Why Apple Notes may be the best note taking app

There are 3 features that set Apple Notes apart from most other note-taking apps.
Siri Integration
Security
Document Capture

00:00 Introduction
01:30 Basic features
01:55 Organization in Apple Notes
02:15 Online options
03:36 Basic formatting
04:00 Checklists and Tables
05:15 Smartfolders
06:20 Siri Integration
08:05 Locked Notes
09:00 Passwords
09:50 Scanning and Image Capture
12:39 on iPad Pro

🎥 This video was created using Camtasia 🎥
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[billotoole]

I have a folder in Apple Notes that I named Wallet and this is where I store individual photos of my loyalty cards, library card, etc., so I don’t have to keep key tags or full sized cards. I open Apple Notes, open my Wallet folder, touch the file with my CVS card and hold my phone up for the clerk to scan. It works every time.

[oragasol]

I tested the limits of Apple Notes in terms of memory. I wanted to transform into a note this big file I had, the full 614 pages of a dictionary I summarized. And I was astounded: no problem whatsoever, the note is fully functional, no slowing down as I scroll into it.

[bbenedict]

I am a doctoral student and I use Apple Notes extensively while doing research. I keep two screens open on my iPad at one time-the article I'm reading and Apple Notes. Using smart notes I can organize my research and quickly find it when needed. I use Apple Notes in my personal life as well. The checklist feature is great for grocery lists. Once you tap on an item, it goes to the bottom of the list but is still there for the next shopping trip. In my work I use the scan document feature to turn in time sheets and other documentation. I agree with you that the Smart note feature is a great search tool.

[markhwebster]

Great review! I'm a 15 year user of Evernote, but now that I'm retired I don't like Evernotes continual rise in price. I exported all my Evernotes into PDF, then uninstalled it in favor of Apple Notes. Up until now, I've not paid for Apple iCloud. But if my Notes storage gets larger, Apple's Cloud storage is far cheaper than Evernotes yearly cost.

[marcom]

I have been an Apple Notes fan since the first day I bought my first iPhone. I’ve always appreciated the simplicity of it.
That said, I have also tried so many note taking type apps because they had the one or more shiny things than Apple’s. No matter what new shiny object other apps have, I end up transferring those notes back to Apple.

Great job on your story telling of Apple Notes. I even learned about the option to capture text. Thank you.

[the_original_landcruisers]

I am moving all of my Evernote content into Apple notes, so a very useful and “in time” video that was offered up to me without even searching for it. I’m trying to migrate to more fully to Apple and take advantage of my iCloud storage. These differentiator features are also going to be very handy for me. Hadn’t thought about using Siri to start and note, so I just tried it with my Watch. Game changer.

[nromo]

FYI, if you hold the Apple Pencil stroke (stop moving it, but don’t lift it from the iPad surface) at the end of creating certain markups (circle, arrow, straight line, heart, triangle, square, heart, etc) it will create a ‘perfect’ version of said object .. in your example, you would have had a couple of arrows, a square, and straight lines of highlight color on your text ..

[Jffb]

Hi Steve, wonderful video, even if I already knew all the features is never to much to listen how other advanced users put into use this great app. I recently started to use Apple Notes as my main notetaking system. The bigest disavantaged that I see is that, as I'm a Windows user, would be very appreciate if Apple improved their Apple Notes inside icloud, which is horrible, or release an App for windows.

[nickwilliams]

Great video as always Steve. As with many of the other comments, I have used many of the other note taking apps. Bottom line for me is that Apple’s notes is so well integrated into their ‘ecosystem’ , Siri’s ability and the simplicity of the app and enhanced security makes this a ‘no brainer’ decision for me.

[drdenisewilliams-shannon]

I have not used a note system to date. Based on your review, I will start to look at apple notes. I read the comments so far and would be interested in your take on some of the concerns that people have expressed such as issues with iphone integration. Also, I would be interested in the google keep and apple notes comparison. Thanks for your research.

[ftorreck]

Another great integration is between Notes and Reminder. Highlight any text in a noter, chose Share, select Reminder and add tags, dates etc to the reminder. I use that to add and share our dinner plan with the Today filter so I know whats on the menu today - simple but effective 😅

[CallMeChato]

Hey Steve. Excellent vid. I use Evernote and Apple notes religiously. The former for biz and the latter for all my creative work. Yes it’s the integration and Siri and the spontaneity of Notes that works so well. The only thing you missed was Notes in iCloud is great if your stuck on a Windows computer somewhere. Take care.

[skverskk]

Excellent presentation. I experienced issues using Apple Notes on my iPhone 11 synced with iCloud. On more than one occasion, I lost some of my notes. Another occasion, one of my sub folders was gone. To this day, I cannot figure what happened. So, I’m a little nervous and continue to rely on One Note as my go to App. But, as always, I enjoy your YouTube video tutorials.

[blacksorrento]

I had reason to use Apple notes scanning ability on a couple of documents convert it to PDF and send.
It was a lifesaver, I was on a time frame, my scanner was down, IT network engineer son told me about it. I had no idea it had that facility.
Your video is very good, you explain it well 😊 I am always learning. I have an iPhone, iPad and watch, all sync’d so easy, wouldn’t be without them.

[kristinp]

Would love to see a comparison between Google keep and notes. Thanks for all you do!

[bwilsonbp]

Thanks, Steve, I appreciate your comprehensive review of Apple notes. As a Windows and Apple user, I have played with Notes, liked many of its features, but have never mastered. It were used the tool regularly. Your video inspired me to try it out more Plus I’m thinking of going back to a Mac computer.

[alanlee]

Hi Steve. Thanks for this. Once I’d tried Apple notes, I stopped trawling the other apps out there - life’s too short !! Been using it for a few years now, and more than satisfied with its functionality and seamless sync to my other devices. I particularly appreciate the locked notes and scan features.

[garycard]

Great video! I use Apple notes exclusively and find it adequate for my needs. Love the ability to ( now ) insert Links and pictures. What I didn’t know was the integrated scanning of text and documents feature that you showed us. Thanks for that. And although I knew about Siri, I had not thought about using it within notes, to get a note started. Keep up the good work!

[ralesandro]

I love Apple Notes. On the iPad, you also have a quick note feature, where you can swipe up from the corner to bring up Notes on the fly. Handy when in another app and wanting to take some quick notes. Thanks Steve!

[fb]

Thank you, Steve, for highlighting a few really useful features in Apple Notes. About 4 years ago, I switched from Apple Notes to Evernote, but you've given me some compelling reasons to consider switching back. I think Apple Notes has evolved a fair amount since I switched to Evernote, so it really does deserve another look. I plan to take my workflow and do a side-by-side comparison between Notes and Evernote to help me decide whether I want to switch back to Apple Notes. I do love all of the integration that Apple builds into their ecosystem, and I wouldn't mind getting away from that annual Evernote cost. Thanks Steve.