Ask Different (Apple)
Q&A for power users of Apple hardware and software
Latest Questions
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Apple Notes - quickly open multiple specific notes
Is there a way (Apple Shortcuts or other) to have a command that will launch the Notes app on macOS **and** open separate windows for multiple of your favorite notes? **Use Case:** I would like to have 3 separate notes open that I'm working on, and have them positioned nicely on the screen. At the e...
Is there a way (Apple Shortcuts or other) to have a command that will launch the Notes app on macOS **and** open separate windows for multiple of your favorite notes?
**Use Case:** I would like to have 3 separate notes open that I'm working on, and have them positioned nicely on the screen. At the end of the day I close them all... and then tomorrow press a button to open all 3 notes again and restore them to their positions. (Restoring window position is *a nice to have*... I'm mostly concerned with being able to open up multiple Notes in separate windows at the touch of a button.)
I don't even really care which language... could be Apple Shortcuts, AppleScript, or even Python. (Maybe one of these jumps out as the path of least resistance?)
Jason Parker
(101 rep)
Jul 10, 2023, 01:55 PM
• Last activity: Aug 5, 2025, 09:01 PM
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1
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156
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Move entire Notes.app database from iPhone to Windows PC?
I'd like to move the entire Notes.app database (all the notes, all the folders, all the file attachments inside the notes) from iPhone to Windows PC? I've scanned a lot of documents with my iPhone's Notes.app, and I want to back them up (and view them on my PC should the need arise).
I'd like to move the entire Notes.app database (all the notes, all the folders, all the file attachments inside the notes) from iPhone to Windows PC?
I've scanned a lot of documents with my iPhone's Notes.app, and I want to back them up (and view them on my PC should the need arise).
InfiniteLoop
(171 rep)
Nov 12, 2023, 09:35 AM
• Last activity: Aug 2, 2025, 12:21 AM
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0
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23
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tagging an Apple Note via a shortcut
I've made my first shortcut for creating my own daily journal entry in Apple Notes. It actually works very well except, the tags that the shortcut adds to the new note are not recognized as tags. The tags render in the default black font color, and the note is not collected in a smart folder that or...
I've made my first shortcut for creating my own daily journal entry in Apple Notes. It actually works very well except, the tags that the shortcut adds to the new note are not recognized as tags. The tags render in the default black font color, and the note is not collected in a smart folder that organizes by tags. If I place the cursor at the end of the "tag" and hit enter, it turns orange, indicating it is now a tag. How do I add a tag to a note template via a shortcut?
Here is a screenshot of the relevant part of the shortcut
punkish
(131 rep)
Aug 1, 2025, 12:38 PM
1
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1
answers
310
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Saving iPhone data storage by moving Notes to iCloud?
Can I save data storage space on my iPhone by moving Notes folders from On My iPhone to iCloud, if possible, how?
Can I save data storage space on my iPhone by moving Notes folders from On My iPhone to iCloud, if possible, how?
EGME
(111 rep)
Oct 14, 2022, 07:04 PM
• Last activity: Aug 1, 2025, 05:03 AM
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1
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How do I turn off auto-transcribe, for audio files in Notes.app notes?
I listen to my own foreign language-study MP3s on my phone, by importing them into Notes.app notes. I find that Apple tries to auto-transcribe the audio, as though it contained lyrics. Since the audio is a combination of Japanese and English, the results are a mess. - **Question**: I would like to t...
I listen to my own foreign language-study MP3s on my phone, by importing them into Notes.app notes.
I find that Apple tries to auto-transcribe the audio, as though it contained lyrics. Since the audio is a combination of Japanese and English, the results are a mess.
- **Question**: I would like to turn off this auto-transcription function, but I don't see a way to do so. It is a waste of computer resources, and doubles the height of each affect MP3-object in the note.
Any ideas?
northerntown
(162 rep)
Jul 16, 2025, 12:30 AM
• Last activity: Jul 18, 2025, 01:13 PM
3
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1
answers
1400
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Restore a deleted Note - no Deleted Notes folder?
I put my phone in my pocket unlocked and when I took it out again it had opened Notes, deleted my growing task list and made a new empty note. I opened Notes on my Mac, and saw the note in question, yay! ...and then sync kicked in and deleted it. Guides suggest looking in the Deleted Notes folder, b...
I put my phone in my pocket unlocked and when I took it out again it had opened Notes, deleted my growing task list and made a new empty note.
