How to sync Notes for Mac

If you write a note on your Mac at home but want it available to you on your phone, your work computer, or on your tablet, you can make this happen by syncing your notes. Notes for OS X can sync through Apple's iCloud service and other services like Gmail and Microsoft Exchange. By syncing Notes with iCloud, you can access your information on the go, wherever you are.

How to turn on Notes sync for iCloud

  1. Launch System Preferences from your Mac dock.

  2. Click on iCloud.

    Launch system preferences and click on iCloud

  3. Enter your iCloud email address and password if prompted.

  4. Click the box next to Notes from the list of applications to sync.

    Enter iCloud login and select Notes from applications to sync.

By syncing your notes through iCloud on your Mac, you can access your notes on your other Apple devices.

How to sync your Notes with Gmail and Exchange

Notes also supports basic sync for a variety of other popular internet services including Google's Gmail and Microsoft's Exchange. You can enable this feature through the Notes application.

  1. Launch Notes from your Mac dock.

  2. Click Notes in the menu bar at the top of the screen.

    Launch Notes and click Notes.

  3. Select Accounts from the drop down menu.

  4. Select the Exchange or Google account you would like to sync.

    Select accounts and select an Exchange or Google account

  5. Type your username and password for that account when prompted.

  6. Select Notes from the application list to complete sync.

    Enter your login information and select Notes.

Repeat the same steps for every account you want to enable in Notes. A new folder will be created in your email account called Notes (it will appear in the same area as Inbox, drafts, etc.). This is where your synced notes will be located.

VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more

How to switch between accounts on Notes for Mac OS X

Notes allows you to save notes to your computer and other synchronized accounts like iCloud, Exchange, or Google. Sometimes you may want to create a note in a specific account. Fortunately, it's easy to switch between accounts inside of Notes for Mac.

  1. Launch Notes from your Mac dock.

  2. Select the account you would like to switch to from the application's leftmost column.

    Launch Notes and select an account.

Once you've clicked on a specific account, notes will only be created in that account. You can easily copy or drag notes between accounts if you would like to move them.

Back to the top