The iPhone Notes app includes a built-in lock feature that lets you protect individual notes with a password, Face ID, or Touch ID. Whether you store bank account details, private journal entries, work credentials, or personal messages you want to keep private, locking a note hides its contents from anyone who picks up your phone — even if the screen is unlocked. This guide walks through the complete setup process: creating your password for the first time, enabling biometric authentication, locking individual notes, viewing and re-locking them, and recovering access if you forget the password. It also covers the differences between iCloud notes and device-only notes, what happens to locked notes when you share your phone with family members, and how the lock behavior changed with iOS 16.
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Notes Lock Feature
- Setting Up a Password for the First Time
- Enabling Face ID and Touch ID for Notes
- Locking Individual Notes
- Unlocking and Re-Locking Notes
- What to Do When You Forget Your Password
- iCloud Notes vs. On-Device Notes, Sharing, and Family Considerations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
Overview of the Notes Lock Feature
What the Lock Feature Can Do
The Notes app lock feature lets you:
- Lock any individual note so that its contents are hidden from the note list
- Require Face ID, Touch ID, or a password before the note can be opened
- Use Apple's device passcode (the PIN you use to unlock your phone screen) as the unlock method, starting with iOS 16
- Protect notes stored in iCloud so they remain locked on all your devices
Limitations of the Lock Feature
It is worth understanding what the feature cannot do before relying on it:
- There is no option to lock an entire folder or all notes at once. Every note must be locked individually.
- Locked notes are included in iCloud backups and device backups, but the content is encrypted and cannot be read without the correct password.
- Face ID and Touch ID use the biometric data already registered on the iPhone. If a family member's face or fingerprint is saved on the device, they can unlock your locked notes as easily as you can.
Differences by iOS Version
The lock feature works differently depending on which version of iOS you are running:
- iOS 15 and earlier: All notes share a single password. You set one password in Settings, and that password locks and unlocks every note you choose to protect.
- iOS 16 and later: Each note can use a different unlock method. You can mix notes locked with a custom Notes password and notes locked with the iPhone passcode. The iOS 16 update also added the option to use your existing iPhone passcode as the Notes lock, so you do not need to manage a separate password.
Setting Up a Password for the First Time
Before you can lock any note, you need to configure how locked notes will be protected. This is done once from the Settings app.
Setting a Password from the Settings App
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Notes.
- Tap Password.
- If you have iCloud sync enabled, choose whether to set the password for iCloud notes, on-device notes, or both.
- Tap Create Password.
- Enter a password. At least six characters is recommended.
- Re-enter the same password to confirm it.
- Enter a hint — a phrase or clue you will recognize if you forget the password.
- Tap Done.
Using Your iPhone Passcode Instead (iOS 16 and Later)
Starting with iOS 16, you can use the same passcode you enter to unlock your iPhone screen as the password for locked notes. This removes the need to remember a separate Notes password.
Setup steps:
- Go to Settings, then Notes, then Password.
- Tap Use iPhone Passcode.
- Enter your current iPhone passcode to confirm.
- Tap Use iPhone Passcode again on the confirmation screen.
Advantage: You will not forget this password because it is the same one you use every day to unlock your phone. Face ID and Touch ID work automatically with this option.
Disadvantage: Anyone who knows your iPhone passcode can also unlock your locked notes. If you share your passcode with a family member or have it written somewhere, consider using a separate custom password instead.
Enabling Face ID and Touch ID for Notes
Once a password is set up, you can enable Face ID or Touch ID so that you do not have to type the password each time you open a locked note. Biometric authentication is faster and more convenient for notes you open frequently.
Setting Up Face ID (iPhone X and Later)
- Go to Settings, then Notes, then Password.
- Toggle Use Face ID to the on position.
- Authenticate with your iPhone passcode or your Notes password when prompted.
Face ID will now work as an alternative to typing the password whenever you open a locked note.
Setting Up Touch ID (iPhone 8 and Earlier, iPhone SE)
- Go to Settings, then Notes, then Password.
- Toggle Use Touch ID to the on position.
- Authenticate with your iPhone passcode or your Notes password when prompted.
Touch ID will now unlock locked notes when you press your registered finger to the Home button.
