Apple Notes: Power User Tips & Hidden Features

Grab your FREE Apple Notes cheat sheet: peterakkies.ck.page/notes-che...
Apple Notes has become incredibly powerful on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can organize your notes, scan documents, search inside attachments, and much more. No need for an app like Evernote or Notion. Best of all, the app is free! So here are my favorite Apple Notes features and tips. Enjoy.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Use Folders
00:50 Use Hashtags
01:33 Folders vs. Tags
02:20 Use Smart Folders
03:34 Scan Documents
05:06 Search in Attachments
05:26 Show Small Images
05:44 Format Before Scanning Text
06:08 Share Notes
06:51 Share a Folder
07:09 Lock Notes
08:03 Pin Notes
08:29 Change View Options
09:09 Customize Notes Settings
09:45 Search Smartly
10:05 Use Checklists
10:33 Create Notes from Elsewhere
11:34 Print Notes from iPhone or iPad
12:03 Wrapping Up
COURSES & RESOURCES
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Free Cheat Sheets:
Things 3 - peterakkies.ck.page/things-ch...
Todoist - peterakkies.ck.page/todoist-c...
Apple Notes - peterakkies.ck.page/notes-che...
Apple Reminders - peterakkies.ck.page/reminders...
Weekly Reviews - peterakkies.net/freebies/week...
Free Mini-Courses:
Which Task Manager is Right for You? - whichtaskmanager.com
The Essentials of Big-Picture Productivity - peterakkies.net/freebies/bpp-...
Full-Length Courses:
Things 3 - peterakkies.net/courses/things-3
Todoist - peterakkies.net/courses/todoist
OmniFocus - peterakkies.net/courses/omnif...
Apple Notes - peterakkies.net/courses/apple...
Big-Picture Productivity (setting & achieving goals) - bigpictureproductivity.com
List of Tools, Apps, & Services I Recommend:
peterakkies.net/tools
CONNECT WITH ME
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[@PeterAkkies]

Grab your FREE Apple Notes cheat sheet: peterakkies.ck.page/notes-cheat-sheet

[@misaelmembreve1369]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@kawaii_hawaii222]

Hey how can I print from a pc when opening notes in icloud... somehow everything I tried isnt working :(

[@curtispazarjr4985]

Great review!!!!!

[@dr.chetandhandore7496]

😅

[@BitSmythe]

*This is one of the best videos ever. NO stolen videos, stupid sound effects, fake laughs, stupid loud “music” or a narrator who loves to hear his own voice. DIRECT, TO THE POINT. CONGRATULATIONS!!!*

[@ceciliateixeira1657]

Now I just need to learn how to transfer my Evernote notes (5 years) to Apple Notes. In fact, with this video, I learned that it has enough features to replace Evernote. Thank you!

[@PeterAkkies]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5a3dGCam7JsqbM

[@JanneWolterbeek]

Same with me, still subbed to Evernote, but would like to move that over as well!

[@RyanScottMiller]

I’ve used Evernote since 2008 and recently migrated to Apple Notes and haven’t looked back!

[@driven01]

I dropped Evernote a few years ago. Don’t miss it. I used to love to use it with the moleskins notebooks, but they dropped that feature long ago.

[@seekhimwithallyourheartand3358]

Repent to Jesus Christ “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[@FrankdTank-oh4ji]

For someone who's practicing minimalism: scanning is the most helpful! i used to pay yearly for an app but now I have this. so great!

[@Goralyna123]

I didn’t realise how flexible this app is. I’m definitely going to explore the options and rearrange my notes. Thanks, Peter.

[@imsooffended6860]

Good Lord this was the most well-paced informative video I’ve seen in a while. Not over produced either. Clean and straight to the point. New sub.

[@FlaschDJ]

We’ll-paced? To me, it felt like an avalanche.

[@imsooffended6860]

@@FlaschDJ well I was on adderall at the time soooo….

