How to Reset Your Password for Locked Notes on an iPhone

Last Updated: March 14, 2022 Tested

It's great that the Notes app on iPhone and iPad allows you to lock certain notes to keep them private. You can set a separate password for the Notes app that is different from your Apple ID password. However, if you forget your password, you will be locked out of your locked notes. Is there anything you can do? This wikiHow article teaches you what your options are if you forget a Notes password on iPhone or iPad.

Question 1 of 5:

Can I Reset My Notes Password?

Yes, but it will not apply to notes that are already locked. When you lock a note in the Notes app, you are required to use the password that was set when the note was locked to regain access to the note. While you can reset your Notes password in the Settings menu, this will only apply to new notes going forward. You will not be able to use the new password to unlock notes that were locked prior to resetting your password.^{[1]
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Question 2 of 5:

Can I Recover a Forgotten Password for Locked Notes?

Unfortunately, you cannot reset the password for locked notes. You cannot use your Apple ID to reset the password for locked notes, and Apple cannot help you retrieve your old password.

Question 3 of 5:

Can I Use Face ID or Touch ID to Unlock a Note?

Yes, you can use both Face ID and Touch ID to unlock a locked note. As long as you have not updated your Face ID or Touch ID settings or turned off Face ID or Touch ID in the Settings menu, you can use both Face ID and Touch ID to unlock a locked note. To do so, make sure you are using the device the note was composed and locked from. Tap the notes you want to view and then place your finger on the Home button for Touch ID or hold your iPhone up to your face for Face ID.
- If you are able to gain access to a locked note using Face ID or Touch ID, it is recommended that you copy the contents of each locked not to a new unlocked note. Once you reset your Notes password, you lock those notes using the new password.

Question 4 of 5:

Can I View A Password Hint?

Yes, if you created a password in the Settings menu. When you create a password in the Settings menu, it gives you the option to enter a password hint. It will display the password hint if you enter the password incorrectly while trying to view a locked note.
- If you locked a note from within the Notes app, it does not give you the option to enter a password hint. However, you can reset these passwords from within the Settings menu.

Question 5 of 5:

How Do I Reset My Notes Password?

You can use the following steps to reset your Notes password. Again, this will only apply to new notes going forward. You will still need your old password in order to gain access to notes that were locked prior to resetting your password. Use the following steps to reset your Notes password:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Notes.
- Tap Password.
- Tap iCloud or On my iPhone.
- Tap Reset Password at the bottom.
- Enter your Apple ID password.
- Enter your new password and verify it.
- Enter a password hint you can use to remember your password.
- Tap Done.

Community Q&A

Question

Is there any way to get into locked Notes when I can’t remember the password?

Community Answer

Go to Settings > Notes > Password. Tap Reset Password. Enter your Apple ID password. Then tap Reset Password again. Enter your new password and password hint.