Coming soon to theApp Store

Write a note

Free

On this page

Notes keep the things that aren’t on paper next to the things that are: a list of questions for the notary, the code for the building’s gate, what the mechanic said. A note can hold headings, lists, checklists and bold text, and you can attach scans, photos and files to it.

What it is

A note is a simple page of text in your vault:

  • A title, which you can type or leave empty. An empty title follows the note’s first line.
  • The text, with light formatting: headings, bullet lists, checklists and bold.
  • Attachments: scans, photos or files, shown under the text.

Notes save themselves as you type, when you leave the app, and when you close the note. They appear on the Notes shelf and in All items, and the vault’s search finds their text.

When to use it

  • Lists and to-dos linked to your papers (see also Make a checklist).
  • Details you need to find quickly: a policy number, a customer number, opening hours.
  • A summary of a phone call, with the related letter attached.

For passwords, PINs and other secrets, use a Secure note in Hidden instead; Hidden adds keys only Face ID, your Hidden passcode or your recovery key open. See Add things to Hidden.

Step by step

Write a note

  1. Tap + at the bottom of the Vault (or inside a folder).
  2. Under Create, tap Note.
  3. The note opens, ready to type. Type a Title if you like, then write under it (“Start writing”).
  4. Tap Done on the toolbar above the keyboard to stop editing, or just go back. The note is already saved.

If you leave a new note completely empty (no title, no text, no attachment), it’s removed when you close it.

Format text

While you type, a toolbar sits above the keyboard:

  • Checklist: turns the line into a checkbox item.
  • List: turns the line into a bullet.
  • Heading: makes the line a heading.
  • Bold: makes the selected words bold.
  • Attach: adds a scan, photo or file.
  • Done: hides the keyboard.

Select several lines first to change them all at once. Tap the same button again to turn the formatting off. In a list, pressing Return starts the next item; pressing Return on an empty item ends the list.

You can also type the formatting yourself: # at the start of a line for a heading, - for a bullet, - [ ] for a checkbox and **words** for bold.

Read and edit

When you open a note, it shows formatted, with headings, bullets and tappable checkboxes. Tap the text to edit it again.

Attach a scan, photo or file

  1. Tap Attach a scan, photo or file at the bottom of the note (or Attach on the keyboard toolbar).
  2. Choose Scan, Photo or File.
  3. The attachment appears under the text. Tap it to open it. To take it off, touch and hold it, then tap Remove.

Share, file or hide a note

At the top right of a note:

  • Share: Send a copy, Share link (Pro) or Links to this item.
  • •••: Add to folder, Duplicate, Change type…, Never send to AI, Move to Hidden and Delete. To rename a note, edit its title.

Free and Pro

Notes are free.

Pro: with Name and sort new scans on, AI gives a name to new notes you leave untitled, once they have at least 20 characters. A title you type is never changed. On the Free plan, an untitled note is named after its first line and never sent to AI.

Privacy

  • Notes are stored in Paperwise’s encrypted database on your iPhone, with your titles and other text.
  • Attachments are files in your vault, encrypted by Paperwise with its own key, kept on this iPhone only; Face ID guards the app when the app lock is on.
  • Nothing goes to AI until you allow it. On the Free plan, notes are never sent to AI. With Pro’s “Name and sort new scans” on, you’re told once for everything you add afterwards. To keep a note away from AI, use ••• → Never send to AI, or hide it.

Tips

  • Start with a clear first line, such as “Car insurance: policy details”. It becomes the title and makes the note easy to spot.
  • Put a note and its papers in the same folder, or attach the scan to the note.
  • Need a checklist straight away? Use + → Checklist.

What if…

What if my note disappeared?

A new note with nothing in it is removed when you close it. If it had text, look on the Notes shelf, in All items, or in Recently deleted.

What if the title changed by itself?

If you left the title empty, it follows the note’s first line, or Pro’s AI named it. Tap the title and type your own; it’ll stay.

What if it says “Couldn’t attach that. Try again.”?

The scan, photo or file couldn’t be added. Try again; if it keeps failing, check your iPhone has free storage.

Still stuck? Write to support@paperwise.app.