I opened Notes on my Mac, and saw the note in question, yay! ...and then sync kicked in and deleted it.
Guides suggest looking in the Deleted Notes folder, but I don't have one of those on any of my platforms.
Can anyone offer a reason this might be happening?
Maury Markowitz
(1566 rep)
Sep 28, 2021, 11:28 AM
• Last activity: Jun 13, 2025, 07:09 AM
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How do I repair a corrupted Notes app on my MacBook Air?
I have a MacBook Air 13" (2015) running macOS Monterey 12.7.6. Yesterday I was using the laptop without the power adapter connected while I was online doing some research. I was not on a specific website, just browsing through email, when suddenly my laptop shut off completely (crashed). When I turn...
I have a MacBook Air 13" (2015) running macOS Monterey 12.7.6. Yesterday I was using the laptop without the power adapter connected while I was online doing some research. I was not on a specific website, just browsing through email, when suddenly my laptop shut off completely (crashed). When I turned it back on, my (directly connected) USB keyboard was no longer responding and my Notes app was empty.
I performed both NVRAM and SMC reboots which did not seem to help.
I was able to get back some of my Notes folders but not all of them.
I tried to use Time Machine to restore the Notes folders, however, I believe I didn't do it properly. Notes will not open properly now as I get a "Notes quit unexpectedly" error.
Bree A
(1 rep)
Jun 9, 2025, 09:03 PM
• Last activity: Jun 10, 2025, 01:37 AM
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0
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21
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Not always able to select text via shift+cursors (Notes under Sequoia)
I have from time to time issues when selecting text inside a note written with macOS Notes. I have Sequoia. The issue presents itself when I have a itemised list only. I place the cursor where I want to copy from and keep the shift-key pressed and press down-cursor, I find I can select only some lin...
I have from time to time issues when selecting text inside a note written with macOS Notes. I have Sequoia.
The issue presents itself when I have a itemised list only.
I place the cursor where I want to copy from and keep the shift-key
pressed and press down-cursor, I find I can select only some lines, then I arrive at one and cannot go beyond.
If I want to proceed, I have to use shift right-cursor and then I can go further.
It seems that the same problem might not be present (or not present as frequently) when selecting 'backwards' (from the bottom of the region to select upwards).
The issue is present in more than one note. How can I fix this?
pinco pallino
(1 rep)
Jun 2, 2025, 12:25 PM
• Last activity: Jun 2, 2025, 08:25 PM
1
votes
1
answers
121
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Can't turn off math results for all iCloud notes by default
When I start a new note and turning off math I see no option in settings to disable this feature. I already have AI disabled. Is there any way to turn off math results for all iCloud notes by default?
When I start a new note and turning off math I see no option in settings to disable this feature.
I already have AI disabled.
Is there any way to turn off math results for all iCloud notes by default?
Z Ixazaluoh
(11 rep)
May 26, 2025, 08:01 AM
• Last activity: May 27, 2025, 05:34 PM
2
votes
1
answers
880
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Notes lagging severely after iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia update
I have some big notes, using colored text and titles. On every device (iPhone 16 Pro, iPad, Mac with Apple silicon) they lag badly while scrolling (especially when using collapsible headings.) Does this seem to be a bad software optimization? [Apple Discussion: Notes App lagging after iOS 18 Update]...
I have some big notes, using colored text and titles.
On every device (iPhone 16 Pro, iPad, Mac with Apple silicon) they lag badly while scrolling (especially when using collapsible headings.)
Does this seem to be a bad software optimization?
Apple Discussion: Notes App lagging after iOS 18 Update
IceRedline
(21 rep)
Dec 24, 2024, 12:04 PM
• Last activity: May 24, 2025, 02:05 PM
0
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2
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3631
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iPhone Notes app is not loading all my notes but I can search for them from Home screen
I am using the Notes app on iPhone 7 plus running iOS 10.2.1. I don't use iCloud. However, a few days ago, the Notes app stopped loading all my notes. My notes app shows nothing. However, when I search for a note using Spotlight Search, I can see the search result. When I tap on it, it opens the Not...
I am using the Notes app on iPhone 7 plus running iOS 10.2.1. I don't use iCloud.
However, a few days ago, the Notes app stopped loading all my notes. My notes app shows nothing.
