How to Lock Notes on iPhone
Locking notes on your iPhone is important for protecting your private and sensitive information from unauthorized access.
Let’s be honest, not everything in your Notes app is meant for public viewing.
Maybe it’s your master password list, your daily thoughts, or a not-so-secret shopping list for someone’s surprise party. Whatever it is, the last thing you want is someone accidentally stumbling upon it while borrowing your phone to check the weather.
That’s where Apple’s built-in note-locking feature comes in, an underrated but powerful tool that adds an extra layer of protection to the notes you’d rather keep private. It doesn’t matter if you’re team Face ID, Touch ID, or old-school passcode; iOS lets you lock down individual notes so only you can access them.
And it’s not just about hiding secrets, it’s about control. With our phones storing everything from bank details to personal reflections, having a way to selectively protect information is a smart move. In this guide, we’ll show you how to set it up, what to expect, and how to unlock your notes like a pro, no extra app downloads required.
How to Lock Notes on iPhone
Step 1: Open your Notes app on your iPhone
Step 2: Long-press the note you want to lock and select Lock Note

Step 3: To set your locking method, either use your iPhone's password or create a separate password
Step 4: If you choose to use your iPhone passcode, you’ll need to enter it to confirm. After confirming, a pop-up will ask if you’d like to enable Face ID for unlocking notes in the future. You can tap Use Face ID to enable it or Not Now if you prefer not to
Step 5: Once the note is set up to be locked, you’ll see a lock icon at the top of your screen. Tap the lock icon to lock or unlock the note
Conclusion
Locking your notes on iPhone is a simple but powerful way to keep your private thoughts, personal data, or sensitive information secure, all without needing a third-party app. Whether it’s your journal entries, passwords, or planning notes, Apple gives you the tools to protect what matters most with just a few taps.
It’s not about hiding secrets, it’s about taking control of your digital space. So if you haven’t already locked down your most important notes, now’s the perfect time to start. With Face ID, Touch ID, or a custom passcode, your notes stay yours and yours alone.