Notes (Privacy Friendly)

SECUSO - Security Usability Society | Note

7 Downloads 17 Views v2.2 8.09 MB 4.1+

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(8.09 MB)

Editor's Overview

Notes (Privacy Friendly) is a note application developed by SECUSO - Security Usability Society, packaged as a single Android APK of version 2.2 weighing in at 8.09 MB. The package targets Android 4.1+ and above. Below you'll find the publisher's own description, a quick spec sheet, and a short buyer-beware checklist so you know exactly what you're installing before tapping download.

Install Checklist

Only download through the button on this page — never from third-party mirrors or shortened links, which are the most common way malware spreads.
File size is a light 8.09 MB, so it installs quickly even on modest connections.
This build is signed by "SECUSO - Security Usability Society" — always verify the developer name matches what's listed on the app's official store page before installing an update.
After install, Android may prompt you to allow "Install from unknown sources" — approve only this one install, then revoke the permission in Settings > Apps > Special access.
We link directly to the APK file or the publisher's repository; we do not modify the binary. Always run a virus scan after any sideloaded install.

About this app

Privacy Friendly Notes allows you to take and manage notes on Android devices. It belongs to the Privacy Friendly Apps group developed by the research group SECUSO at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. More information can be found an secuso.org/pfa

The following four types of notes are available:
1. Simple text notes
2. Checklist notes
3. Audio notes
4. Sketchnotes

Furthermore, the notes can be grouped into categories, reminders can be assigned to notes and the notes can be exported to the device storage.

How does Privacy Friendly Notes from other similar apps?

1. Minimal Permissions
The permission "RECORD_AUDIO" (Category "Mikrofon") is required to record audio notes. In case this permission is not granted by the user (in Android versions higher than 6) it will not be possible to record audio notes.

"WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" (Category "Speicher") is used to export notes to the device storage. In case this permission is not granted by the user (in Android versions higher than 6) it will not be possible to export notes.

Beside the permissions above the permission “RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED” (Category “Normal/non-critical”) is required to reschedule notifications after a reboot. This permission cannot be modified by the user.

For comparison: The Top Ten of similar apps from the Google Play Store require an average of 11,7 permissions (in December 2016). These are for instance the location permission or the permissions to access, modify or delete storage.

2. No advertisement
Moreover, Privacy Friendly Notes distinguishes from many other applications in the way that it completely relinquishes advertisements. Advertisement might track a user's actions. It could also shorten battery life or use mobile data.

You can reach us via
Bluesky - @secusoresearch.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/secusoresearch.bsky.social
Mastodon - @SECUSO_Research@bawü.social https://xn--baw-joa.social/@SECUSO_Research/
Job opening - https://secuso.aifb.kit.edu/english/Job_Offers.php

Details

Version	v2.2
Size	8.09 MB
Developer	SECUSO - Security Usability Society
Category	Note
Package	org.secuso.privacyfriendlynotes
Android	4.1+
Last Updated	Oct 31, 2026
Downloads	7

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Notes (Privacy Friendly) free to download?
Yes. The APK file linked from this page is free. The developer may offer in-app purchases once installed, but obtaining the installer itself costs nothing.

What Android version does Notes (Privacy Friendly) require?
Android 4.1+ or newer. Installing on older devices may cause crashes or refuse to install.

Is Notes (Privacy Friendly) safe to install?
We link to the exact APK published by SECUSO - Security Usability Society. We do not modify the file. Still, as with any sideloaded app, scan it with a reputable antivirus before opening it, and only grant permissions the app genuinely needs.

How do I update Notes (Privacy Friendly)?
Install the newer version on top of the old one — Android will keep your data. If the signature differs, uninstall first (you may lose local progress).

Why is the app not installing?
Common causes: not enough storage, an older Android version than 4.1+, or a conflicting build already installed. Free up space, check your OS version, and uninstall any previous copy before retrying.

How to Download & Install Notes (Privacy Friendly)

Tap the Download APK button above and save the file to your device.
Open your device Settings → Security (or Apps → Special access → Install unknown apps) and allow your file manager or browser to install unknown apps for this one file only.
Open the downloaded org.secuso.privacyfriendlynotes.apk file from your Downloads folder.
Tap Install and wait for Android to finish.
Open «Notes (Privacy Friendly)» by SECUSO - Security Usability Society and grant only the permissions it actually needs.
Revoke the "unknown sources" permission once you are done installing.

Note: this page hosts or links to the installer only. The application name, icon and description are provided for identification. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.