How to lock Notes on iPhone

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Configure Notes security settings

   Open Settings, scroll down, and tap Notes. Select Password, then choose either your iPhone Passcode or a dedicated custom password to use for your protected notes.

   Note: Using a custom password allows you to have a different security key from your device unlock code.
2. 30 sec

   Enable biometric authentication

   Within the same Notes security menu, toggle on Use Face ID. This allows you to unlock your notes instantly using facial recognition instead of typing your password every time.

3. 30 sec

   Lock an individual note

   Open the Notes app and navigate to the note you want to secure. Tap the More icon (three dots in a circle) located at the top right of the screen.

4. 30 sec

   Apply the lock

   Select Lock from the pop-up menu. If prompted, verify your identity using Face ID or by entering your chosen Notes password. A closed padlock icon will appear next to the note title.

   Note: A note is not fully locked until you tap the open padlock icon at the top of the note interface to close it.
5. 30 sec

   Confirm the locked state

   Tap the open padlock icon in the toolbar. Once the icon changes to a closed padlock, the note contents are hidden from view in the note list.

   Note: To unlock, simply tap the note and select View Note, then authenticate via Face ID or password.