How to Use Instant Notes on iPad With Apple Pencil

[MacRumors]

If you have an iPad Pro, there's a new feature in iOS 11 that's designed to let you open up a new document in Notes just by tapping the Apple Pencil on the iPad's display.

The feature, Instant Notes, works even when the iPad is locked, so you can pick up the iPad and get right to writing without having to go through the hassle of unlocking the device, opening the Notes app, and creating a document.

Using Instant Notes

1. On a locked iPad, press the Home button or the sleep/wake button to activate the display.
2. Tap the Apple Pencil anywhere on the iPad's screen.
   
3. Once you've tapped the Apple Pencil on the display of a locked iPad, it launches straight into the Notes app, creating a new note for you (or allowing you to edit an existing note, depending on your settings).
   

Because the iPad is still locked when the Instant Notes Apple Pencil gesture is used, you can't access additional notes or any other apps until you unlock the device with Touch ID. In this locked mode, you can access all of the Notes features, including the pen tools, the document scanner, the camera, and the sketch tools.

Instant Notes can only be activated from the Lock screen on the iPad. When the iPad is unlocked, you'll need to access your Notes through the app or through the new Notes option in the Control Center.

Turning Off Instant Notes

If you don't want to allow the Apple Pencil to open the Notes app, you can turn off Instant Notes in the Settings app.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down to Notes and tap it.
3. Choose "Access Notes from Lock Screen." The feature is toggled on by default.
   
4. Select "Off."

Adjusting Instant Notes Settings

You can also adjust your Instant Notes options in the Settings app. A tap with the Apple Pencil can be set to create a new note, resume the last note created on the Lock screen, or resume the last note viewed in the Notes app.

When using the two options to resume the last note created on the Lock screen or in the Notes app, you can also set time limits. For the "Resume Last Note Created on Lock Screen" option, you can choose to automatically create a new note instead of resuming after a set time period.

For the "Resume Last Note Viewed in Notes App" option, you can set a time limit after which a passcode will be required to view the note. This makes sure someone who gets a hold of your iPad can't access sensitive data.

An Apple Pencil is required to activate Instant Notes, so it only works with iPad Pro models including the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Article Link: How to Use Instant Notes on iPad With Apple Pencil

 

[tmanto02]

Much needed feature and something that would make using iPads in the corporate world much easier

 

[PsykX]

Game-changing feature here! But it doesn't work well for me. As a workaround, I quickly tap 2-3 times and then I'm sure it works one of these times.
Does this happen to anyone else?

 

[applesith]

Great feature. Not sure the 2 steps needed that long guide lol.

 

[dallas112678]

I wonder where they got that idea...?

 

[jclo]

Great feature. Not sure the 2 steps needed that long guide lol.

Some of these how tos are more of a reminder that a feature exists. That's sort of the case with this one
[doublepost=1506122624][/doublepost]

Game-changing feature here! But it doesn't work well for me. As a workaround, I quickly tap 2-3 times and then I'm sure it works one of these times.
Does this happen to anyone else?

Seems to work reliably for me, but I always tap near the bottom edges. Not sure if where you tap is any kind of factor.

 

[Marco Klobas]

A welcome feature. Very handy.

 

[Saturnine]

Some of these how tos are more of a reminder that a feature exists. That's sort of the case with this one
[doublepost=1506122624][/doublepost]

And some of these aren’t written to be read at all. They only exist for SEO purposes.

 

[0098386]

I bloody love this new feature! It’s come in handy so many times due to its crazy fast speed loading up. Unlocking my iPad, closing whatever’s open, loading up Notes, press create new note... it’s time consuming when you need to write lots of notes.

 

[nvbrit]

This does NOT require an Apple Pencil and is NOT iPad only. The same feature is available from the lock screen in control center on any device running iOS 11 and works the same way

 

[rGiskard]

Creepy strangers will now be able to leave drawings of their junk on iPads. Yay!

 

[McScooby]

Creepy strangers will now be able to leave drawings of their junk on iPads. Yay!

Quicker taking pictures of your bits, no?

 

[philosopherdog]

Why not make a quick video? It’s so much easier to explain new features by demoing them.

 

[Billberryjuice]

View attachment 720428 This does NOT require an Apple Pencil and is NOT iPad only. The same feature is available from the lock screen in control center on any device running iOS 11 and works the same way

Great spot, especially useful for pre-TouchID iPads to be able to jot things down quickly without having to slog through 6 digit PINs and the various animations in between (those years have certainly taken their toll on my Mini 2)
[doublepost=1506347773][/doublepost]

Quicker taking pictures of your bits, no?

I can confirm through first hand experience that it is...

 

[rGiskard]

Quicker taking pictures of your bits, no?

Sure it's faster, but police can use the junk shot to identify you. Junk shots are also tricky to do in a crowded cafe without attracting attention.

 

[Billberryjuice]

Sure it's faster, but police can use the junk shot to identify you. Junk shots are also tricky to do in a crowded cafe without attracting attention.

high risk, high reward