However, when I search for a note using Spotlight Search, I can see the search result. When I tap on it, it opens the Notes app and showing an endless loading animation on the top of screen. Again, it doesn't load the notes.
Is there any way to fix this problem and recover my notes either by transferring them to a Mac/PC or just fix the Notes app to load all my notes?
Is there any way to fix this problem and recover my notes either by transferring them to a Mac/PC or just fix the Notes app to load all my notes?
user1788736
(121 rep)
Jul 9, 2020, 09:24 PM
• Last activity: May 15, 2025, 04:05 PM
1
votes
1
answers
273
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Restoring iCloud Notes from local copy
I used Notes on three MacOS/iOS devices (iCloud synchronization enabled). Accidentally I removed iCloud data. There were about 1000 notes, part of them were with attachments. Apple support can’t help with this issue. But I saved local copy from MacBook. When Internet connection is restored local cop...
I used Notes on three MacOS/iOS devices (iCloud synchronization enabled). Accidentally I removed iCloud data. There were about 1000 notes, part of them were with attachments.
Apple support can’t help with this issue.
But I saved local copy from MacBook.
When Internet connection is restored local copy is removing.
So I looking for the best way to fix this.
iOS 16.4.1
macOS 13.2.1
I already tried to move all notes (when MacBook is not connected to Internet) to local storage, then enabled connection and copy back to iCloud. I got three different states on three devices. Restarting of applications and devices did not bring them to the same state.
Another variant: I think I should update synchronization status of my local records in db. But there are about 10 tables and it hard to guess what exactly should be updated.
Does anyone has Notes db specification or had an experience in restoring notes?
Konstantin Savin
(11 rep)
Apr 19, 2023, 05:39 PM
• Last activity: May 9, 2025, 06:07 PM
4
votes
1
answers
759
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Notes taken on iPad occur blurry on mac
I have taken a handwritten note using my Apple pencil. I sync the notes via iCloud. Some of the notes appear not full-width in Notes on Mac; rather, they are displayed very small and blurry. The blur stays if I export the note to a PDF file. Strangely, this only happens for some notes. On the iPad,...
I have taken a handwritten note using my Apple pencil. I sync the notes via iCloud. Some of the notes appear not full-width in Notes on Mac; rather, they are displayed very small and blurry. The blur stays if I export the note to a PDF file. Strangely, this only happens for some notes. On the iPad, all notes look the same. I haven't figured out yet what distinguishes these from those notes.
Faulty:
Correct:
I am using
Notes on Mac: 4.6
MacOS: 10.14.6
iOS: 13.1
Correct:
I am using
Notes on Mac: 4.6
MacOS: 10.14.6
iOS: 13.1
Bubaya
(261 rep)
Oct 1, 2019, 04:40 PM
• Last activity: May 7, 2025, 12:03 AM
0
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3
answers
2532
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Possible to create a blockquote in Apple Notes?
I'm using Apple Notes for lots of things lately (especially after discovering the Safari [note taking workflow described here][1]). Often I want to indicate a section is a quote, much like I can with Markdown, here in Stack Exchange, in GitHub, Slack, etc. > Like this Is there any way to do a blockq...
I'm using Apple Notes for lots of things lately (especially after discovering the Safari note taking workflow described here ). Often I want to indicate a section is a quote, much like I can with Markdown, here in Stack Exchange, in GitHub, Slack, etc.
> Like this
Is there any way to do a blockquote in Apple Notes?
Simon Woodside
(2570 rep)
May 12, 2021, 09:15 PM
• Last activity: Apr 28, 2025, 12:02 AM
1
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2
answers
248
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Changed user account name and now notes gone missing
I changed the name of my user account which then made a new folder on my computer for this account and I lost important notes which I now can’t or don’t know how to access. Any help would be appreciated.
I changed the name of my user account which then made a new folder on my computer for this account and I lost important notes which I now can’t or don’t know how to access. Any help would be appreciated.
TakeProfitz
(11 rep)
Nov 7, 2021, 09:16 PM
• Last activity: Apr 23, 2025, 08:07 AM
1
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0
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45
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Move shared note to shared folder with same people in Apple Notes
In Apple Notes, is it possible to move a note that is shared with a group of users into a folder shared with the same group? I cannot seem to do it, but the UI isn't explicit about why it is failing. When I drag-and-drop the note into the folder, the folder is not greyed out and the drop seems to su...
