Search and organize your notes in folders on iPhone

In the Notes app , you can search all your notes for typed and handwritten text, objects that appear in images, and text in scanned documents. You can also organize your notes into folders and pin the important notes to the top of the list.

The notes list with the search field at the top.

Create, rename, move, or delete a folder or subfolder

In the folders list, do any of the following:

Create a folder: Tap New Folder, then name your folder.
Create a subfolder: Touch and hold a folder, then drag it onto another folder.
Rename a folder: Tap the folder, tap , tap Rename, then enter a new name.
Move a folder: Swipe left on the folder, tap , then choose a new location. Or touch and hold the folder, then drag it to a new location. The folder becomes a subfolder if you drag it onto another folder.
Delete a folder: Swipe left on the folder, then tap .
If you change your mind, open the Recently Deleted folder to recover the notes.

Sort, move, pin, delete, or view notes in the gallery view

In a notes list, do any of the following:

Change the folder view: Swipe down on the notes list to reveal more options. To view the notes as thumbnails in the gallery view, tap .
Change the sort order of a folder: Tap “Sort by,” then choose Date Edited, Date Created, or Title. To choose a default sorting method for all your folders, go to Settings > Notes > Sort Notes By.
Move a note to a different folder: Touch and hold the note, tap Move, then choose a folder.
Pin an important note to the top of the list: Touch and hold the note, then tap Pin Note. Or swipe right on the note, then tap the pin.
Delete a note: Touch and hold the note, then tap Delete. Or swipe left on the note, then tap .
If you change your mind, open the Recently Deleted folder to recover the note.

Search your notes

You can search for typed and handwritten text, objects that appear in images, and text in scanned documents.

Swipe down on the notes list to reveal the search field.
Tap the search field, then enter what you’re looking for. You can also choose a suggested search, such as “Notes with Drawings,” then enter additional text to refine your search.
If a note is locked, only its title appears in the search results. The search includes handwritten text (in supported languages), photos, and scanned documents.

Search within a note for typed and handwritten text

Open the note you want to search.
Tap , then tap Find in Note.
Type the text you’re looking for in the search field.

Helpful?

iPhone User Guide

Search and organize your notes in folders on iPhone

Create, rename, move, or delete a folder or subfolder

Sort, move, pin, delete, or view notes in the gallery view

Search your notes

Search within a note for typed and handwritten text