Getting Started
Q: What is Simple Gmail Notes?
A browser extension that lets you attach private notes to any Gmail message. Notes are stored in your own Google Drive — not on our servers — so you keep full control of your data.
Q: Which platforms does the extension support?
Desktop browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari. On mobile, you can view notes through the Simple Mobile CRM app or the CRM Gmail Add-on.
Q: Where are my notes stored?
In your own Google Drive, under a dedicated folder. We never see or store note contents on our servers. Uninstalling the extension does not delete your notes — they remain in Google Drive.
Q: How do I install the extension?
Open the Chrome Web Store (or Firefox Add-ons / Edge Add-ons / Safari Extensions), search for "Simple Gmail Notes", and add it to your browser. Then open Gmail and grant Google Drive access the first time you write a note. Alternatively, you can download from here.
Notes & Sharing
Q: Can I view notes across different machines / browsers?
Yes. In the same Gmail inbox, sign into the extension with the same Google Drive account, and you will see the same notes.
Q: Can I attach files to a note?
Yes — note attachment can be done via the Simple Mobile CRM.
Q: Are my notes encrypted?
Notes are transmitted over HTTPS and stored in your Google Drive, but they are not separately encrypted at rest beyond Google Drive's own encryption. Don't store anything in a note that you wouldn't store in a Google Doc.
Q: Why can't I see the note abstract on the email list?
The abstract can take up to 2 seconds to appear after the Gmail list loads. If it consistently fails to show, please send us your debug info (see the troubleshooting section below).
Q: Why did my SGN textarea suddenly disappear?
Try refreshing Gmail with a full reload (click the address bar and press Enter). If it persists, test in a clean Chrome profile (Guest window or a new profile) — extension or cookie conflicts in your main profile are the most common cause.
Subscription
Q: What is the SGN Subscription?
An optional paid subscription that unlocks premium features — unlimited monthly notes, unlimited search results, advanced colour controls, template auto-load, hidden subscriber icons — and gives you prioritised email support. It also supports ongoing development.
Q: How do I start a subscription?
Open the subscription page and pick a plan. After payment you'll be returned to a confirmation page.
Q: How do I activate paid features after subscribing?
In Gmail, open any message, click the settings (gear) icon above the note editor, then scroll to the Subscriber Options section. Each Gmail account on your browser appears as a row. Click Activate Subscription on the row matching the account you paid with. Activation is server-verified and takes effect immediately. [Learn More]
Q: Where can I view my past invoices and manage my card?
At our payment accounts page on the SGN portal. Sign in with the Google account you used when subscribing, and you can see every payment account, view invoices, change credit card, and cancel.
Q: How do I cancel my subscription?
Through the customer portal (above). Cancelling only disables the subscriber-only features — all your notes remain fully accessible in Google Drive.
Multi-Seat Licensing
Q: What is Multi-Seat Licensing?
A single annual subscription that covers multiple users — useful when one administrator pays on behalf of staff. Each assigned email gets full premium-feature access; the administrator handles all billing.
Q: How many seats does Multi-Seat Licensing support?
Plans are available in tiers up to 20 seats. Choose the plan that matches your headcount on the Multi-Seat Licensing page.
Q: How do I add users to a Multi-Seat License I've purchased?
Open the payment account page, sign in with the email you used when purchasing, and find the subscription. Each multi-seat sub has an inline editor — enter the seat user emails, one per line, and save.
Q: I was added as a seat user — how do I activate?
Same as a regular subscriber: in Gmail, open settings → Subscriber Options → click Activate Subscription on the row matching your Gmail account. The system checks the administrator's subscription metadata for your email and grants access automatically.
Q: I added myself to a seat but activation fails — what's wrong?
Search index lag (~2 minutes) after the admin adds your email. Wait briefly and try Activate Subscription again. If it still fails, double-check with your admin that your email was entered correctly and that the subscription is currently active.
CRM Integration
Q: How does Simple Gmail Notes relate to Simple Mobile CRM?
They share an account system. A CRM subscription automatically unlocks SGN subscription, but not vice versa. See here for details.
Q: How do I view my notes on mobile?
Install the Simple Mobile CRM app and sign in with the same Google account. Notes sync automatically and become editable on mobile. You can also view them through the CRM Gmail Add-on inside the Gmail mobile app.
Q: Does Mark Done work for notes?
Yes — Mark Done works for notes. Click the Mark Done button on the SGN toolbar; once marked done, the note appears grayed out with a strikethrough.
Q: Is there a Zapier integration?
Yes — through our CRM integration. We have a Zapier integration with a "new note" trigger that you can use to forward note events into your other automation tools. (The Chrome extension on its own does not connect to Zapier.)
Delegated Gmail
Q: Does the extension work with Google delegated access?
Yes. When you're working inside another user's mailbox via delegation, SGN recognises the delegated context and keys notes to your own (delegating) Google Drive — so your notes don't get mixed up with the owner's.
Privacy & Security
Q: Who can see my notes?
Only you. Notes live in your Google Drive under a dedicated folder. We have no access to the contents.
Q: How does CRM integration change this?
The privacy model above describes Simple Gmail Notes used on its own. If you opt into our CRM features (the Simple Mobile CRM app, the CRM Gmail Add-on, or the Zapier integration), notes are also synced to our server so those tools can read them — your Google Drive copy alone can't be reached from a mobile app or an external automation. Your Google Drive copy remains yours and is still the source of truth.
If you handle sensitive or regulated data and need notes to stay off our servers, use Simple Gmail Notes on its own without enabling the CRM integration.
Q: Does the extension comply with HIPAA?
Notes are stored in Google Drive, which can be configured for HIPAA-compliant use under a Google Workspace BAA. Treat the SGN extension itself as you would any third-party tool that touches PHI — review with your compliance team before using it in regulated contexts. (Note: enabling CRM integration changes this picture — see the CRM-integration question above.)
Q: Why does Google Drive ask me to log in again?
For security, Google Drive access tokens expire periodically. Re-logging in is normal and doesn't affect your stored notes.
Troubleshooting
Q: I see a "20 consecutive network requests detected" warning.
A safety brake that triggers when API calls fire too quickly (typically from very fast email browsing). Wait a few seconds and SGN resumes normally — no data is lost.
Q: I see a token error after login. What now?
Open SGN preferences and enable "Always use new window for login" as a workaround. If problems persist, sign out, clear your browser cookies for the affected Gmail/Drive accounts, and sign back in.
Q: How do I sync my SGN settings between devices?
In settings → Subscriber Options, click Export Settings on the source device. On the destination device, sign in to the same account, then click Import Settings and choose the file. It's an SGN subscriber feature.
Q: How do I search regular Google Drive documents without SGN notes appearing?
Add -type:document to your Drive search query, or search at docs.google.com (which excludes Drive's general document listing).
Q: How do I uninstall the extension?
At chrome://extensions/ (or your browser's equivalent), find Simple Gmail Notes and click Remove. Notes remain in your Google Drive folder and can be accessed at any time.
Q: How do I send debug information for a bug report?
Open any Gmail message so SGN is active, click the SGN icon in your browser's extension area, open Preferences, scroll to the bottom of the page, and copy the debug info block. Include it in your support email.