Works for Private iNotes whether or not it has its own passcode. No download needed.
Touch and hold Private iNotes' icon, tap Require Face ID, then confirm. On iOS 18 and later that puts Private iNotes behind Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode; choose Hide and Require Face ID instead to move it into App Library's Hidden folder as well.
Lock Private iNotes with Face ID
- Find Private iNotes on your Home Screen or in App Library.
- Touch and hold the icon until the quick-actions menu opens.
- Tap Require Face ID (or Require Touch ID / Require Passcode, depending on your iPhone).
- Tap Require Face ID again to confirm. Private iNotes now asks for authentication every time it opens.
To test it, close Private iNotes from the App Switcher and open it again. You should see the Face ID prompt before any content appears.
Hide Private iNotes in App Library
- Touch and hold Private iNotes' icon and tap Require Face ID.
- Choose Hide and Require Face ID instead of Require Face ID.
- Confirm. The icon leaves your Home Screen and moves to the Hidden folder at the bottom of App Library.
- To open it later, swipe to App Library, tap Hidden and authenticate.
Hiding also locks the app. To undo either, touch and hold the icon again and choose Don't Require Face ID.
Why lock Private iNotes?
Private iNotes is a encrypted notes app, the kind of app that tends to hold personal information you would not want on screen if someone borrows your unlocked phone. Notes apps quietly collect some of your most personal writing. 'Encrypted' can mean encrypted in transit, at rest on the server, or end-to-end — only the last keeps the developer out.
Utilities range from calculators to VPNs, so their labels vary more than any other category. A simple tool that collects identifiers and usage data for tracking is a sign of advertising SDKs.
A lock answers one question — who can open the app on this iPhone. It does not change what Private iNotes sends to its developer; for that, see Private iNotes' full privacy report.
What the lock does and does not do
It does
- Ask for Face ID, Touch ID or passcode every time Private iNotes opens
- Hide message previews in notifications
- Keep Private iNotes' content out of Spotlight and Siri suggestions
- With Hide, remove the icon from the Home Screen
It does not
- Stop someone who knows your passcode
- Encrypt or change how Private iNotes stores data
- Sync to your iPad or other devices
- Remove Private iNotes from purchase history or Screen Time reports
Don't see Require Face ID?
- Update to iOS 18 or later in Settings › General › Software Update.
- Make sure a passcode is set in Settings › Face ID & Passcode; the lock needs one.
- Some Apple apps (Settings, Calculator, Camera, Maps, Find My, Clock) cannot be locked or hidden.
- If your iPhone is managed by work or school, the option may be restricted.
Other settings worth checking for Private iNotes
Notifications
Settings › Notifications › Private iNotes › Show Previews: When Unlocked keeps message and account details off the Lock Screen.
Private iNotes' full privacy label
The developer has not provided privacy details on the App Store.
Lock these apps too
After you lock Private iNotes
Done. You have applied every control the label points to.
FAQ
Does Private iNotes have its own passcode?
What happens to Private iNotes' notifications when it is locked?
Can someone who knows my passcode open a locked app?
Is a locked Private iNotes encrypted?
Why can't I see the Require Face ID option?
Does hiding Private iNotes remove it from my purchase history?
Is Private iNotes safe? Full privacy report →Lock an app: A–Z →All utilities apps →