This app was mentioned in 23 comments, with an average of 1.91 upvotes
It looks like he is--the free apps say they're "depreciated" and when someone on the paid app called him out for moving to the new model, the dev mentioned being able to download the suite of paid apps for free through the at-the-time promotion.
Also, the free versions are now incompatible with all of my devices out of the blue.
I don't think there's any app that let's you write without opening the app or an activity (AFAIK) and most of them open a transparent windows so you think you're on your homescreen. Anyway try this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplemobiletools.notes
It's just one "note" so you can't make multiple titles with content for each, but can write text and lists, very simple and minimal, launches fastly, with no sync or internet permissions and also open source (available on F-Droid).
Maybe something like this then: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplemobiletools.notes
It's free and open source the same as Simplenote but is local to your device. Then you can export them and Syncthing can take them.
If anyone is looking for a very minimal note taking app, I found one. Free, open source, on Fdroid, lightweight, auto backup to Google, and dark mode. Regular updates. The dev also has other minimal apps https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplemobiletools.notes
You haven't mentioned what features your looking for but -
All available through F-DROID if you prefer
Try this: Simple Notes
Simple Mobile Tools has a great variety of simple apps.
I use the simple Notes app, though it may not be as feature rich as you need. It's in the F-Droid app store as well as the Google Play Store.
https://simplemobiletools.github.io/
https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=com.simplemobiletools.notes
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplemobiletools.notes
Simple Notes Pro
F-Droid https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.simplemobiletools.notes.pro/
Play (Free)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplemobiletools.notes
Play (donation version $1.09)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplemobiletools.notes.pro
Simple Notes by Simple Tools. The style of apps are in the name, very simple and do the job perfectly.
Simple notes might be an app that's suits you. Not to mention it's open source and ad free.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplemobiletools.notes
Simple Notes
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplemobiletools.notes
From Simple Mobile Tools, no ads, open source
In that case, use Simple note. No need to login and no useless permission
You can look at Simple Notes, it's open source. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplemobiletools.notes
You said the simplest, here is a really simple and nice one, customizable widget too!