Locking a note is the simplest privacy habit you can build. Here is how to do it in Apple Notes on both devices, followed by an honest answer to the question people ask next: is Apple Notes secure?
How to lock a note on iPhone (Apple Notes)
- Open the note you want to protect.
- Tap the More button (three dots in a circle) at the top right.
- Tap Lock.
- The first time, choose Use iPhone Passcode or create a separate Notes password. Turn on Face ID if you want to unlock without typing.
- The note is now locked. Tap the lock icon at the top of the note to lock it again after viewing, or pull down on the notes list and tap Lock Now to lock all locked notes at once.
How to lock a note on Mac (Apple Notes)
- Open the Notes app and select the note.
- Choose File › Lock Note, or click the lock icon in the toolbar.
- The first time, set a password or choose to use your Mac login password, and enable Touch ID if available.
- Click the lock icon again, or choose File › Close All Locked Notes, to lock it.
A few limits to know: you cannot lock a note that contains certain attachments such as audio or video, notes shared with other people cannot be locked, and there is no way to lock the whole app or make it lock automatically after a few minutes.