Signal

I think Matrix is the way to go because you can host your own server and be completely self hosting without a 3rd party involved.

Telegram as a note taking app?..... Now that's one I haven't heard before

Just a heads up about people’s suggestions on signal. If you don’t open your desktop client often and it needs to be logged back in it will not sync your latest notes to self messages (perhaps other messages too).

Signal?

edit / wait - an alternative for telegram as a note taking app??

I was a Signal defender (although I still use it because it's better than Telegram or WhatsApp) but now I'm more pushing for DeltaChat, Matrix and XMPP.

Signal.

Unfortunately the Signal recommended by many people may not work for you, it cannot work on multiple mobile devices at the same time, for example on a smartphone and tablet.

I don't understand why no one recommends Jami? It's the only messenger that works without a server at all. And yes, it has the ability to forward messages to itself (to use as a note) and works on any devices at the same time.

signal is the simplest alternative, it's actually better than telegram since it doesn't save data

Has a strong smell of: https://xkcd.com/1172/

Well signal also has the note to self.

People will hate this, but WhatsApp is probably the second best and convenient to most people. (But if your friends are willing to get signal, do it.) In fact it was always better than telegram, there I said it.

Also there's many great note taking apps that have a sync feature. Joplin for one.

I just have some syncthing shared folders with friends/family. It may be a little weird to set up, but once there, it's seamless.

I use Joplin for notes.

Honestly? For that limited use, there's really no need to switch.

However, if you're willing to do a little extra effort, Join, by joao apps can do what you're wanting. The notes is easy as pie. Sending files to your own devices is easy. Then you just need a different file sharing method for others.

It's not a 1:1 replacement, obviously, but sending files via email, or other methods, when it's only occasional isn't something that needs to be part of a messenger service that you aren't primarily using for messages in the first place. Keeping all your eggs in one basket isn't always as good.

@TheDorkfromYork

YMMV, but my minimum requirements were:

1. Federated just like lemmy or mastodon or email, so I can choose a server or even selfhost.

2. First class clients for Linux available, not only Android/iOS, no Electron bloatware.

3. No phone number involved.

That rules out Signal, Whatsapp and some more. Matrix fits. However I prefer #Jabber a.k.a. #XMPP. Matter of taste, I guess 🤷

PS: "Note to yourself", incl. file upload, is supported by all servers and most clients, AFAIK.