In Apple Notes, is it possible to move a note that is shared with a group of users into a folder shared with the same group?
I cannot seem to do it, but the UI isn't explicit about why it is failing. When I drag-and-drop the note into the folder, the folder is not greyed out and the drop seems to succeed. However, the note does not move.
I have tried on both MacOS and iOS.
HoosierDaddy
(126 rep)
Mar 18, 2025, 03:43 AM
3
votes
1
answers
557
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Sequoia - migrating Keychain app Secure Notes to Notes app
For various reasons, I have approaching 1,000 Secure Notes in my Keychain. Quite a few are old, many get used once or twice a year, not all are website passwords. I'm reluctant to lose/delete any, just in case … Updating from Sonoma to Sequoia 15.2, I've discovered new Secure Notes cannot be added t...
For various reasons, I have approaching 1,000 Secure Notes in my Keychain. Quite a few are old, many get used once or twice a year, not all are website passwords. I'm reluctant to lose/delete any, just in case …
Updating from Sonoma to Sequoia 15.2, I've discovered new Secure Notes cannot be added to Keychain and Apple recommended using locked notes in the Notes app. For existing Keychain Secure Notes, the Apple solution is a manual copy/paste to the Notes app and locking the individual notes. Except I have many 100s, approaching 1,000 - doing it one-by-one is going to take hours and inevitably result in some errors.
I have discussed on the Apple support forums - no bulk migration solutions offered. I have directly chatted with an Apple Support advisor - copy/paste one-by-one is the "official" Apple solution.
I did find a 3rd party tool on github (secure-note-exporter) but it's years old.
Does anybody have any bulk migration solutions?
gwentlarry
(31 rep)
Jan 11, 2025, 08:06 AM
• Last activity: Feb 19, 2025, 11:01 AM
6
votes
3
answers
1344
views
"Paste and Match Style" OSX Notes Keyboard Shortcut Doesn't Work
I feel like I'm taking crazy pills since nobody else seems to be having this issue. I really can't get the keyboard shortcut for **Paste and Match Style** to work in OSX Notes. I copy some rich formatted text, I have the caret at the point I'd like to enter the text, and I press and hold: Option + S...
I feel like I'm taking crazy pills since nobody else seems to be having this issue. I really can't get the keyboard shortcut for **Paste and Match Style** to work in OSX Notes. I copy some rich formatted text, I have the caret at the point I'd like to enter the text, and I press and hold:
Option+Shift+Command+V
This is the keyboard shortcut listed under the Edit menu. When I do this, the Format menu flashes and nothing happens. The fact that the Format menu flashes implies to me that it's selecting a shortcut from that menu rather than the Edit one. The version of Notes is 3.3 (353) in OSX 10.10.5.
Manually clicking "Paste and Match Style" from the menu works properly.
What am I missing here?!
aardvarkk
(361 rep)
Sep 5, 2015, 01:06 AM
• Last activity: Feb 18, 2025, 02:34 PM
37
votes
11
answers
54166
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Is it possible to add a horizontal line to apple notes on a mac?
On MacOS I see ways to enter checklists and tables but no way to enter a horizontal line. Is this possible to do?
On MacOS I see ways to enter checklists and tables but no way to enter a horizontal line. Is this possible to do?
Zaki Aziz
(687 rep)
Feb 8, 2018, 08:56 PM
• Last activity: Jan 28, 2025, 01:53 PM
0
votes
0
answers
96
views
Copy and Paste text and image together from Notes into another app like Notion image broken
As the title suggests, when I copy and paste a piece of text together with an image from Notes into another application, the image turns into a broken placeholder. I have tried this with several apps, both from Notes into the other app, such as Notion, and from other apps into Mac notes. Recently, I...
As the title suggests, when I copy and paste a piece of text together with an image from Notes into another application, the image turns into a broken placeholder. I have tried this with several apps, both from Notes into the other app, such as Notion, and from other apps into Mac notes. Recently, I have tried with Notion and with the web interface for Zendesk, which I use for work. The text renders fine, but the image is broken. If I copy only the image, then it works fine. I am curious if there is a way to make it so both text and image can be copied together.
I am using Alfred's copy history, and using Dropbox Capture for screenshots. I'm not sure if the issue would lie with these tools instead of Mac. I can provide additional information as necessary.
Jimmy Long
(101 rep)
Jan 20, 2025, 08:02 AM
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