[@seekhimwithallyourheartand3358]

Repent to Jesus Christ “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ I

[@FlaschDJ]

@@seekhimwithallyourheartand3358 read “The Passover Plot”.

[@donturner3228]

Agreed, job well done Peter

[@TastyGuava]

The fact I had watched every iOS tips and tricks video, watched every beta update video, every feature wishlist video, and I still didn't realize that tags or smart folders were a thing. This is super useful, especially since I've been starting to use the default Notes app a lot more. Thanks! I guess I missed out on a lot of features as I haven't been paying too much attention to iOS videos and articles for a while now.

[@dfreeman120]

Brilliant thx for the info

[@bo7719]

I watch a lot tutorial videos and this is easily one of the best I’ve seen. Outstanding video Peter! Thank you.

[@piasanda1803]

I just bought an iPad Pro and started to use apple notes across my iPad iPhone and iMac. I’ve been using notes more and more and with your tips on folders, hashtags, scanning and printing, I just got an amazing productivity boost! I subscribed and will come back to your channel as I work your tips into my daily productivity routine. Thanks!

[@MargoBeatty]

I have been using apple notes for quite a while and the more Apple improves this app the less I rely on other note apps. I do wish my old iPhone 7+ would do the scan to text thing but it only works on newer phones, guess it’s time to finally upgrade! Thank you for a well organized and informative overview with the many wonderful features this app has to offer. I’m all in on apple and impressed by your knowledge and delivery. Thank you for your informative video!

[@seekhimwithallyourheartand3358]

Repent to Jesus Christ “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ O

[@christophersterns2450]

Hey Peter, another superlative video. This has become my go to app for notes. Ever since Apple improved the functionality this app makes more sense to use than any other third-party apps. I hope the new iOS this year Apple enhances this even more.

[@alteredstateskustom]

I've been using notes on my iPhone for years.... I don't use hardly any of these features! This is a game changer! Thank you!

[@jeenamas]

Honestly the ‘scan documents ‘feature is awesome. Been using it for a while now . Thank you for all the tips

[@artieshell9205]

Mind blown at #1 already!!! I’ve got 600+ notes in “notes”. Didn’t realize I could create folders !!

[@coachcarenfern]

😜😆😆😆😊🤣 me too

[@2020Tundra]

I mostly use Notes for scanning receipts, but I didn’t realize Notes has so many functions or uses. I appreciate the time it took for you to record this video. The only downside is that you went so fast through each tip, I kept backing up the video trying to see how you accomplished the previous tip. Otherwise, super cool information. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@chaskinsnc]

Michael, how do you output multiple receipts to 1 PDF? I would like to use Notes for receipts for Biz Travel.

[@2020Tundra]

@@chaskinsnc I only scan a single Receipt at a time with Notes. But I suppose you could place several receipts together and scan them as one item. Give it a try.

[@ric493]

I agree. The video runs much too fast. It's not very useful to the new "Notes" user like me.

[@hdwood76fxe]

@@ric493pause the video as you learn. Slowing down the video, making it slower and longer, would waste time for the rest of us.

[@colleencarter1977]

OMG! I've been an avid Apple Notes user for the longest, yet somehow I didn't know about 90% of these tips, especially the fact that you can create separate folders - I mean, talk about a game changer! Thank you SOOO much. I may have stumbled across your video while looking for screen mirroring app reviews, but either way, you've gained a new subscriber! 😃

[@bellatopiaaa8397]

Excellent, direct to the point video! I depend highly on my Note ap and your video just made things so much clearer! I especially am excited about seeing my Notes on Windows so I can organize them better on a larger screen. You rock,Peter, thank you! New subbie here 😊💐

[@francescromwell4159]

Quick, to the point, and packed with great information! I learned a lot and cleaned up my notes while watching. Thanks!

[@paultrewin5871]

I have had an iPad mini for 4 years and had no idea notes was even there, let alone so useful. Now I have just bought an iPhone, I can see some fantastic advantages. Thank you.

