---
title: "Getting Started with Goodnotes Teams: Your 15-Minute Setup Guide"
description: How to get onboard to Goodnotes Teams in 15 mins or less
---
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1. [Goodnotes Business Support Site](https://go.goodnotes.com/support?hsLang=en)
2. [Set up & Manage your Goodnotes Organization](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/set-up-manage-your-goodnotes-organization?hsLang=en)
3. [Onboarding your Goodnotes Organization](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/set-up-manage-your-goodnotes-organization?hsLang=en#onboarding-your-goodnotes-organization)
# Getting Started with Goodnotes Teams: Your 15-Minute Setup Guide
Whether you're setting up Goodnotes for your team for the first time, or transitioning from a legacy License Key deployment, this guide takes you from zero to a fully configured workspace — no Account Manager or support ticket required.
| Section | Who it's for | Est. time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [**Part 1 — Admin Setup**](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/getting-started-with-goodnotes-teams-your-15-minute-setup-guide#part1) | Admin / IT / Purchasing manager | ~5 min |
| [**Part 2 — End User Setup**](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/getting-started-with-goodnotes-teams-your-15-minute-setup-guide#part2) | Every Goodnotes user on your team | ~2 min |
| [**Part 3 — Get Productive**](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/getting-started-with-goodnotes-teams-your-15-minute-setup-guide#part3) | Everyone | ~3 min |
**Before you start:** You'll need an Apple ID, Google account, or Microsoft account to sign in to Goodnotes.
---
## Choose Your Path
### 🆕 New Customer
You're signing in to Goodnotes Teams for the first time and are beginning your 30 day free trial.
**→ Go to [Part 1](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/getting-started-with-goodnotes-teams-your-15-minute-setup-guide#part1), [Step 1](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/getting-started-with-goodnotes-teams-your-15-minute-setup-guide#step1)**
### 🔄 Migrating from a License Key
You previously deployed Goodnotes with a License Key via MDM.
**→ Complete the [Migration steps below](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/getting-started-with-goodnotes-teams-your-15-minute-setup-guide#migration) before continuing to [Step 1](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/getting-started-with-goodnotes-teams-your-15-minute-setup-guide#step1)**
---
## Part 1: Admin Setup ⏱ ~5 minutes
This section is for the person managing your organization's Goodnotes subscription. If you're an end user, [skip to Part 2](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/getting-started-with-goodnotes-teams-your-15-minute-setup-guide#part2).
### 🔄 If You're Migrating from a License Key — Start Here
**License Key users only.** If you're a new customer with no previous Goodnotes deployment, skip to [Step 1](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/getting-started-with-goodnotes-teams-your-15-minute-setup-guide#step1).
Goodnotes has moved from device-based License Key deployments to an account-based Admin Console. Before you start, here's what to know:
- **Your data is safe.** All notebooks, documents, and annotations from Goodnotes 5 are preserved automatically when users update to Goodnotes 6.
- **No MDM needed.** The Admin Console is account-based — you no longer need to push configurations through MDM to activate licences.
- **Users must be on Goodnotes 6 or later** to accept an organization invitation. Ask your team to update the app via the App Store before proceeding.
- **To check the version:** Open Goodnotes → ⚙️ Settings → About. If it shows version 5.x, an App Store update is required first.
For full migration steps, see our [License Key migration guide](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/transitioning-from-a-license-key-to-the-goodnotes-admin-console?hsLang=en).
### 🆕 If You're a New Customer — Start Here
### Step 1: Access the Admin Console ~2 min
1. Navigate to [**org-admin.goodnotes.com**](https://org-admin.goodnotes.com).
2. Click **Sign In** and choose your login method — **Apple**, **Google**, or **Microsoft**.
3. Enter your **company name** to begin your 30-day free trial.
💡 **Tip:** Use the same login account that was associated with your subscription purchase. Make a note of the provider (Apple / Google / Microsoft) — you'll use it every time you access the Admin Console.
### Step 2: Configure Your Organization ~2 min
1. Inside the Admin Console, go to **Settings → Organization Details** to review and update your organization's information — your company name and details were captured when you started your free trial.
2. **Verify your domain** (recommended). Domain verification lets Goodnotes automatically recognise users from your organization without requiring individual invitations. Click **Verify Domain** and follow the DNS instructions provided. See our domain verification guide for help.
3. Check your **seat count** under the **People** section. You can add or remove seats at any time; additional seats are pro-rated to your existing billing period.
⚠️ **SSO / Identity Provisioning:** If your organization requires Single Sign-On, this must be configured **after** your initial sign-in to the Admin Console. Once you have completed your first login, navigate to **Authentication & Identity → Configure SAML SSO** to complete setup.
### Step 3: Invite Your Team ~1 min
1. In the Admin Console, go to **Members → Invite Members**.
2. Enter your team members' email addresses — one per line, or as a comma-separated list.
3. Click **Send Invitations**. Each person will receive an email with a join link.
**Domain verified?** Users with a matching email domain are recognised automatically when they sign in — no individual invitation needed.
