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

iOS 27 and Notes Feature

iOS 27 Adds Four New Features to Notes App, Including Markdown Copy-and-Paste

Wednesday June 17, 2026 10:11 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 27 update that Apple unveiled last week includes some new features and enhancements for Apple's Notes app on the iPhone. iOS 27 is currently available as a developer beta, with a public beta to follow in July. The update is expected to be released to all users in September. Below, we have outlined four additions to Apple's Notes app on iOS 27. Siri AI On the iPhone...
Apple Acquires Award Winning App Play Feature

Apple Acquires Award-Winning App 'Play'

Monday June 29, 2026 7:39 am PDT by
In February, Apple notified the European Commission that it would be acquiring certain assets from and have the right to hire certain employees from Rabbit 3 Times, the company behind the award-winning app design tool Play. The notification was published on the European Commission's website this week, following a four-month waiting period. Play was a Mac and iPhone app that allowed designers ...
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

Apple 'Concerned' Over iPhone 18 Pro Data Leak From Supplier Tata

Monday June 29, 2026 11:46 am PDT by
Apple is "concerned" about a recent data leak from Tata Electronics, one of its manufacturing partners in India, reports Reuters. Tata Electronics was the target of a cyberattack, with confidential Apple documents stolen and shared on the dark web. Hackers were able to steal information about the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, including a list of suppliers, parts, and images of the...