As a long-time user of the Notability app for taking notes on my iPad, I’ve recorded hundreds of audio clips to sync with my handwritten and typed notes. But when those recordings are no longer needed, I need an easy way to delete them.
After years of daily use of the app, I’ve discovered some simple tricks for quickly finding and deleting audio recordings embedded in your notes. Here are my tips for easily removing audio clips in Notability.
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My Background with Notability
I’m an educator with over 10 years of experience using Notability to take notes in meetings and workshops. I also use it daily to support my own learning and create tutorial materials for my students.
The ability to sync audio recordings with my typed and handwritten notes is an invaluable tool. I can replay parts of a lecture or discussion while viewing the notes I took at that exact time.
Over the years, I’ve recorded thousands of audio clips. I don’t need all of them forever, so being able to delete recordings I no longer need is essential for keeping my Notability notes organized.
Why Delete Recordings?
There are a few key reasons you may want or need to delete audio recordings in Notability:
- Save storage space: Audio files take up storage space on your device. Deleting unneeded recordings frees up room for new notes.
- Reduce clutter: Keeping recordings you no longer need makes it harder to find the notes you need. Deleting them declutters your library.
- Privacy: You may have recordings with sensitive information you don’t want kept indefinitely. Deleting them protects privacy.
How To Delete Note Recordings in Notability
Deleting audio recordings in Notability is easy once you know where to look. Follow these simple steps:
1. Open the note with the recording
Recordings are embedded directly within the notes they were created in. You delete recordings on a note-by-note basis.
- Open the Notability note containing the recording you want to delete.
2. Tap the audio icon
This brings up the media playback bar.
- Tap the microphone icon in the top menu bar to open the audio options.
3. Open recording management
This brings up options for managing recordings in the current note.
- Tap the downward arrow next to the microphone icon.
- Select “Manage Recordings” from the dropdown menu.
4. Select the recording
This displays all recordings created in the currently open note.
- Locate the specific recording you want to delete in the list.
- Tap to select it.
5. Delete the recording
- Tap the trash can icon in the bottom left corner.
- Confirm the deletion when prompted.
The selected recording will be permanently deleted from the note.
Alternative Method
An alternate option is:
- Long press on the audio waveform icon in the note to bring up options.
- Choose “Delete” to remove that specific recording.
This is quicker when you have multiple recordings and only want to delete one or two.
Pro Tips for Managing Notability Recordings
Here are some additional power-user tips for managing audio recordings in Notability:
- Name recordings when you make them so they are easier to identify later.
- Use folders to organize notes containing recordings by class, topic, or meeting.
- Back up recordings before deleting if you might need them later. Copy to a Mac or cloud storage.
- Review recordings before deleting when possible in case you still need them.
Conclusion
Being able to embed synced audio recordings is an invaluable Notability feature. But no one needs to keep every recording forever. Following the steps above, you can easily locate and delete audio clips to keep your notes organized and save storage space.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to delete unwanted recordings in seconds anytime they start cluttering up your Notability library. Use these instructions the next time you need to remove audio from your Notability notes.
