Open planner with just one click: Link Goodnotes document on the home screen

Your phone rings, you need to jot something down quickly, but it takes too long to navigate to the right document? With your digital planner linked directly on your home screen, it only takes one click to get to the right document! Or imagine you're in the middle of cooking and want to quickly look up an ingredient. No more frustrating searching – just tap the icon once, and your digital recipe book opens! 🍳📲

That's exactly why linking Goodnotes documents on the iPad home screen is a game-changer for me. With just one tap, I can open my most important documents without having to navigate through folders or search lists. This saves time, stress, and makes everyday organization so much easier! 😌

Wondering how? In this blog post, I'll show you step-by-step how to add the shortcut to your home screen. Let's get started!

What you need:

✅ An iPad with the Shortcuts app pre-installed (if you don't have it, download it for free from the App Store).
✅ Goodnotes with the document you want to link.
✅ A custom cover for your home screen icon (optional, but super handy for overview).

Don't have a Mini Cover? You can download our free Mini Cover here and test it out for your own documents.

With almost all of our products, you'll receive free mini covers. This way, you can link your planner directly to your home screen and always have it handy.

Linking Goodnotes documents on the home screen - here's how:

1. Prepare document in Goodnotes
   Open your desired document in Goodnotes and note its name. If you created it recently, close Goodnotes once so the system recognizes it.
   

2. Open Shortcuts app
   Open the Shortcuts app. If it's not already preinstalled on your iPad, you can download it for free from the App Store.
   

   

3. Click on the +
   In the app, go to the + at the top of the bar to create the new shortcut for your home screen.
   

   

4. Select Goodnotes
   Click on Apps, scroll down to Goodnotes and select the app to create the shortcut.
   

   

5. Find the right document
   Your previously opened document should now be listed. Alternatively, you can select it using the search function.
   

   

6. Name shortcut
   Enter a suitable name for your shortcut, e.g. digital recipe book or planner 2025 .
   

   
   
   

7. Add shortcut to home screen
   Open Settings and then select “Add to Home Screen.”
   

   
   

8. Choose a suitable mini cover
   Click the icon and then add a display image for your shortcut. If you're using our free mini covers, it's best to import the cover directly from your files. To do this, go to "Choose File" and select the appropriate icon.
   

   
   

If you're wondering what mini covers are and what they're used for:

Your new shortcut appears on your home screen like an app – and like every app, this shortcut needs a recognizable icon. Think of the camera icon on Instagram, the letter in the email app, or the gear for the settings – you see the image and immediately know what it's about. A mini cover for your Goodnotes documents does exactly that: It provides clarity, recognition, and quick access – without having to search for a long time!

Additional tip: Instead of one of our mini covers, you can also add a photo or a self-created icon to your home screen.

9. Add and customize the arrangement on the home screen
   Click on “Add” – and your individual Goodnotes icon will appear on your home screen!
   

   

   Additional tip: If you hold down the icon for a longer time, you can freely arrange it on your home screen. To make it visible at first glance, I recommend dragging the shortcut to the bottom menu bar!

Conclusion: No scrolling, no searching – your most important documents are immediately at hand!

This simple trick will make your Goodnotes use even more efficient—no more searching, no more unnecessary clicks. And the best part: This hack works not only with our Gamechanger Planner , but with all your documents! Whether you want to link your digital diary , your Fivory , or your digital recipe book —just follow the step-by-step instructions! Be sure to try this Goodnotes hack and tell me which document you link first! 😊

Download now for free: Mini cover for your iPad! 🛒✨

To make your home screen look not only practical but also beautiful, you can download matching mini covers for Goodnotes icons here for free. Perfect for even clearer organization! 📲