Apple updates default apps once a year with major OS updates. This is also the case with the Notes app. With the macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15 updates, the company added the Quick Notes functionality so users can take notes without opening the app. Here’s how to use quick notes on Mac, iPad, and even iPhone.
Have you ever come across a situation where you want to quickly jot down a thought or mobile number but don’t have the right app for it? Of course, you can always open your preferred note-taking app and create a new note. But that’s not the point. When you open an app to create a note, you might miss that moment.
Apple’s Quick Notes can save you from such situations. With macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15, users can quickly take notes in the default Notes app without opening the app. Here’s how.
Use Quick Notes on Mac
The Quick Notes functionality is only available on Mac computers running macOS Monterey or higher. Here’s how to use it.
Stage 1: You can move the cursor to the lower right corner.
Step 2: You will see a Quick Note popup.
Stage 3: Click on it and macOS will open a small Notes window for taking notes.
Step 4: Add a title, take notes and hit the close button at the top.
Quick Notes on Mac is not a barebones solution. You can use all the text editing functions available in the main Notes application. It can edit text with several text styles, create a list, table, and even add a web link.
Every time you open Quick Notes on Mac, it will open the note you created a while ago. What if you want to get another quick memo?
In this case, you need to open the Notes app on Mac. You will see the Quick Notes section in the left sidebar. Right click the note and move it to your iCloud account.
Quick Notes will now offer a clean note for writing notes. Also, iCloud syncs all your Quick Notes across connected devices.
Use Quick Notes on iPhone
There is no direct way to use Quick Notes on iPhone. Apple has added a Notes toggle to the Control Center to let users create a quick note on the go.
It is disabled by default. You need to enable it from the settings menu. Here’s how.
Stage 1: Open the Settings app on iPhone.
Step 2: Go to Control Center > More controls.
Stage 3: Tap the + icon next to the notes.
Step 4: It will be included in the Control Center menu.
You can now swipe up from the top right corner and reveal the Control Center on iPhone. Tap the note toggle button and it will take you to the note creation section. Create a note with rich text editing options and return to the home screen.
Added notes are not stored in the Quick Notes section. This is an excellent example of Apple’s default apps that take advantage of OS level integration. Apple does not allow any other note-taking app to add a toggle to Control Center.
Use Quick Notes on iPad
The Quick Notes functionality makes the most sense on the iPad. iPad users with iPadOS 15 can use Apple Pencil to take quick notes on the go.
Stage 1: Take the Apple Pencil and hover it over the lower right corner.
Step 2: A pop-up window will appear showing the quick note.
Stage 3: Click on it and a quick note window will open for taking notes.
Use your Apple pencil and create a handwritten note on iPad. Open the Notes app on iPad and access your Quick Notes from the left sidebar. You can move these notes to a folder in Apple Notes.
Take Notes on the Go
Apple has also added tag support to the Notes app on all hardware. For example, you can create a #quicknote tag and add it along with any notes created via Quick Notes. This way, you can easily identify and manage such notes with tags.
We hope to see a similar app on iPhone to create a quick note. Control Center is fine, but something like the quick note gesture in the lower-right corner of the iPhone can be useful to users.
