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Android Installation

Install Yooz Notes on your Android phone or tablet as a Progressive Web App (PWA).

What is a PWA?​

A Progressive Web App gives you an app-like experience:

  • Home screen icon - Launch like a native app
  • Full screen mode - No browser chrome
  • Offline access - Works without internet
  • Fast loading - Cached for instant startup

Requirements​

  • Android 8.0 or later
  • Chrome, Edge, or Samsung Internet browser
  • Internet connection (for initial install only)

Installation with Chrome​

Step 1: Open Chrome​

Google Chrome provides the best PWA experience on Android.

Step 2: Navigate to Yooz Notes​

Go to: yooz.live/notes

Step 3: Install Prompt​

Chrome may show an automatic install banner at the bottom:

  • Tap "Install" if you see it
  • Skip to Step 4 if no banner appears

Step 4: Manual Installation​

If no banner appeared:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right
  2. Tap "Install app" or "Add to Home screen"
  3. Confirm by tapping "Install"

Step 5: Launch from Home Screen​

Find the Yooz Notes icon in your app drawer or home screen.

Installation with Samsung Internet​

Step 1: Open Samsung Internet​

Samsung Internet also supports PWA installation.

Step 2: Navigate to Yooz Notes​

Go to: yooz.live/notes

Step 3: Install the App​

  1. Tap the menu icon (three lines)
  2. Tap "Add page to"
  3. Select "Apps screen"
  4. Confirm installation

Installation with Edge​

Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge​

Edge on Android supports PWA installation.

Step 2: Navigate to Yooz Notes​

Go to: yooz.live/notes

Step 3: Install the App​

  1. Tap the menu icon (three dots)
  2. Tap "Add to phone"
  3. Select "Install"

First Launch​

What to Expect​

  1. Splash screen - Brief Yooz branding
  2. Full screen - No browser toolbar
  3. Same data - Notes from browser are there
  4. Standalone window - Appears in recent apps

Setting Up​

  1. Enable encryption if not already done
  2. Verify settings carried over
  3. Create a test note

Features on Android​

What Works Great​

FeatureStatusNotes
Note creationExcellentFull editor
MarkdownExcellentAll formatting
TagsExcellentFull filtering
EncryptionExcellentFull security
Offline modeExcellentWorks offline
Mermaid diagramsExcellentFull rendering
Share intentExcellentShare to Yooz

Android-Specific Features​

  • Share to app - Share text from other apps
  • Recent apps - Appears as separate app
  • Split screen - Works in multi-window
  • Notifications - Supported (when enabled)

Offline Usage​

How It Works​

Once installed, Yooz Notes works offline:

  1. Service worker - Caches app shell
  2. IndexedDB - Stores notes locally
  3. Background sync - Syncs when online (future)

Offline Capabilities​

FeatureOfflineNotes
Read notesYesAll cached
Create notesYesSaved locally
Edit notesYesChanges saved
SearchYesLocal search
ExportYesLocal operation
SyncNoRequires internet

Data Storage​

Where Notes Live​

Your notes are stored in:

  • Chrome's IndexedDB (or your browser's)
  • App-specific storage partition
  • Encrypted file system (Android encryption)

Storage Allocation​

Android is generous with PWA storage:

ConditionStorage
NormalUp to available space
Low storageMay prompt cleanup
Quota exceededRare, very large data

Checking Storage​

  1. Open Android Settings
  2. Go to Apps
  3. Find Yooz Notes
  4. View Storage usage

Updating the App​

Automatic Updates​

PWAs update automatically:

  1. When connected to internet
  2. When app is opened
  3. Background update check

Force Update​

To manually update:

  1. Open Chrome
  2. Go to yooz.live/notes
  3. Chrome fetches latest version
  4. Open PWA to apply

Update Indicators​

The app updates silently. Check version in app settings.

Permissions​

Requested Permissions​

Yooz Notes may request:

PermissionPurposeRequired
StorageSave notesYes
NotificationsReminders (future)Optional

Managing Permissions​

  1. Open Android Settings
  2. Go to Apps → Yooz Notes
  3. Tap Permissions
  4. Toggle as desired

Troubleshooting​

Install Option Missing​

Problem: "Install app" not in menu

Solutions:

  1. Ensure site is fully loaded
  2. Try refreshing the page
  3. Clear Chrome cache and retry
  4. Update Chrome to latest version
  5. Try a different browser

PWA Not Full Screen​

Problem: Browser toolbar still visible

Solutions:

  1. Ensure you opened from home screen icon
  2. Not from browser bookmark
  3. Reinstall the PWA
  4. Check "Open in app" setting

Notes Not Syncing Between Browser and PWA​

Problem: Different notes in Chrome vs PWA

Solutions:

  1. Both should share storage in Chrome
  2. Try closing all instances
  3. Open PWA and wait for sync
  4. Clear app data and reinstall (last resort)

App Crashes​

Problem: Yooz Notes closes unexpectedly

Solutions:

  1. Clear app cache (not data)
  2. Restart your device
  3. Update Android WebView
  4. Update Chrome
  5. Reinstall PWA

Keyboard Issues​

Problem: Keyboard covers content

Solutions:

  1. Android adjusts automatically
  2. Try different keyboard app
  3. Use landscape mode
  4. Report if persistent

Storage Errors​

Problem: "Storage full" or similar

Solutions:

  1. Check device storage
  2. Clear unused apps
  3. Export and reimport notes
  4. Clear PWA cache (Settings → Apps)

Removing the App​

Uninstall Methods​

From Home Screen:

  1. Long-press Yooz Notes icon
  2. Drag to "Uninstall" or tap "Remove"

From Settings:

  1. Open Settings → Apps
  2. Find Yooz Notes
  3. Tap "Uninstall"

Data After Uninstall​

  • App data may be retained
  • Reinstalling may restore notes
  • Clear data explicitly to remove everything

Tips for Android​

Best Practices​

  1. Use Chrome - Best PWA support
  2. Enable encryption - Protect notes
  3. Update regularly - Open online occasionally
  4. Back up - Export important notes

Tablet-Specific​

  • Split screen - Use alongside other apps
  • Desktop mode - Wider layout available
  • External keyboard - Full shortcut support

Phone-Specific​

  • One-handed mode - Works with system feature
  • Dark mode - Follows system theme
  • Quick settings - No tile available

Comparison: PWA vs Browser​

AspectPWABrowser Tab
LaunchHome screenVia Chrome
Full screenYesNo
Recent appsSeparatePart of Chrome
OfflineBetterGood
UpdatesBackgroundImmediate
SharingShare targetManual

Privacy on Android​

Data Protection​

  • Notes in app sandbox
  • Android encryption at rest
  • Additional Yooz encryption optional

No Data Collection​

  • No analytics
  • No tracking
  • No server communication
  • Fully local operation

Permissions Used​

Only storage permission for saving notes. No location, camera, microphone, or contacts access.

Chrome vs Other Browsers​

  • Best PWA implementation
  • Fastest updates
  • Most features

Alternative: Samsung Internet​

  • Good PWA support
  • Samsung device integration
  • Slightly different experience

Alternative: Edge​

  • Solid PWA support
  • Syncs with Windows Edge
  • Good performance
  • Limited PWA support on Android
  • May not install properly
  • Use Chrome instead

Learn More​