---
## Part 2: End User Setup ⏱ ~2 minutes
Share this section with every team member who will be using Goodnotes.
### Step 4: Download Goodnotes ~1 min
| Platform | Where to download |
| --- | --- |
| **iPad / iPhone** (primary) | Open the **App Store** → search *Goodnotes* → tap **Get**. The app is free to download; your subscription activates when you sign in. |
| **Mac** | Open the **Mac App Store** → search *Goodnotes* → click **Get**. |
| **Windows** | Open the **Microsoft Store** → search *Goodnotes* → click **Get**. |
| **Android** | Open **Google Play** → search *Goodnotes* → tap **Install**. |
### Step 5: Sign In and Activate ~1 min
There are two ways to join your organization, depending on how your admin set things up:
**Option A — You received an invitation link:** Click the link in your invitation email. This will open the Goodnotes app automatically and activate your seat — no further steps required.
**Option B — You're opening the app directly:** Open Goodnotes and tap **Sign In**. When prompted, use the **Identity Provisioning** method that was configured during your organization's domain setup (for example, signing in via Google or Microsoft SSO). This ensures Goodnotes recognises you as part of your organization.
Not sure which sign-in method your organization uses? Check with your admin or see our Identity Provisioning guide.
⚠️ **Important:** You must sign in with the exact same account that received the organization invitation. Using a different account or login method will result in your subscription not being recognised.
---
## Part 3: Get Productive ⏱ ~5 minutes
### Step 6: Import Your Existing Documents ~1 min
You can import and annotate a wide range of file types in Goodnotes:
- **PDF** — annotate, highlight, and write directly on any PDF
- **PowerPoint (.pptx)** — open presentations and write on slides
- **Word (.docx)** and **images** (JPEG, PNG, GIF)
**To import:** From the Library, tap **+** → **Import** → select your file from Files, iCloud Drive, or a connected cloud service.
💡 **If Migrating your Library** — please ensure you backup your data prior to setup and import into your library once you have joined your organization.
### Step 7: Create Your First Notebook ~2 min
1. From the **Library** (home screen), tap **+**.
2. Select **Notebook**.
3. Choose a **cover** and a **paper template**. Options include lined, dotted, blank, and pre-built structured templates for meeting notes, planners, to-do lists, and more.
4. Name your notebook and tap **Create**.
---
## ✅ Setup Complete!
You've covered everything needed to get your team up and running.
✔ Admin Console configured and team invited
✔ Goodnotes installed and subscription activated on all devices
✔ First notebook created and ready to go
---
## 🔗 Quick Reference
| Resource | Link |
| --- | --- |
| Admin Console | [org-admin.goodnotes.com](https://org-admin.goodnotes.com) |
| Help Centre | [Visit our Help Centre](https://go.goodnotes.com/support?hsLang=en) |
| Subscription & Billing | [Subscription & Billing](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/set-up-manage-your-goodnotes-organization?hsLang=en#subscription-billing) |
| License Key migration guide | [Migration guide](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/transitioning-from-a-license-key-to-the-goodnotes-admin-console?hsLang=en) |
| Authentication & Identity | [Authentication & Identity guide](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/set-up-manage-your-goodnotes-organization?hsLang=en#authentication-identity) |
| Managing Users | [Managing your Organization](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/set-up-manage-your-goodnotes-organization?hsLang=en#managing-your-organization) |
**Still need help?** Browse our [Help Center](https://go.goodnotes.com/support?hsLang=en) or [get in touch with our Customer Support team](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/support-faqs?hsLang=en).
- [Set up & Manage your Goodnotes Organization](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/set-up-manage-your-goodnotes-organization?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Onboarding your Goodnotes Organization](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/set-up-manage-your-goodnotes-organization?hsLang=en#onboarding-your-goodnotes-organization)
- [Authentication & Identity](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/set-up-manage-your-goodnotes-organization?hsLang=en#authentication-identity)
- [Managing your Organization](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/set-up-manage-your-goodnotes-organization?hsLang=en#managing-your-organization)
- [Subscription & Billing](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/set-up-manage-your-goodnotes-organization?hsLang=en#subscription-billing)
- [Joining an Organization](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/set-up-manage-your-goodnotes-organization?hsLang=en#joining-an-organization)
- [Support & FAQs](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/support-faqs?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Get Support](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/support-faqs?hsLang=en#get-support)
- [Goodnotes Features](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/support-faqs?hsLang=en#goodnotes-features)
- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/support-faqs?hsLang=en#frequently-asked-questions)
- [Troubleshooting](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/support-faqs?hsLang=en#troubleshooting)
- [License Keys](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/license-keys?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Installation and Management](https://go.goodnotes.com/support/license-keys?hsLang=en#installation-and-management)
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