How to Share Folders in the iOS Notes App - MacRumors
Skip to Content

How to Share Folders in the iOS Notes App

by

notes icon ios 12In iOS 13, Apple fleshed out the feature set of the stock Notes app while enhancing the viewing and search functions in such a way that it's now easier than ever to generate, find, and organize your notes.

In particular, there are new options to share entire folders of notes with friends or colleagues, including the ability to share your notes in a read-only capacity. Keep reading to learn how it's done.

In iOS 12, users were limited to sharing individual notes in Apple's stock app, which was frustrating for heavy note-takers, to say the least. Fortunately, there are two ways you can share a folder of notes in iOS 13.

Method 1

  1. Launch the Notes app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. In the Folders view, swipe from right to left on the folder that you want to share.
    how to share folder notes ios 4

  3. Tap the leftmost Share button (the blue icon).
  4. Check that the Share Options permissions at the bottom of the screen are set the way you want (invited people either Can make changes or View only).
    how to share folder notes ios 1

  5. Choose how you'd like to share the folder. The default sharing options include iMessage, Mail, and a Copy Link option if you want to share the invitation link in another way that's not offered in the additional third-party sharing buttons shown.

Method 2

  1. Launch the Notes app on your iPhone or ‌iPad‌.
  2. Tap into the folder of notes that you want to share.
    notes

  3. Tap the circled ellipsis button at the top right corner of the screen.
  4. Select Add People in the pop-up menu.
  5. Check that the Share Options permissions at the bottom of the screen are set the way you want (invited people either Can make changes or View only).
    notes

  6. Choose how you'd like to share the folder. The default sharing options include iMessage, Mail, and a Copy Link option if you want to share the invitation link in another way that's not offered in the additional third-party sharing buttons shown.

If you use a Mac running macOS Catalina and signed into the same iCloud account, the sharing status of your folders and your chosen permissions will be automatically synced to the desktop Apple Notes app.

Related Forum: iOS 13

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Unveiled Four New Products Today

Tuesday August 25, 2026 8:39 am PDT by
Apple today unveiled a new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chip options, a new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chip options, a new version of the Polishing Cloth with a lower price, and updated Magic Keyboards for Macs. To learn more about these products, read our coverage below: Apple Announces New Mac Mini With M6 and M5 Pro Chips and More Apple Unveils New Mac Studio With M5 Max and M5...
iPhone 18 Pro Dark Cherry Feature

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: When Will Apple Event Be Announced?

Monday August 24, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
It is now late August, meaning that Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner. Below, we take a look at when the event might be held this year. This September, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new foldable iPhone that will reportedly be named the iPhone Ultra. The regular iPhone 18, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and the iPhone Air 2 are not...
apple magic keyboard with glyphs 2026 refresh

Apple Quietly Refreshes Magic Keyboards

Tuesday August 25, 2026 7:22 am PDT by
Apple today quietly introduced updated Magic Keyboard models with revised U.S. English key labeling. On the new keyboards, the tab, caps lock, shift, return, and delete keycaps are labeled with glyphs rather than edge text. On the full-size models with a numeric keypad, the change goes further, with the home, page up, page down, end, clear, and enter keys also swapping their text labels for...