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How to choose where to store your notes
StarJot integrates seamlessly with Apple's native Files system, giving you complete control over exactly where your notes are kept. You can choose to have your notes securely synced to the cloud via iCloud, or kept strictly locked down on your local device.
Because we believe your mind is your own, we never force you onto a proprietary server or database. Here is how it works when you go to save or open a file.
Choosing your storage location
When you choose where to save your notes for the first time, the StarJot folder on your iCloud Drive will be selected by default.
NOTE
Why iCloud first? This default is specifically designed to help you bypass a quirk in iOS. To keep your iCloud Drive tidy, Apple intentionally hides new app folders until they contain at least one file. Because the StarJot directory won't actually be visible in your main iCloud Drive when it is completely empty, defaulting directly to this secure folder ensures you always have a safe, ready-to-use location to save your work without getting lost in menus.
Keeping notes locally on your device
Sometimes you might have a note that you specifically do not want synchronised to the cloud.
You are never restricted to using iCloud. When the file picker opens, you can easily navigate back and select On My iPhone (or On My iPad). Here, you will see a separate, strictly local StarJot folder.
This is a brilliant way to ensure highly sensitive notes—like unpolished project ideas, private reflections, or draft plans—remain completely local to the physical device you are currently holding.
Viewing your notes in the Files app
Because StarJot uses standard, accessible files rather than a locked-down database, you can easily manage your notes outside of the app whenever you need to.
Once you have saved your first note, you can view your directory structure directly in iOS:
- Open Apple's native Files app on your device.
- Navigate to iCloud Drive (for your synced notes) or On My iPhone (for your local notes).
- Look for your StarJot folder, which will now be permanently visible.
From here, you can back them up, copy them, or organise them exactly as you see fit. Your notes are simply files, and they belong entirely to you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use sub-folders inside the StarJot folder?
Yes, absolutely. Creating sub-folders within your main StarJot directory is a fantastic way to organise your thoughts. This effectively acts as a way to create separate "workspaces"—for example, you could have one folder dedicated entirely to a specific work project, and another for your personal journaling.
Can I move an existing note from local storage to iCloud?
Yes. Because your notes are standard files, you can simply open the Apple Files app, locate the note in your 'On My iPhone' folder, and move or copy it directly into your iCloud StarJot folder. It will instantly sync to your other Apple devices.
Am I locked into using StarJot forever?
No. We do not trap your ideas in a proprietary database. If you ever decide to leave StarJot, your files remain yours. They will still be sitting in your iCloud or local folder, ready to be opened by any other text editor.