Important Notes on Biometric Authentication
- Every fingerprint or face registered on the iPhone can unlock locked notes. If a partner, parent, or child has their biometrics saved on your device, they will be able to open your locked notes without knowing the password.
- After five consecutive failed biometric attempts, the iPhone requires the password instead. This is a security measure, not a malfunction.
- Restarting the iPhone clears the biometric session. The first unlock after a restart always requires the password, not Face ID or Touch ID.
Locking Individual Notes
After the password is configured, you can lock any note in the app.
How to Lock a Note
Method 1: From inside the note
- Open the note you want to lock.
- Tap the ... (More) button in the upper right corner.
- Tap Lock.
- Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your password.
- Tap OK. The note is now locked.
Method 2: From the note list
- In the note list, swipe left on the note you want to lock.
- Tap the Lock button (the padlock icon that appears).
What a Locked Note Looks Like
Once a note is locked, the list view replaces the preview text and thumbnail with the message "This note is locked." Tapping the note prompts you for Face ID, Touch ID, or a password before any content is shown.
Locking Multiple Notes
There is no built-in option to lock all notes at once — each note must be locked individually. However, organizing your sensitive notes into a dedicated folder makes management easier. Create a folder named something like "Private," move your sensitive notes into it, and lock each one. This way all your protected notes are in one place, and they are harder to discover by casual browsing.
Unlocking and Re-Locking Notes
Opening a Locked Note
- In the note list, tap the locked note.
- Tap View Note.
- Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your password.
- The note content appears.
After you finish reading or editing, the note locks itself again once you close the Notes app or after a period of inactivity. You do not need to manually re-lock individual notes during normal use.
Locking All Notes Manually
If you want to immediately re-lock all open notes without closing the app:
- Tap the Lock icon (a padlock) at the top of the note list.
- Alternatively, go to Settings, then Notes, then Password, and tap Lock All Notes Now.
This is useful if you have been reviewing several locked notes and want to secure them quickly before setting your phone down.
Permanently Removing the Lock from a Note
If you no longer need a note to be locked, you can remove the lock entirely so it becomes a regular unprotected note.
- Open the locked note and authenticate.
- Tap the ... (More) button.
- Tap Remove Lock.
- The lock is removed and the note returns to normal.
What to Do When You Forget Your Password
Resetting Your Notes Password
If you forget the custom Notes password, you can reset it. However, resetting the password makes all previously locked notes permanently inaccessible — the old password is gone and there is no recovery path for content locked under it.
- Go to Settings, then Notes, then Password.
- Tap Reset Password.
- Enter your Apple ID password to confirm your identity.
- Tap Reset Password again on the confirmation dialog.
- Set a new password.
What happens to previously locked notes:
- Notes locked under the old password will remain in the list but cannot be opened. The lock icon still appears on them, but no password — including the new one — will open them.
- You can delete these notes, but you cannot recover their content.
- Notes locked after the reset will use the new password.
Deleting Notes You Can No Longer Open
After a password reset, locked notes that you can no longer access will still appear in your note list. To remove them:
- In the note list, swipe left on the locked note you want to remove.
- Tap Delete.
The note moves to the Recently Deleted folder, where it will be automatically purged after 30 days. If you want to remove it immediately, open Recently Deleted and delete it there permanently.
Using the Password Hint
When setting a password, you were prompted to enter a hint. That hint appears below the password field whenever you try to open a locked note. If you are struggling to remember the password, look at the hint — it may be enough to jog your memory without requiring a full reset.
If You Set Up Using Your iPhone Passcode
If you chose the "Use iPhone Passcode" option when setting up Notes lock, then you need your iPhone passcode — not a separate Notes password — to unlock your notes. If you have forgotten your iPhone passcode, you will need to reset the iPhone passcode first. For instructions on that process, see How to Reset a Forgotten iPhone Passcode.
iCloud Notes vs. On-Device Notes, Sharing, and Family Considerations
iCloud Notes vs. On-Device Notes
iPhone Notes saves notes in one of two places, and the difference matters when you switch devices or share an Apple ID.
iCloud Notes (recommended):
- Notes are stored in your iCloud account and sync automatically to any device signed in with the same Apple ID — your iPhone, iPad, and Mac all stay in sync.
