How to fix a missing Notability PDF background
One Notability failure mode leaves handwriting, highlights, or annotations visible while the PDF underneath becomes blank. The note can still contain the annotation data while the original PDF file is missing from the exported .note package.
What you need
You need the affected note exported in Note (.note) format and the same original PDF that was imported into it.
What the repair does
A .note file is a ZIP-based package. The repair identifies the internal PDF filename Notability expects, places the original PDF back into the package under that filename, and rebuilds the .note file.
What NoteMend automates
NoteMend checks the package in your browser and only offers a repair when it finds exactly one missing PDF reference. It does not intentionally rewrite handwriting or annotations.
How the launch version was validated
The repair engine has been tested against current public Notability Gallery .note files by removing their referenced PDF, detecting the missing background, restoring the exact PDF bytes, and preserving the other package entries. A repaired current-format test note was also imported successfully into Notability on iPhone with the PDF background restored.
When NoteMend stops
If the PDF is already present, multiple PDF references are missing, or the metadata is unclear, NoteMend does not guess.
Always keep your original .note until the repaired copy has been imported and verified. NoteMend is independent and is not affiliated with Ginger Labs, Inc.