iOS · iPhone & iPad

Lock Private Notes on iPhone With a Passcode or Face ID

Source-checked About 10 minutes

Answer

Lock eligible notes with the iPhone passcode or a separate Notes password, then enable Face ID and remove sensitive previews or unlocked copies.

Guide steps4 steps
  1. Choose the password system
  2. Lock the note
  3. Enable biometric access
  4. Reduce other exposure
  5. If it still does not work

Choose the password system

In Notes settings, use the device passcode for simpler recovery or create a separate Notes password you can reliably remember.

Lock the note

Open an eligible note, choose Lock, and authenticate; some attachments, shared notes, and account types cannot be locked.

Enable biometric access

Allow Face ID or Touch ID for Notes, then verify the note relocks when you leave it.

Reduce other exposure

Delete unlocked duplicates, review notification previews and backups, and remember a forgotten custom Notes password cannot unlock old notes.

Video walkthrough

If it does not work

  • If “Lock Private Notes on iPhone With a Passcode or Face ID” remains unresolved, identify which numbered step first produces a different result and preserve that screen or message. Recheck the account, permission, storage, connection, or device prerequisite described above, then follow only the matching Apple Support recovery path; do not combine unrelated resets, bypasses, or third-party repair tools.
Sources and verification

Checked against official documentation on . Scope: iPhone & iPad.

Reviewed against the linked first-party guidance; interface labels can vary by current app, service, or operating-system version.

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