[@kahinoart]

I use Apple Notes extensively instead of any other apps. Some of the things you talked about were new to me, like indenting the checklists. Thanks for the demonstration.

[@mantolini]

Great stuff! Thanks. It would be very useful if notes had a way to retroactively sort and organise in the ways that you have described. I have over 10 years of unsorted notes history.

[@ChristianBjork]

Excellent video, thank you. Well produced and organized, and very informative.

[@bizz456]

I had no idea you could do so much with notes. Thanks for sharing this info with us! Awesome video!

[@nikooplayer]

Thanks Peter, we have actually copied our folder functions from Apple Notes in our own app (meCordi) and we have surprised how much design problems should be solved to just create that folder functionality. Still I didn't know about Hashtag feature. We adopted another method. Thanks. I've learned a lot of new things.

[@Thisonesforthekids]

This video was excellent. Can you please explain the need for notes and reminders, surely we don’t need both, which is superior? how do their differences justify the need for both?

[@guymauve0]

Notes replace Evernote for my workflow. Very happy with the switch. One thing miss me. The ability on doing more formatting

[@esausse]

Excellent production and a rare video really giving relevant tips. Thanks!

[@tiramisu2506]

I wonder what percentage of Apple’s capabilities I am actually using… All i can say is that I am grateful for videos like yours to keep upgrading my knowledge. Thank You 👍

[@AsimAbduljabbar]

This is by far the best apple note video tutorial I’ve ever seen! Well done!

[@melb00m21]

Great tips, thank you. One thing that would speed up the process shown at 8:45 is that you can simply swipe down the list with two fingers to select multiple items. That works with any default iOS list-view in other apps, too.

[@2011Cape]

Awesome! I see I can two-finger tap to select certain ones rather than a bunch all together too!

[@pjw3d87]

You can also add MP3 files as notes. It’s a great way to share audio files across your different Apple devices

[@demieworld]

How?

[@jlturn]

Awesome Notes tips. Convinced me to start using Notes again rather than paying to use Notions to track things that can easily be done in Notes. 👍🏾

[@ozelhassan8576]

Hi, I’ve been using apple notes from day one when it was introduced but watching your video only now I have been using it properly, thanks, you have made my life easier, when I receive a letter/bill I immediately scan it and store it in its own special folder, Thank You.

[@marsharussell8033]

Very helpful and well paced (well said "Im so offended"). I have used the apps Evernote, Todo, Notion, various Kanban inspired software including Trello, created my own Kanban hack using MS Word and Excel, and Post-IT. Seems like these all make me more OCD. It's the equivalent to labeling the label maker 🙂 This Notes tutorial has been very helpful.

[@AussieAdventurer]

Seriously 😳 I am only half way through the video and I am absolutely flabbergasted as to how many functions NOTES has 🤩. I use Notes, but totally had no idea of 90% of what you covered..so a HUGE THANK YOU 🙏🏼 for bringing this to mine and everyone’s attention. Awesome 👏😎🤩👍🙏🏼🤝✊👊 Now I watch the rest 😂😂👍 and naturally I have liked and subscribed 👍 Will definitely watch more of your videos, I always like to learn new things Apple related, only problem I have, as soon as I read or watched something..I forget it just as fast 🥴😂 Nevertheless roughly 10-20% stay’s somewhere up there 😅. More reason to keep watching 😂

[@mambi74]

I kept stopping the video to try out the tips and improve how I use the app... fantastic job putting this video together!

[@strumpor3611]

Great tips! I do like Apple Notes and will probably use it more often now for reminders and on-the-go notes. Thanks! For organization and longer (study-type) notes, though, I'll probably stay with Craft for the clean look and notes in the calendar feature. (I like to summarize my reading each day in the calendar.)

[@viktorvukasinovic]

One thing is missing for me is adding hashtags directly when sharing to notes. I always have to come back to the notes app for them to be considered as hashtags.

