How to lock notes on iPhone, and what it protects
Open the note in the Notes app, tap the More button, then tap Lock; the note then opens only with your iPhone passcode, Face ID or Touch ID, or a separate Notes password if you set one.
How do I lock a note on iPhone?
- Open the Notes app and open the note.
- Tap the More button.
- Tap Lock.
The note now shows a lock, and opening it needs your passcode, Face ID or Touch ID, or your Notes password. To unlock it for good, tap More again and choose Remove.
Opening one locked note opens all the locked notes in that account for several minutes. To lock them again straight away, tap Lock Now at the top of the notes list.
Should I use my passcode or a separate password?
You choose once, in Settings > Apps > Notes > Password.
- Use Device Passcode: nothing new to remember, and Face ID or Touch ID works too. Apple notes this reduces the chance of losing access. It also means anyone who knows your iPhone passcode can open your locked notes.
- Use Custom Password: a separate secret just for notes, the same on all your devices signed in to your Apple Account. Apple says it can add security, and that if you forget it you may lose access to those notes.
If what you are hiding notes from is someone who knows your passcode, a custom password is the one that helps.
Which notes can’t be locked?
Apple lists the notes you cannot lock:
- Notes with video, audio, PDF or other file attachments.
- Notes with tags.
- Quick Notes.
- Notes shared in iCloud.
- Notes that sync with other accounts, such as Gmail or Yahoo.
- Notes that use features from a newer version of Notes.
Only notes stored on your iPhone or in iCloud can be locked.
What does a locked note still show?
The title. Apple says that when a note is locked, its title remains visible in the notes list. Name a sensitive note something that gives nothing away.
What if I forget my Notes password?
If you use a custom password and forget it, and Face ID or Touch ID cannot open the notes, Apple says it cannot help you get them back.
You can reset the password in Settings > Apps > Notes > Password > Reset Password, but that only applies to notes you lock afterwards. Notes locked with the old password stay locked with it.
Are locked notes encrypted in iCloud?
Notes in iCloud are encrypted either way. With standard iCloud protection, Apple’s security overview says Notes are encrypted in transit and on the server with keys Apple holds. With Advanced Data Protection turned on, Notes are end-to-end encrypted and only your trusted devices hold the keys. See Advanced Data Protection vs a photo vault for what that covers.
When are locked notes not enough?
Locked notes are good for a passcode-protected list or a private journal entry. They have limits worth knowing: the title shows, many notes cannot be locked, and with your device passcode as the lock, anyone with your passcode gets in.
For files and photos you want behind a secret that is not your passcode, a vault app is the next step. Oorvel, for example, keeps files encrypted on the phone under six words, with no account and no cloud. Whichever you use, a separate secret only helps if you never reuse your passcode for it.
Frequently asked
- Can I lock notes with Face ID?
- Yes. Whether you use your device passcode or a custom password for locked notes, you can turn on Face ID or Touch ID as well. Apple advises not relying on it alone.
- What happens if I forget my Notes password?
- If you use a custom password and forget it, and Face ID or Touch ID cannot open the notes, Apple says it cannot help you regain access. Resetting the password only applies to notes you lock afterwards.
- Can someone see the title of a locked note?
- Yes. Apple says that when a note is locked, its title remains visible in the notes list.
- Why can't I lock a note?
- Apple lists notes it cannot lock, including notes with video, audio, PDF or file attachments, notes with tags, Quick Notes, notes shared in iCloud, and notes that sync with other accounts such as Gmail.