How to create Notes on iPhone or iPad

When you need to quickly jot something down on your phone, the Notes app is the best app for the job since it's already built into the best iPhone or best iPad already. With Notes, you can write down thoughts, draft out memos, or store any other bit of text or even images and sketches for however long you want. And if you use iCloud, everything is synced in the background and accessible on all of your Apple devices (as long as you're logged in to that same account). Here's how to create notes on iPhone and iPad, as well as how to edit, move, delete, and recover your Notes.

How to create a new note on iPhone or iPad

1. Launch the Notes app from the Home Screen of your iPhone or iPad.

2. Tap the Create new note button at the bottom right.

   Source: iMore

3. Tap anywhere inside the note to bring up the keyboard and start writing.

4. Tap the Done button in the top right to save your note and exit the editing mode.

   Source: iMore

5. Tap the New note button from within an existing note to start another one quickly.

How to edit an existing note on iPhone or iPad

1. Launch the Notes app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap on the note you want to edit.
3. Tap anywhere inside the note to bring up the keyboard and start updating or appending.

4. Tap Done to save your changes.

   Source: iMore

How to move a note to a new folder on iPhone or iPad

If you've created a note but later realize you want it in a different folder, you can move it.

1. Launch the Notes app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on the folder that the note you want to move is currently in.

3. Tap ... in the upper right of the list of notes, near the folder's name.

   Source: iMore

4. Select the Select Notes option in the menu.
5. Select the notes that you want to move.
6. Tap Move To... in the bottom left.

7. Select a folder to move the note to. You can also tap New Folder to create a new folder.

   Source: iMore

How to delete a note on iPhone or iPad

1. Launch the Notes app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.
2. Open the note you want to delete.

3. Tap on the More button in the upper right corner.

   Source: iMore

4. Tap Delete.

5. To delete a note faster, swipe to the left on the note in the list, then tap Delete.

   Source: iMore

This sends the note to a "Recently Deleted" folder for 30 days, after which time the note is permanently deleted.

How to recover a recently deleted note

1. Launch Notes on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Tap the Folder button to return to the main Folder list.

   Source: iMore

3. Select the Recently Deleted folder under the account that you originally deleted a note from.
4. Swipe left on a recently deleted note that you want to recover.

5. Tap the Folder button to move it back to a folder.

   Source: iMore

6. You can also tap the Delete button to permanently delete it.

If you have deleted a locked note, then it will remain in the Recently Deleted folder well beyond the 30-day limit.

Questions about how to create Notes on iPhone?

When it comes down to creating notes on iPhone and iPad, the Notes app is very simple and straightforward. If you have any questions or need help with the Notes app, make sure to drop us a comment, and we'll do our best to help you out.

January 2021: Updated for iOS 14.