[@glootfrootswoot]

Worth mentioning (in case no one did already) adding hashtags to notes makes it unavailable on older versions of the Notes app, so if your Mac is still running Big Sur and doesn’t qualify to upgrade to Monterey you won’t be able to see notes with tags in them

[@richeyrich2203]

Is that to say that it will not show up within a smart note feature or that the note will no longer show up within the general library of notes at all?

[@UkeCan1]

@@richeyrich2203 Following for answer

[@glootfrootswoot]

@@richeyrich2203 the note used to disappear entirely from any version of Notes that didn't support tags. with enough complaining it got fixed so notes with tags show up again (confirmed on 11.6.6) but you don't get the organisational features on Big Sur, they just show up as plain text.

[@mradford10]

I’m a power user but learnt a few new things here myself. Thanks for the video!

[@-TomT]

This video was very helpful, saving me a lot of time getting acquainted with the Apple Notes app. With the question of device/canvas size vs portability, I arrived at the decision of an iPad Mini 6 (my first Apple device) to have close to hand for my journey towards digital note taking. As an Android phone and Windows user, I wanted to be able to access content from all platforms. iCloud access enables that whilst I begin to fully realise any benefits other apps (far too many of them for the novice to navigate!) may or not offer over and above Apple's bundled Notes app. Very glad I stumbled across this useful video. Thanks Peter A.

[@user-rg1lx8yt6g]

Apple apps are honestly great unfortunately some “popular” features are somewhat hidden within the app. But I truly love them not sure why so many hate them or simply don’t try them out I think it’s just an esthetic thing having a more modern look app and having to use it before possibly using notes or the new and improved notes.

[@peterlawson8563]

Peter, that’s a great video. I’d made the switch to Notes from other apps, but your video encapsulates all that I need to up my note use. A question : when you scanned the document and it auto generated a PDF, could you have opted to get straight text? I realise that it is searchable as you demonstrated, but it’d be nice to get the straight text. Thanks!

[@PeterAkkies]

You can use “scan text” instead of “scan document” to just get the text.

[@ssa5529]

in the past I used Evernote and OneNote but now I'm all in on apple notes. great video.

[@tracyvis2101]

I’ve been using Notes app for 10+ years. I love it! Many of these features I’ve been using but some of these I never understood, like how to use the hashtag feature. This is a game changer for me! Thanks for sharing this!!

[@johns.9764]

Hi Peter - Very informative video. However, it would be great if you were to use an on-screen pointer to indicate where the various function buttons you access can be found. Another useful reminder would be not to speak the entire “Hey Siri” phrase and turn on all of your viewers’ Siri assistants. Will checkout other helpful videos you post. Thanks.

[@TheCraftingKangaroo]

“Hey Siri” is by voice recognition. One person can say it and it not be recognized unless you have an extremely similar voice.

[@Vague_Koala]

@@TheCraftingKangaroo exactly, it’s the reason why my daughter is able to say “Hey Siri” and my phone thinks it’s me😂 and doesn’t do anything with anyone else.

[@Pseudify]

Not exactly an ADA compliant suggestion 😉

[@PeterAkkies]

What’s stopping you from switching to Apple Notes?

[@chaskinsnc]

I use One Note as we are are a Windows Shop but really want to use Notes. Is there a way to quickly capture receipts during my sales travels and then output all receipts for that month to a PDF? I only see that I can place one image to a page creating too many pages. I am trying to eliminate my paid apps.

[@PeterAkkies]

@@chaskinsnc Hey Chuck. No, I don’t think you could do that in one go. You’d either have to scan all the receipts at once, so Apple Notes would create one PDF of them, or export all the PDFs from Apple Notes and then combine the separate PDFs into one big PDF.

[@JonathanClayton1]

Craft is stopping me, I can’t decide between the two.

[@PeterAkkies]

@@JonathanClayton1 Craft is really pretty and I’m glad it exists. But I don’t like the block editing (Notion-style). Feels messy. Scanning documents isn’t as nice as it is in Apple Notes. And you can’t lock notes (as least as far as I know), which is a dealbreaker for me.

