Run Joplin: Private Notes with Cloud Sync on Any Device

// Before you start

What you need

A Windows, macOS, or Linux computer
An internet connection for the download
Optional: a Dropbox, OneDrive, or Nextcloud account if you want sync

Step 1 of 6

Download the Joplin installer for your operating system

2 min

Joplin publishes ready-to-run installers on its official website and GitHub releases page. You do not need to compile anything. Just pick the file that matches your computer.

Terminal · mac

$ Open your browser and go to: https://joplinapp.org/download/

$ Windows → click 'Windows' and run the downloaded .exe

$ macOS → click 'macOS' and open the downloaded .dmg

$ Linux → click 'Linux' — an AppImage file downloads; see Step 2

What you should see

A file downloads to your Downloads folder (e.g. Joplin-Setup-3.x.x.exe on Windows).

This might happen

Windows SmartScreen or macOS Gatekeeper blocks the installer

Windows: click 'More info' then 'Run anyway'. macOS: go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll down and click 'Open Anyway'.

Step 2 of 6

Install and launch Joplin

3 min

Run the installer you just downloaded. On Linux the AppImage does not install — it runs directly. On Windows and macOS the installer places Joplin in your Applications folder and creates a shortcut.

Terminal · mac

$ Windows : double-click the .exe and follow the on-screen prompts

$ macOS : drag Joplin from the .dmg window into your Applications folder, then open it

$ Linux (AppImage):

$ chmod +x Joplin-*.AppImage

$ ./Joplin-*.AppImage

What you should see

Joplin opens showing a welcome notebook with a sample note on the left panel.

This might happen

Linux: 'Permission denied' when running the AppImage

Run the chmod command above first — it makes the file executable.

Step 3 of 6

Create your first notebook and note

2 min

Joplin organises everything into Notebooks (like folders) and Notes inside them. You write notes in Markdown — plain text with simple symbols for bold, headings, and lists. You do not need to know Markdown; you can use the toolbar buttons instead.

Terminal · mac

$ In the app:

$ 1. Click the '+' icon next to 'Notebooks' in the left sidebar → type a name → press Enter

$ 2. Click the '+' icon in the note list panel → type a title

$ 3. Click in the editor area on the right and start typing your note

What you should see

Your new notebook appears in the sidebar and your note is saved automatically as you type.

Step 4 of 6

Set up cloud sync so notes appear on all your devices

5 min

Sync is optional but very useful. Joplin supports Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, and its own paid Joplin Cloud. Dropbox is the easiest free option. You will authorise Joplin once and it handles everything after that.

Terminal · mac

$ In Joplin:

$ 1. Click Tools → Options (Windows/Linux) or Joplin → Preferences (macOS)

$ 2. Click 'Synchronisation' in the left menu

$ 3. Under 'Synchronisation target' choose Dropbox (or your preferred service)

$ 4. Click 'Show advanced settings' if needed, then click 'Check synchronisation configuration'

$ 5. A browser window opens — log in to Dropbox and click 'Allow'

$ 6. Return to Joplin and click 'Apply', then click the sync icon (circular arrows) in the toolbar

What you should see

Joplin shows 'Completed: xx items uploaded' in the status bar at the bottom.

This might happen

The browser authorisation window does not open automatically

Copy the URL shown in the Joplin sync dialog and paste it manually into your browser.

Step 5 of 6

Install Joplin on your phone and connect the same sync account

3 min

Install the free Joplin app on Android (Google Play) or iOS (App Store), then point it at the same sync service. Your notes will appear within seconds.

Terminal · mac

$ Android: search 'Joplin' on Google Play and install

$ iOS : search 'Joplin' on the App Store and install

$ Inside the mobile app:

$ 1. Tap the menu (≡) → Configuration → Synchronisation

$ 2. Choose the same sync target you set on desktop (e.g. Dropbox)

$ 3. Tap 'Authorise Dropbox' and log in

$ 4. Tap the sync button — your notes download automatically

What you should see

All notebooks and notes from your desktop appear on your phone.

This might happen

Notes do not appear on the phone after syncing

Make sure you chose the exact same sync target and account on both devices. Tap sync again and wait 30 seconds.

Step 6 of 6

Enable end-to-end encryption for maximum privacy

3 min

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) means your notes are scrambled before they leave your device. Even Dropbox or OneDrive cannot read them. You set a master password once — keep it safe, there is no recovery if you forget it.

Terminal · mac

$ In Joplin desktop:

$ 1. Tools → Options → Encryption

$ 2. Toggle 'Enable encryption' to ON

$ 3. Enter a strong master password and confirm it

$ 4. Click 'Apply'

$ 5. Sync once more so the encrypted data uploads

What you should see

Joplin shows 'Encryption is enabled' and the next sync uploads encrypted versions of your notes.

This might happen

You forget your master password

There is no password reset. Write it down and store it somewhere safe before enabling encryption.

// Status

cooked. baked. worked.

A fully working private note-taking app on your desktop and phone, with automatic encrypted sync between devices and offline access to all your notes.

// the honest bit

The honest part

Joplin is a mature, well-maintained app — not an experiment. However, the mobile apps have fewer features than the desktop version. The free sync options (Dropbox, OneDrive) depend on third-party services; Joplin Cloud is paid. If you switch sync providers later, you must migrate carefully or risk duplicate notes. Web Clipper requires a separate browser extension install not covered here.