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Shared grocery list without an account

One list the whole household edits from any phone — without making everyone sign up for yet another app. Add items by voice, see who bought what, and keep it private.

Quick answer: Anotea (Android) shares one grocery list across up to 3 phones and you link them by scanning a QR code — no email, no account. Anyone can add items (by voice or by typing), the list sorts itself by aisle, and everything is encrypted end to end.

Why "no account" actually matters

Most shared grocery apps — AnyList, Cozi, Out of Milk, Google Keep — need every member to create an account and log in before they can see the list. That's the exact friction that stops a partner or a roommate from ever using it. Anotea skips it: one phone shows a QR, the others scan it, and the list is shared. Nobody hands over an email address.

How to set it up

  1. Install Anotea (free) on both phones.
  2. On one phone, open Family and show the QR code.
  3. On the other phone, scan it. The phones are now linked — up to 3 in total.
  4. Add to the Shopping list from either phone. Changes show up on the others in seconds.
Voice trick: hold the mic and say "milk, a dozen eggs, bread and dish soap" — Anotea splits it into four items and files each under its aisle (dairy, dairy, bakery, cleaning). No typing, no pauses needed.

See who added and who bought each item

When the list is shared, each item shows who added it and, once it's checked off, who bought it. No more "did you already get the milk?" texts from the store — you can see it on the list.

It's private by design

Whatever you share is encrypted on the phone before it leaves, with a key only your linked devices hold. Anotea's servers pass the message along but can't read it. Notes you keep to yourself aren't synced to anyone — they stay on your phone.

Quick comparison

AppNo account?Add by voice?Encrypted?Price
AnyListNo (sign-up)No—Free + Complete
CoziNo (sign-up)No—Free (ads) + Gold
Google KeepNo (Google account)Partial—Free
AnoteaYes (QR)YesYesFree + Pro

⬇ Download Anotea free
Android · Up to 3 phones · No account required

Frequently asked questions

Which app lets you share a grocery list without an account?

Anotea — you link phones by scanning a QR code, no email or sign-up. AnyList, Cozi and Google Keep all require an account.

Do the others need to install anything?

They install the free app and scan your QR once. After that the list is shared across up to 3 phones, no account for anyone.

Is the shared list private?

Yes. It's encrypted on the phone before sending, with a key only your devices know. The servers can't read it.

Can I add items by voice?

Yes. Hold the mic or forward a voice note; the app splits the items and files each under its aisle.