[@napostrophen]

I think I could use notes for jotting down quick things on the go, but all my organizing/management/productivity happens within Notion

[@deanschweiger721]

Absolute game changer!!!! Amazing video, captivating and well produced. Going to look at your other videos right now! Thank you.

[@5heinens]

Wow! This was complete! You are an excellent instructor. Can’t wait to try a few of these!

[@samanthawilson3239]

That was great, thank you. I’ve just switched from Android to iPhone and I’m in the process of moving Samsung Notes to Note. I learnt a lot from this.

[@bradparks3482]

This might be the most helpful and well presented Apple user video of all time. A+

[@pipp33]

Great vid, I use Apple Notes all the time but still found stuff in here I didn’t know. Inspiration to get deeper in to Notes!

[@nikhilck629]

I’ve come from using android for many years. I really like discovering cool little features in ios like this.

[@amitanivfx]

Very very useful features and extremely nicely explained with ease of understanding. Also the way you talk is fluent so everyone can comprehend. Knowledge is power and you’re doing good by sharing it.

[@Flutterbyby]

Ooh I started using notes to track my medical records when I realised there were folders - but didn’t know all these features. Can keep track of many things. Will make the most of these tips, thanks!

[@usapanda7303]

In my current tech refresh I went all Apple so this video is very helpful. I am amazed at how powerful Apple apps are. Great video. Sub earned!

[@flyshacker]

Wow! All great tips, and you are so fluent! That VERY LAST one - opening iCloud Notes on a PC - is HUGE! Something I need and was looking for, but I never discovered! Sweeeeet!!! Thank you!

[@Bandare]

Brilliant! Migrated to notes a good while ago but there's a lot I didn't know and learnt here. Thanks for this well put together notes help! New sub too!

[@joialdridge1156]

Thank you for this informative video!! I’ve been looking for someone to provide tips on Notes. I’m glad to see it does more than I thought it would. Again, thank you so much! 🙂

[@ErwinPfuhler]

Wonderful thanks for reminding me to dive deeper into notes and unlock more of the features!

[@Thwnwtenryb]

Thanks for teaching me how to lock my notes. You are a life saver 👍🏼

[@JDKaye]

Wow! I use Notes extensively, and I didn’t know it could do half of this! Thanks a lot. I can now delete a bunch of 3rd party apps I don’t need. Great video!!

[@funforeverone]

As a long time note lover, how am I just seeing this today, 2 years later? 😂😂😂 mind blown

[@artysanmobile]

This is my favorite Apple app. Has been for a LONG time. I consider it “quick Pages”. At this rate, it may someday replace Pages for me. I have 360 Notes currently. Thanks to the super efficiency of the app, it’s becoming my tech reference location.

[@sbrown4556]

Thank you for a) getting to the point quickly, b) aligning the content with the video title, and c) including fantastic tips. And you waited until AFTER doing so before asking for a like. That's an instant like. Well done.

[@troskeyj]

Literally one of the most useful videos on KZbin!! Some of these I already knew, but a lot of them I had no clue!! Thanks man!!

[@danuff]

I use it all the time - on my iPad, iPhone and Mac. But I didnt know these tips and tricks. Thanks for the video!

[@stephenschulte3996]

Really an excellent Apple Notes video!! (And I’m a MacOnly guy since 1989 and Apple Notes since 2008 - first on my iPod Touch! - which still works great by the way!). The hashtags was totally new to me and with many folders and 890 notes (going back to 2008) I will be utilizing hashtags now too! Checklist are great too- I will be re-watching this video as you have included so much here!! Thanks! Steve on 17 Oct 2022

[@klaymoon1]

Great video! Only thing I missed from Notion is the ability to create a page within a page.

