Overview

Locked Notecards and Notebooks in Zoho Notebook provide an additional layer of protection for your private information. Any locked item remains inaccessible until you unlock it using your Notebook passcode or biometric authentication (if enabled).

If you're unable to access a Locked content because you've forgotten your passcode or are experiencing unlocking issues, this guide explains the available recovery options and important limitations.

Important: For security and privacy reasons, Zoho cannot view, retrieve, or reset your notebook passcode directly. Recovery is possible only through the recovery methods provided within the app.

Set Up a Notebook Passcode

Before you can lock notes or notebooks, you need to create a Notebook passcode. This passcode is used to unlock all your locked content across Zoho Notebook.

iPhone, iPad, and macOS

1. Open Zoho Notebook.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Open Privacy & Security (on iPhone and iPad) or Privacy (on macOS).
4. Select Passcode Lock.
5. Enable Turn Passcode On (iPhone and iPad) or Passcode Lock (macOS).
6. Enter and confirm your Notebook passcode.
7. Optionally, add a Passcode Hint.

From the same screen, you can also:

• Enable App Lock (iPhone and iPad).
• Enable Face ID, Touch ID, or Biometric Authentication (on supported devices).
• Change the Lock Duration.
  

Android

1. Open Zoho Notebook.
2. Open the Menu (☰).
3. Tap Settings.
4. Go to Privacy & Security.
5. Tap Passcode Lock.
6. Enable Turn Passcode On.
7. Enter and confirm your Notebook passcode.
8. Optionally, add a Passcode Hint.

You can also configure:

Locking Notebooks and notecards

To Lock a Notecard/ Notebook

1. Open the note you want to protect.
2. Click or tap the More Options (⋮) menu.
3. Select Lock.
4. If prompted, create a Notebook passcode.
5. Confirm the passcode to lock the note.
   

Alternatively

Recovering a Forgotten Notebook Passcode

If you've forgotten your Notebook passcode, you can reset it without losing your locked notes.

1. Open Zoho Notebook. 
2. Navigate to your Locked Notebook or Notecard. 
3. On the unlock screen, click Reset Passcode.
   

4. A verification email will be sent to the email address associated with your Zoho account. 
5. Open the email and click the recovery link. 
6. Create a new Notebook passcode. 
7. Return to Zoho Notebook and unlock your Locked Notebook/ Note/ Collection using the new passcode. 

• The recovery link is valid for 30 minutes. 
• The recovery link can be used only once. 
• If the recovery link expires, repeat the process to receive a new email. 
• Resetting your Notebook passcode does not delete your locked notes. 
• If using on web app, refresh the page before entering the new passcode.

If You Didn't Receive the Recovery Email

If the recovery email doesn't arrive:

• Check your Spam, Junk, or Promotions folders.
• Ensure you're checking the email account associated with your Zoho account.
• Wait a few minutes and try again.
• Verify that your internet connection is stable.

If you still don't receive the email, contact the Zoho Notebook support team.

Using Face ID or Fingerprint Authentication

If biometric authentication is enabled, you can unlock your locked notecards and notebooks using:

• Face ID (iPhone/iPad)
• Fingerprint authentication (Android)

If biometric authentication fails repeatedly, you'll be prompted to enter your Notebook passcode instead.

Note: Biometric authentication is a convenience feature and does not replace your Notebook passcode.

What Happens After Resetting the Passcode?

Resetting your Notebook passcode:

• Changes only the passcode used to unlock your locked notecards, and notebooks. 
• Does not delete your locked content. 
• Does not affect your Zoho account password. 

Your locked notecards and notebooks remain protected and can be accessed using your new Notebook passcode.

Things to Remember

• Locked content passcodes are different from your Zoho account password.
• Resetting your Zoho account password does not reset your Notebook passcode.
• Zoho Support cannot reveal your existing Notebook passcode.
• Keep your recovery email address accessible so you can reset your passcode if necessary.
• Regularly sync your notes to ensure your latest changes are safely stored in your Zoho account.

Troubleshooting

1. I forgot both my Notebook passcode and Zoho account password.

First recover access to your Zoho account by resetting your Zoho account password. Once you're able to sign in, use the Reset Passcode option to create a new Notebook passcode and regain access to your locked notecards and notebooks.

2. The recovery link says it has expired.

Recovery links remain valid for 30 minutes and can only be used once. Request a new recovery email and use the latest link.

3. I changed my Zoho account password. Why is my Locked Notebook still asking for the old passcode?

Your Notebook passcode is independent of your Zoho account password. Changing one does not change the other.

4. I reinstalled the app. Will my locked notebook or notecard be lost?

No. As long as your notes were synced with your Zoho account, simply sign in again and unlock your notebook using your Notebook or Notecard passcode.

5. I reset my Notebook passcode. Will my notes be deleted?

No. Resetting the passcode only changes how you unlock your locked notebook and notecards. Your locked notes remain intact.

6. My biometric unlock is no longer working.

This may happen if:

• Your device's biometric settings changed.
• New fingerprints or Face ID data were enrolled.
• Biometric authentication was disabled.

Simply unlock using your Notebook passcode and re-enable biometric authentication from Notebook settings if required.

Need Further Assistance?

If you're still unable to recover access to your locked notecard or notebook, contact the support team at support@zohonotebook.com. Our support team will help investigate the issue and guide you through the available recovery options.