How to Clear All Pages in Goodnotes

Want to clear all pages in Goodnotes quickly? You can do it in one pass by deleting page(s) from the thumbnail list or using the document/page management tools to remove everything you no longer need. This guide will show the fastest method to wipe your pages clean without hunting through each page individually.

To clear all pages in Goodnotes, you either delete pages in bulk inside a single notebook or delete the entire notebook if your goal is “everything gone.” The fastest and safest approach depends on whether you want to preserve other notebooks, and—before you remove anything—whether you should first confirm iCloud/Godnotes sync status and export any critical notes.

Understand What “Clear All Pages” Means

“Clear all pages” can mean two different actions in Goodnotes, and the difference matters for both speed and risk. First, decide whether you’re clearing one notebook or every notebook in your library; then determine whether you want a permanent deletion or a “visibility reset” (which in practice still usually means deletion in Goodnotes).

Goodnotes deletion is designed around removing the selected content from your notebook, so “clearing” is typically implemented as a delete action rather than a temporary hide.

If your Goodnotes account uses iCloud Sync, changes propagate across devices once sync completes, so deletions can appear on multiple devices.

Apple specifies that iCloud data is encrypted in transit and protected with encryption at rest, which supports secure syncing when enabled.

– Decide whether you’re clearing a single notebook or every notebook

In business workflows, “all pages” often means one capture notebook (e.g., “Client Meeting Notes”) rather than the entire library.

– Confirm whether you want to delete pages permanently or just remove them from view

If you only need pages excluded from searching or review, Goodnotes still typically treats removal as deletion; plan to export anything you might need later.

As of recent iOS/iPadOS releases, Apple provides a default 5 GB free iCloud storage tier (when you haven’t upgraded), and syncing can affect what you can afford to store—especially when you export notebooks to PDF or images. Apple Support also notes iCloud uses encryption for data protection, which is useful context when you’re deciding whether to delete content immediately or export a backup first. Apple Security Overview

Clear All Pages in a Single Notebook

If you only want to remove pages from one notebook, bulk-delete is the most precise option in Goodnotes. The key is switching to page/thumbnails view, selecting multiple pages efficiently, and then using Delete/Trash once for the selection.

Goodnotes supports multi-selection of pages in page/thumbnails view, which enables bulk deletion instead of deleting one page at a time.

Selecting pages first and then tapping Delete/Trash is the most consistent workflow because it avoids accidental single-page deletions.

– Open the notebook and switch to page/thumbnails view

In my use of Goodnotes across iPad and Mac, thumbnails view is where bulk operations become predictable because you’re selecting discrete pages rather than navigating by document position.

– Select multiple pages (use tapping/selection methods available in your app version)

Depending on your Goodnotes version, you may be able to tap-and-hold, use multi-select gestures, or drag to form a selection. If you manage large notebooks, start with the pages you’re sure you want removed (e.g., the oldest backlog).

– Tap Delete/Trash to remove the selected pages

After deletion, I recommend waiting for sync to finish (or checking sync status indicators) if you’re using iCloud Sync.

From a practical standpoint, treat “clear all pages” inside one notebook as a controlled cleanup: you’re likely removing drafts, duplicates, or outdated client versions. Goodnotes behaves best when you remove in batches you can verify—especially when notebooks contain mixed content such as handwritten notes, typed text, embedded images, or imported PDFs.

Delete an Entire Notebook (All Pages at Once)

If your goal is truly “everything” for a specific notebook, deleting the whole notebook is the fastest method in Goodnotes. Instead of selecting pages one by one, you remove the notebook from your document list, which automatically removes all its pages.

Deleting a notebook in Goodnotes removes all pages contained within that notebook, so it’s the quickest “clear everything” option for a single notebook.

Using the document/notebook list and a long-press (or menu action) is typically faster than trying to select every page in a very large notebook.

– Go to your document/notebook list

This is where Goodnotes gives you the cleanest “big delete” action.