[@Rctdcttecededtef]

Making use of the hashtags and text scanning is a pretty neat/handy feature

[@barkulyus]

Awesome video. I didn't like using Apple Notes but with this video changed it... I think Apple Notes is more than enough more most of the users and there's no need to use or pay for another notes app. Thank you for the tips... 😊

[@casey.danielle]

Apple notes absolutely never fails me , I’ve tried others but I will always return to apple

[@AgataNicole]

Omg, you blew my mind, I had no idea about most of those functions. Thank you very much!

[@briandunn6154]

Very helpful video! I did not realize how useful these features are and easy to incorporate. Thanks!

[@shelleymoore2705]

You share a lot of great information, however, I am new to iPhone and so I try to take notes. That way I can go back and practice. When you go so fast, it’s really hard to do that.

[@claudioforzano]

Never seen tips for mac/ipad/iphone of this high level on the net ! Sincere congratulations!

[@jmbosquesillo7203]

Great info, well presented. Straight to the point.

[@ralphbuurman4489]

What a helpful video! I had no idea what the possibilities are with notes. Thanks!

[@Peace444all]

I never subscribe to youtube videos but the fact that you taught me so much in 5 mins makes me want to hug you. Thanks for this!

[@jadenguyen8771]

many thanks for the tip with small pictures and lock notes with faceID. I didn't know you can lock notes with faceID. Love this video!

[@karma13612]

Outstanding and incredibly useful Vid. I love my Notes App along with the Reminders App on my iPhone and iPad. And with this video, I have now realized how much MORE I can do them them! THANK YOU❤️🙋‍♀️💙💛

[@arlenemurphy804]

I’m A senior and that was fabulous.. thank you.

[@babybee9098]

I love your smile and happiness with the notes… Thank you for sharing.

[@ChristianPizzirani]

Just awesome. Apple Notes seems to check all the boxes for a notes app for me, and this was super helpful. Thanks!

[@renferal5290]

That was very helpful. I just scanned my vaccine records for when I go to Italy in July. Glad I came across you. I use notes all the time, but there was so much I didn't know.

[@zongklodtonpanich]

To be honest, I didn’t expect much from this vid before watching. But I learn so much from this vid. Really great tips vid, man. 👏👏👏 I can’t believe you don’t have that many subscribers.

[@Robert8455]

Thanks Peter. Lots of stuff packed in the notes app. Had no idea.

[@agentdynamicsuccess]

Dude… this is an awesome video! I will be diving deep into organizing all of my random notes LoL. Thanks. I’ll definitely be sharing this video too. Well done👍👍😎

[@siddharthsonawala491]

Great video Peter! Very useful and explained nicely! Please advise more about the sos features, backup of only essential stuff and..Auto screen off any shortcut?!

[@PI1901]

Easily the highest quality, best explained video on this subject that I've seen. New sub!

[@user-rs6ef6ch1c]

I’m new to Notes and these tips are so usefull! They really help me to get started. Thank you!

[@stuartleckie]

I use notes a lot. Apparently I’m using them all wrong 😆 I’ll never remember all these tips, but I’ll certainly be trying to use some of them. Thanks for this.

[@whosonfirst1309]

Thank you for this well informed video on notes. Very well done. I’m going to save it in notes.

[@bySterling]

Fantastic tips! I’m trying to use Notes wayyy more often so great timing this vid sir

[@lfmtube]

Very good video and very useful for me. Using Notes for years and never used all these features. Thanks!

[@johncipolla8335]

id use this to organize my many doctor specialists . the scan feature looks amazing

[@corabiz08]

This video is a gamechanger. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@michaelfarmhand]

Wow! I'm impressed with this demo, never knew Notes could do all that. Just subscribed to the channel

[@TheSteveSteele]

Notes is my everyday go to. Scanning, Shared Folders, Smart folders, dictation and speaking, graphics, etc etc. One of the most useful apps that comes on the iPhone.

[@steve59541]

Your video has answered my questions. Thank you very much for sharing this method that works for all platforms.