT

Android 14 has been working behind the scenes on a new ability for apps to be assigned as Android’s default “note-taking” app, and while Google Keep has some early support for the feature, it’s not live yet. More recent versions of the app, though, now say that the lockscreen access functionality that this new role delivers is “coming soon.”

Back in December, we discussed how Google Keep was working on support for becoming a system-assigned note-taking app in Android. This adds additional features such as lockscreen access for recent notes as well as enhanced stylus support. But, so far, the functionality isn’t actually available.

That was in version 5.23 of Google Keep, but the 5.24 update more clearly says this added support is still in the pipeline.

If you force the note-taking role in Android 14 to be enabled (through developer options), you can not only assign Google Keep to take up that role, but also set up the lockscreen shortcut. Where Keep previously showed a notice about checking for updates when you trigger this functionality, it now shows a notice that lockscreen access is “coming soon.”

We’re not entirely certain exactly which update changed this page, but it’s live in version 5.24.042.07.90 for us. Since December, Google Keep has issued several minor updates, with 5.24 first showing up towards the end of January.