How I use flomo to record observations and product ideas
I started using flomo in 2023. I didn’t write much at first, but during 2024 and 2025 I used it constantly, sometimes writing several entries a day. Looking back, it’s funny how many ideas I thought I had every day.
My usage is less frequent now—just a few notes a week, mostly on my phone. I jot things down as they come to mind, with no daily goals to hit.
To be clear, I have no partnership or affiliation with flomo, and I use the free version. This isn’t a product review; it’s simply a look at how I’ve used it over the past few years.
For me, flomo is just a place to capture things quickly. I write the thought down first, and decide later if it’s worth organizing.
What I write down
I don’t keep strict categories for my entries, but they generally fall into a few areas:
1. Daily observations and thoughts
When I notice something or a random thought pops into my head, I write it down.
For example, I was on a bus once when an older passenger couldn’t figure out how to scan the transit code. I wasn’t familiar with the setup steps in WeChat either, so I had to figure it out on the spot. When the card reader finally chimed, he turned around and said, “It worked!” Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief. I wrote a quick memo right after (punctuation adjusted):
High tech, low human touch—the older generation trapped by technology. (Translated from original Chinese note)
It made me think about how a transit code we take for granted can be difficult for someone who isn’t familiar with the steps.
Another time, while washing my hands and watching the warm water flow, it suddenly hit me: growing up with parents around, having no household debt, having food to eat, and having access to clean warm water is actually not easy at all.
Thoughts like these come out of nowhere. If I don’t write them down right away, I might forget them a little later.
2. Reading notes, product details, and feature ideas
Besides daily observations, I also jot down thoughts while reading or interesting details I notice in other products.
As for product features, if something is already concrete and needs to be done soon, I put it straight into Apple Reminders. If it requires drafting longer paragraphs, I use Apple Notes. Only when an idea is still fresh and unformed do I toss it into flomo.
For instance, on July 17, 2026, at 10:17, while Inks was already in development, I wrote a note about adjusting the product direction. I used Live Photos as an analogy, thinking that users should write normally, see their finished letter when opening it, and only tap a button if they actively want to replay the writing process. That note happened to capture my mind changing in real time.
Why I keep using it
I stick with flomo primarily because it opens straight to writing. I can type a line or two without worrying about titles, folders, or formatting. flomo explains this design choice in their Quick Input Guide.
When I want to share a note on social media, I use its card export feature, which saves me from reformatting text manually.
I also remember reading their Company Concept page, where they mention setting aside funds to cover server and basic maintenance costs for the next seven years if the product ever enters a maintenance-only state. I find that concrete explanation much more grounded than a vague promise of “lifetime availability.”
flomo is clear on its About Us page that it isn’t built for long documents, outlines, or to-do lists. If you care about cross-platform syncing or backups, you can check their Storage and Export Guide.
When it comes to keeping notes or daily journals, the best tool is simply the one that feels most comfortable. If a fleeting thought comes up and you don’t want to forget it, just drop it wherever you can write it down quickest.