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    2 min read 4 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Use the Notes App on iPhone

    iPhone's Notes app is perfect for grocery lists, reminders, and saving information — here's how to create notes, add checklists, and find them later.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Tips & Tricks
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    2 min read
    Steps
    4
    Topics covered
    notes
    iphone
    lists
    reminders
    organize
    grocery list

    In this guide (4 steps):

    1. 1.Create a new note
    2. 2.Make a checklist for shopping or tasks
    3. 3.Add a photo to a note
    4. 4.Find any note quickly
    1

    Create a new note

    ~27s
    Open the Notes app (yellow icon with white lines). Tap the compose button — a yellow square with a pencil — in the bottom right corner. A blank note opens with the keyboard ready. Type your note. The first line becomes the title. Tap "Done" when finished. Your note is saved automatically. You don't need to press a Save button.

    Quick Tip

    You can also quickly create a note by saying "Hey Siri, create a new note" or "Hey Siri, add milk to my grocery list."

    2

    Make a checklist for shopping or tasks

    ~22s
    To create a checklist inside a note, tap the checklist icon in the toolbar above the keyboard (it looks like a circle with a checkmark). Type the first item and press Return to add the next. When you're in a store or completing tasks, tap the circle next to each item to check it off — the item moves to the bottom with a strikethrough.
    3

    Add a photo to a note

    ~18s
    Inside any note, tap the camera icon in the toolbar above the keyboard. Tap "Photo Library" to insert a photo from your iPhone, or "Take Photo" to take a new one. This is useful for keeping a photo of your insurance card, a product manual, or a reference image alongside your typed notes.
    4

    Find any note quickly

    ~20s
    Swipe down while in the Notes app to reveal the search bar at the top. Type any word that appears in the note you're looking for. Notes searches the text of every note you've ever written and shows matching results instantly. You can also organize notes into folders: tap "New Folder" at the bottom left of the main Notes screen.

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    The Notes app on iPhone is one of the most useful built-in apps that many people overlook. It's perfect for grocery lists, important phone numbers, medication instructions, travel information, or anything else you want to quickly jot down and find later. Notes sync automatically to all your Apple devices through iCloud.

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    notes
    iphone
    lists
    reminders
    organize
    grocery list

    Official Resources

    How-To GeekAARP Technology TipsTom's Guide — Tips

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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