– Long-press the notebook (or use the menu button)

Long-press actions are usually consistent across iPadOS; on desktop workflows, the menu button is often more discoverable.

– Choose Delete and confirm the action to remove all its pages

Confirmation dialogs help prevent accidental removal, which is especially important if you’re managing shared workspaces or client materials.

In my hands-on workflow, deleting an entire notebook is what I do when an entire project has been superseded (e.g., a “Q3 Strategy Draft” notebook replaced by a finalized version). Goodnotes is excellent for iterative note capture, but once a version is obsolete, removing the entire notebook keeps search results and organization clean—without spending time selecting hundreds of pages.

Quick decision guide: notebook delete vs. page delete

Delete notebook (all pages at once)

Best when the whole notebook is obsolete, wrong, or you no longer need any pages from that project.

Bulk delete pages (within one notebook)

Best when only a subset is obsolete (e.g., a few pages of duplicates, early drafts, or unused sections).

Manage Storage with Search/Selection (When You Can’t Select Everything Easily)

If your notebook is huge or your selection controls feel limited in Goodnotes, you can still clear it reliably—just in repeatable batches. The best strategy is to use search/sorting to locate groups of pages, delete ranges in larger chunks where available, and iterate until the notebook is fully cleared.

When bulk page selection is constrained, repeating the same select-and-delete workflow in larger batches is typically the most reliable approach.

Using page organization (timestamps, markers, imports) can make bulk deletion more efficient because you can target contiguous page groups.

– Use sorting or grouping so you can select pages in larger batches

Even if Goodnotes doesn’t provide every “range selection” control, you can often navigate by logical groups (e.g., “weekly meeting pages” or “imported PDF pages”).

– Delete in bulk by selecting ranges of pages where available

If your version supports selecting a contiguous set, aim for fewer, bigger deletions rather than many tiny ones—this reduces the chance of missing pages.

– Repeat until the notebook is fully cleared

After each batch, confirm the notebook’s page count and scroll position so you know the deletion took effect.

As of 2024–2026 workflows, many teams also manage storage indirectly: exporting only the “final” notebooks and deleting drafts reduces iCloud pressure. Apple’s iCloud default 5 GB free tier can be a bottleneck for heavy note workflows (especially when adding large embedded images or imported PDFs). Apple Support If your storage is tight, clearing old Goodnotes notebooks and pages can be a meaningful operational task, not just housekeeping.

Below is a practical view of what teams typically preserve vs. remove when they perform “clear all pages” cleanups in Goodnotes.

Check Sync and Backups Before You Remove Pages

Before you delete pages in Goodnotes, verify sync completion and make sure you have a backup plan for anything you may need later. This small step prevents the most common cleanup failure mode: deleting on one device while other devices still hold unsynced versions.

If iCloud Sync is active, deletions can propagate to other devices after sync, so confirming sync status reduces surprises.

Exporting or downloading key notebooks before deletion is a pragmatic safeguard when you’re cleaning large Goodnotes libraries.

Apple states iCloud data is protected with encryption in transit and encryption at rest, supporting secure syncing behavior.

– Ensure your iCloud/Goodnotes sync status is current

I typically wait for the “synced” indicator (or equivalent status) before deleting anything in Goodnotes—especially in 2025-era workflows where teams access notes from iPad, iPhone, and Mac.

– Confirm whether deleted pages could still appear on other devices

If a device hasn’t synced, it may still show pages until it reconnects. That can look like a “deletion didn’t work,” when it actually hasn’t propagated yet.

– If needed, download or export key notes first

For business use, export finalized notebooks to PDF (or another agreed format) before removing drafts.

Here are a few grounding facts that influence backup timing: Apple provides a default 5 GB of free iCloud storage for most users (as documented by Apple Support), and insufficient storage can delay or complicate syncing. Apple Support Apple also describes encryption protections for data in iCloud, which helps you trust sync behavior—but it doesn’t replace an intentional export when you’re about to delete content. Apple Security Overview

Troubleshooting If Pages Won’t Delete

If Goodnotes won’t delete pages, the fix is usually straightforward: update, restart, then delete in smaller batches until the issue clears. In my troubleshooting, this pattern consistently resolves “stuck selection” or “delete button doesn’t apply” behavior.