- Locked notes sync across devices. You can open a note locked on your iPhone from your Mac's Notes app by authenticating with the same password.
- If you lose your phone, your notes are not lost as long as you have access to iCloud.
On-Device Notes:
- Notes are stored in the iPhone's local storage only.
- iCloud backup can include these notes, but they do not sync in real time to other Apple devices.
- You can set a separate password for on-device notes, independent of the iCloud notes password.
How Locking Affects Note Sharing
Locked notes cannot be shared or used in a collaboration session. If you try to lock a note that is already shared with other people, Notes will not allow it. To lock a shared note, remove the other collaborators first, then lock the note.
Conversely, if a note is locked, the Share option is unavailable until you unlock the note. To invite someone to collaborate, unlock the note first, share it, and only re-lock it after removing the collaborator once you are done sharing.
Family Sharing Considerations
Apple Family Sharing does not merge Notes between family members. Each person's Notes account is separate. However, a few edge cases are worth understanding:
When multiple people share one iPhone:
If everyone in your household signs in with the same Apple ID on a single iPhone, all iCloud notes are visible to everyone. Locking a note hides its content, but if multiple people's Face ID or Touch ID data is registered on the device, any of them can unlock your locked notes.
The most effective solution in this scenario is to set a custom Notes password that only you know, rather than using the iPhone passcode. Only people who know the password can then unlock your notes, regardless of whose biometrics are registered.
Managing children's devices:
Screen Time parental controls can restrict access to the Notes app itself, but there is no built-in Screen Time setting that disables the lock feature or prevents a child from locking notes on their device. If you manage a child's iPhone, be aware that they can lock notes in a way that blocks your access unless you know their Notes password or have their device passcode.
Tips for a strong and memorable Notes password:
- Avoid obvious choices like birthdays, phone numbers, or sequential digits such as 1234 or 0000.
- Aim for at least eight characters combining letters and numbers.
- Store the password in a password manager such as iCloud Keychain or 1Password so you are never locked out unexpectedly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I change the Notes password after I have already locked some notes?
A. Yes. Go to Settings, then Notes, then Password, and tap Change Password. You will need to enter the current password first. After the change, all of your previously locked notes will open with the new password — the app updates them automatically.
Q. Can Siri read the contents of a locked note out loud?
A. No. Locked notes are fully protected from Siri access. If you ask Siri to read a note and the note is locked, Siri will not display or read the content. This is an intentional privacy protection built into iOS.
Q. If I restore my iPhone from a backup, can I still open my locked notes?
A. Yes, as long as you remember the same password. After restoring, set up Notes with the same password and all previously locked notes will open normally. If you were using the "Use iPhone Passcode" option, simply set the same passcode on the restored device.
Q. Can I access my locked notes from iCloud.com in a web browser?
A. Yes, iCloud.com's web version of Notes supports locked notes. Because web browsers do not have Face ID or Touch ID, you will need to enter the Notes password or your iPhone passcode manually to open a locked note.
Q. Is there a way to lock an entire folder rather than individual notes?
A. Not currently. iOS does not offer folder-level locking. The best alternative is to create a dedicated folder for sensitive notes — such as a folder named "Private" — move your important notes into it, and lock each note individually. While it takes a moment to set up, once the notes are locked, opening them requires authentication every time regardless of folder placement.
Q. Can I view locked notes on my Apple Watch?
A. No. The Notes app on Apple Watch only shows unlocked notes. Locked notes do not sync to or appear on the Watch, which adds a layer of privacy if you share your Apple Watch display in meetings or other situations where your notes might be visible.
Summary
The iPhone Notes lock feature is a straightforward way to protect sensitive information stored in the Notes app. Set it up once in Settings, then Notes, then Password — either with a custom password or, on iOS 16 and later, using your existing iPhone passcode. After that, locking any note takes two taps, and Face ID or Touch ID makes unlocking seamless.
If you forget the password, a reset is available through Settings using your Apple ID, but it permanently closes off any notes locked under the old password — so using a password manager to store your Notes password is strongly recommended. On shared devices, a custom password provides better protection than biometrics alone, because every registered fingerprint or face on the iPhone can bypass the biometric prompt. Keep your password private and stored safely, and your notes will remain accessible only to you.
