Google Keep, Google’s notes and lists app for Android and iOS, lets you add notes, lists, photos and voice memos while you are on the go. Everything is organized using color-coding, time and location-based reminders and labels, and you can access it all from your smartphone, tablet, computer or even an Android Wear smartwatch.

Earlier this week, Google updated the Android version of Google Keep to include the ability to add drawings to notes and lists as well as annotating photos. This is certainly not a revolutionary feature; apps like Evernote and others have long since included drawing features.

At the time of writing, the latest Google Keep update was not available yet, but it will roll out over the coming days. If you have not received an update for Google Keep yet and want to try out the new drawing features, you can download and install the APKMirror (via AndroidPolice).

How to add drawings to Google Keep notes

To add a drawing in a new note, simply tap the Drawing icon (pen) at the bottom right of the main screen of the Google Keep app and start drawing. To close your drawing, tap the back arrow in the top left.

To add a drawing to an existing note or list or to annotate a photo, open the note you want to add a drawing to, tap the overflow menu (three dots, top-right corner) and tap Add drawing and start drawing.

You can also add drawings to notes from the Google Keep widgets. A pen icon has been added to the 1×3 Google Keep widget. Simply tap the pen icon and add your drawing. In the 2×3 Google Keep widget, tap the plus icon, tap the pen icon to add a drawing to a note.

You can use your finger to draw or a stylus if you have one handy.

A selection of drawing tools is available, including:

• Selection tool: lets you reposition your drawing on the canvas or on a photo.
• Eraser tool: Erase drawings, text highlights, and more. To clear the entire canvas, double-tap the eraser tool or swipe up on the toolbar and tap the Clear Canvas button.
• Pen selection: Select a pen, marker, or highlighter.
• A selection of 28 colors and eight pen sizes. To see color and size options, tap the brush again or drag the bottom toolbar up. For an even larger selection of colors, drag up again on the bottom toolbar, or tap the Expand icon (upwards facing arrow).

How to change your view or edit your drawing in Google Keep

Not happy with your drawing? Google Keep has a number of editing tools available:

• Zoom in: Move two fingers apart on the canvas.
• Zoom out: Pinch two fingers together on the canvas.
• Pan: Touch and drag the canvas with two fingers.
• Select, move, or resize part of your drawing:
  • Touch the Select icon (dotted square with an arrow), then use your finger to select part of your drawing.
  • To scale your selection, pinch or expand with two fingers.
  • To move your selection, drag it with one finger.
  • Top clear your selection, tap the Select icon or drag up on the toolbar and tap the Clear Selection button.

• Undo actions: Touch the Undo icon at the top right of the screen.
• Redo actions: Touch the Redo icon at the top right of the screen.
• Remove the drawing: Touch the Remove icon on the drawing (circled x).

Your drawings will sync across all your devices and you can share them just like you would a normal note, list or photo.

Source: Engadget, The Verge

Image credit: Wikimedia, drawing added in Google Keep