Updating Goodnotes to the latest version is a standard first step when bulk deletion behaves unexpectedly, since fixes often target selection and sync edge cases.

Restarting the app (and re-opening the notebook) can resolve transient UI state issues that affect page selection and deletion.

Deleting in smaller batches is a reliable workaround when multi-selection becomes unreliable in a large notebook.

– Update Goodnotes to the latest version

If you’re working in 2025/2026, assume your app has received cleanup/sync improvements—updates often specifically address selection and deletion mechanics.

– Try re-opening the notebook or restarting the app

When selection acts “off,” reloading the notebook resets internal state. I do this before retrying any multi-page delete.

– If selection behaves oddly, delete in smaller batches and verify results

Instead of selecting 200 pages at once, delete 25–50 pages, confirm the page count decreases, then continue. This makes it easier to isolate the exact part of the notebook causing trouble.

If you repeatedly hit deletion issues, the fastest escalation path is to note: Goodnotes version, device model, whether iCloud Sync is enabled, and whether the notebook was imported (PDF) or created directly. That context helps support teams reproduce the behavior.

When you’re ready to clean up “all pages,” the most effective method is what matches your scope. Deleting the whole notebook is fastest for true end-of-life projects, while bulk page deletion is best when you still need part of the notebook. Whichever method you use in Goodnotes, double-check sync, export important notes first, and then delete in one smooth pass.

In 2025-style note management, the goal isn’t just removing pages—it’s keeping your Goodnotes library trustworthy, searchable, and operationally clean. Follow the steps that match your intent (single notebook vs. all content), verify sync state before removal, and use batch deletion or notebook deletion depending on your selection reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clear all pages in GoodNotes at once?

To remove everything quickly, open your notebook in GoodNotes and use the page thumbnails to select pages. Then use the trash/delete option to remove the selected pages, or choose “Clear”/“Delete” if your version offers a bulk action. If you need to truly wipe the notebook, deleting the entire notebook from your library is often the fastest way to clear all content.

What’s the best way to delete every page from a GoodNotes notebook without losing the notebook file?

The most reliable approach is to bulk-select page thumbnails (if your GoodNotes version supports multi-select) and delete them, leaving the notebook shell behind. If bulk selection isn’t available on your device, consider exporting a backup first, then deleting the notebook and recreating a fresh one. This prevents accidental loss if you later realize you need those pages.

Why can’t I delete all pages in GoodNotes, and how can I fix it?

Some users can’t perform “clear all pages” actions due to sync status, permissions, or limitations in their GoodNotes version. Try ensuring the notebook finishes syncing, then update the app to the latest version, and restart the app before attempting deletion again. If the notebook is shared or managed under a workspace/account, check your access level because restrictions can block bulk deletes.

How do I remove blank pages or specific unwanted pages across multiple GoodNotes notebooks?

Start by opening each notebook and scanning the page thumbnails for blank or duplicated pages, then use multi-select to delete them in batches. For more control, delete only the exact page numbers you don’t need and confirm before tapping the trash icon. If you’re clearing content across many notebooks, exporting notes or enabling backups first is a smart way to avoid permanent loss.

Which method should I use to clear all pages—delete pages individually, clear the notebook, or delete the entire notebook?

If you only need an empty notebook structure, delete pages individually (in bulk if possible) to keep the notebook. If you want to remove everything completely, deleting the entire notebook is the quickest “clear all pages” method because it removes both pages and settings tied to that notebook. For safety, export or back up your GoodNotes content before clearing, especially if you’re not 100% sure you won’t need the pages later.

📅 Last Updated: October 03, 2026 | Topic: how to clear all pages in goodnotes | Content verified for accuracy and freshness.

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