How to Create and manage notes

Start from Lock screen

Add the Notes item in Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls, and check in Settings > Touch ID & Passcode that Control Center is available when locked. Note: a long or firm press of the button offers extra options.

Start with Apple Pencil

Starting or continuing a note from the Lock screen is even easier on iPad if you have an Apple Pencil. Simply tap its nib on the Lock screen. You don’t even have to unlock using your passcode or fingerprint first.

Decide where to start

Do this in Settings > Notes > Access Notes from Lock Screen. You may want a new note every time, or to resume either the last note created from the Lock screen, or viewed in–app. The last two offer timed behaviors.

Auto–style first lines

Do you like to start notes with a headline, or prefer to get down to details? In Settings > Notes > New Notes Start With, you can opt for the first line to be formatted in the app’s Title, Headline, or Body text style.

Select your stationery

Notes can have a background, like their paper equivalents. Set the default for all notes in Settings > Notes > Lines & Grids. When editing a note, override by tapping the Lines & Grids item in the Share sheet’s bottom row.

Set the sorting of notes

When your device is unlocked and you’re using the full Notes app, you’ll need to be able to find notes created on the Lock screen. Settings > Notes > Sort Notes By helps with this, particularly the Date Edited setting.

Pin notes to the top

Pin important notes in place. They appear at the top of the folder they are in and (as an automatic consequence) the top of the complete list. Swipe right on a note on iOS or Ctrl–click on macOS for this command.

Search within one note

Notes’ search bar can search all notes, but not solely the current one. If you’re writing into the same note over and over, unlock your device, open that note, open the Share sheet, and tap ‘Find in Note’ in the bottom row.