How to Lock Notes with Passcode and Touch ID in iOS 9.3 and OS X 10.11.4

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

One of the few new features in iOS 9.3 and OS X 10.11.4 is the ability to set password or Touch ID protection for specific Notes entries. Here's how it all works.

Apple is well known for its unyielding stance on the security of user data, so there are a few things to consider when working with secure notes.

• All records are blocked using a single password, which is specified in the settings. It's better to remember it, otherwise you will lose access to your notes forever.
• Even if you change the password, it will only affect the newly created entries. Notes locked with the old password will not be affected.
• In order not to bother with entering a password, you can enable Touch ID protection. This will not only be more convenient, but also safer: if you forget your password, you can open the note with your fingerprint.
• Locked notes sync with other devices, including Mac, but you can't open them without a password.

How to add a password

First you need to add a master password that will be used to lock your notes. This can be done on both iOS and Mac.

On the iPhone, the menu we need is in the "Notes" settings, in the "Password" section. We come up with a password, be sure to add a hint to it and, if desired, enable Touch ID.

On Mac, you can get to a similar menu by right-clicking on any of the notes in the list and choosing "Lock this note." The system will prompt you to come up with a password and add a hint to it.

How to block a note

On iPhone or iPad, you can use Touch ID to lock notes; on Mac, you will have to enter the password manually. Otherwise, everything is the same.

The lock feature in iOS is tucked away in the Share menu.

On Mac, everything is simpler: notes are locked via the context menu.

How to view a locked note

As you already know, locked records can only be accessed with a password or using Touch ID. Here, too, everything is simple.

On iOS, select the desired note from the list, open it, and then enter the password or put your finger on the Touch ID sensor.

On Mac, select the note and enter the password to unlock.

After entering the password, the note will remain open until you restart the application or lock the screen.

How to reset (disable) a password

Forgot your old password or just want to disable the lock function? It's easy. Just do not forget that this will not affect protected notes (they will remain locked) and that the procedure will have to be carried out on each of your devices separately.

On iOS, the reset button is in the Notes settings. To complete the procedure, you will need a password from the Apple ID to which "Notes" is linked, and confirmation.

On Mac, everything is exactly the same, only the item we need is in the system menu ("Notes" → "Reset Password").

If you want to disable the password, then just click "Cancel" when you are prompted to create a new one after the reset.

The updated "Notes" have become even more convenient and secure. For some, this may be a good reason to transfer their records to Apple's branded service. If you need to export them from Evernote, then do not forget that there is one very.