How to Fix GoodNotes Crashing on Your iPad

If GoodNotes keeps crashing on your iPad, it's frustrating, but the good news is that there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue. Crashes can stem from various factors, including app bugs, system errors, and storage problems. Here’s how you can go about fixing it:

1. Update GoodNotes

The first thing you should check is whether you are using the latest version of the app. App developers frequently release updates to address performance issues and fix bugs. If you're not running the latest version, head to the App Store and update GoodNotes. Sometimes, crashes may occur simply because you’re running an outdated version that has unresolved bugs​.

2. Restart GoodNotes and Your iPad

A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches. First, close the GoodNotes app entirely (by swiping it away from the multitasking screen) and then reopen it. If the crashes persist, try restarting your iPad. This clears up any background processes that may be interfering with GoodNotes, offering a fresh start for the app​.

3. Ensure Your iPad's iOS is Up to Date

Another important factor in app stability is your iPad's operating system. Crashes can happen if the app is not fully compatible with your version of iOS or iPadOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to make sure you have the latest system update. Keeping your iPadOS updated ensures that all system-level bugs are addressed, which can also help improve the performance of third-party apps like GoodNotes​.

4. Free Up Storage Space

If your iPad is running low on storage, this can directly affect the performance of apps, including GoodNotes. Low storage space can cause apps to freeze, crash, or become unresponsive. To check your storage, go to Settings > General > iPad Storage. If you're nearing full capacity, try deleting unused apps, photos, or videos, or moving some data to iCloud or external storage​.

5. Reinstall the App

If none of the above solutions work, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling GoodNotes. This can help remove any corrupted data that might be causing the app to crash. Before uninstalling, make sure all your documents are backed up to iCloud or another cloud service, as reinstalling the app will erase any locally stored files. After reinstalling, you can restore your documents from the cloud​.

6. Check for File Corruption or Too Many Open Documents

Sometimes, a specific file or a large number of open documents can cause GoodNotes to crash. If you’re dealing with very large files or several documents, try closing unnecessary ones. You can also try opening files one by one to identify if a specific document is causing the crash. If the issue is file corruption, backing up your documents and then creating new ones can often solve the issue​.

7. Reset App Settings or Clear Cache (Advanced Step)

In some cases, clearing cache or resetting the app’s settings can help. GoodNotes doesn’t have a built-in option to clear the cache, but you can reset app settings by going to Settings > GoodNotes and selecting any reset options available. This will remove all your custom settings, but it may resolve app instability issues​.

8. Contact GoodNotes Support

If none of these steps resolve the issue, it’s a good idea to reach out to GoodNotes support. Sometimes, issues may be tied to specific device configurations, and their support team can offer more tailored troubleshooting steps. You can contact GoodNotes via their official support page or the in-app help section​.

By following these steps, you can address most causes of GoodNotes crashes. It's always best to ensure your app and system are up to date, as well as manage your device's storage to keep things running smoothly. If problems persist, contacting support is the final step to get assistance with more complex issues.