Laatste update: 16 juli 2025

Discover these 10 hidden Apple Notes features that will double your productivity

Apple Notes: An Unexpected Powerhouse

You might think you know all the features, but nothing could be further from the truth . What if I told you that you can take notes without unlocking your screen, or drag and drop text like a digital wizard?

The most impressive feature, however, isn't what you think. It's the way Apple Notes can transform your entire digital life into a seamlessly connected web of information. Get ready for 10 Tips to Take Your Productivity to the Next Level - even the most experienced users will be amazed.

Quick Notes

Let’s start with one of the most powerful features: Quick Notes. You can create a quick note without unlocking your screen. Just tap your lock screen and you can start writing right away. This is great for meetings where you need to jot something down quickly.

Another handy way to open Quick Notes is to swipe up from the bottom right corner of the screen with your Apple Pencil. From here, you can add links, write by hand, or navigate between your recent quick notes. If you’re in the browser, you can insert the current page. You can even resize and move your note around.

Drag Text and Images

A time-saving feature is the ability to drag and drop text and images directly into your notes. Simply select the text you want to import and literally drag it into your notes. Links are imported as well, which is very convenient. The same goes for images.

Taking Screenshots

To take screenshots, drag the Apple Pencil up from the bottom-left corner of the screen. You can share the screenshot directly to Apple Notes and annotate it. You can choose to save just what’s on your screen or the entire page, which is useful for news articles or blog posts.

Scan Text

Apple Notes also offers the ability to scan text. Open the Notes app, tap the camera icon, and choose "Scan Text." Position your iPad so that the text falls within the camera frame, and voila! This is especially useful for students who want to import pages from books or specific quotes.

Notes Connect

One of the newest and most powerful features is the ability to link notes together. Simply highlight words in your text, tap “Add Link,” and type the title of the note you want to link to. This is especially useful if you use Apple Notes for multiple topics. You can even create a “Home” or “Start” page that acts as a central hub for all of your personal and professional information.

Text replacement

Text replacement is another handy feature. It lets you type a few letters and have them automatically replace them with a word or phrase. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement to turn it on. This can significantly increase your typing speed.

Search in Notes

Did you know you can find your notes without opening the app? Swipe down on your home screen to open Spotlight search. Type the title of the note you want to open, or use keywords, then tap Search Notes.

Quick Actions

A hidden feature is the ability to perform quick actions by long-pressing the app icon. For Apple Notes, you can quickly start a new note, create a checklist, or instantly take a photo or scan a document.

Split Screens

Finally, if you often work with split screens, you can create a shortcut to open Apple Notes and another app (like YouTube) right next to each other. To do this, create a new shortcut in the Shortcuts app, choose 'Split View', and select the apps you want.

These tips and tricks will dramatically increase your productivity in Apple Notes. Experiment with them and see how they fit into your workflow. Whether you’re a student looking to study more efficiently, a professional looking to be more organized, or just someone who wants to get the most out of their iPad , these features will help you get the most out of Apple Notes.

Boost your productivity with Apple Notes

With these 10 hidden Apple Notes features, you now have the tools to take your productivity to the next level. From jotting down quick notes without unlocking your screen to connecting all your information in a personal knowledge network, Apple Notes is a lot more powerful than you might think. Experiment with these features and see how they fit perfectly into your workflow, whether you're a student, professional, or Apple enthusiast.

Ready for the next step?

But remember, this productivity boost starts with having the right Apple equipment. Are you ready for an upgrade or want to try out these features on a new device? Then take a look at our collection of refurbished Apple products.

For the best Apple Notes experience, we highly recommend the iPad – perfect for handwritten notes and quick annotations with the Apple Pencil.

Discover our refurbished iPads and experience for yourself how a refurbished device can double your productivity, without burdening your wallet. Take the step to working more efficiently with Apple Notes today!

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