What is the most simple note taking app for IOS?

Question

What is the most simple note taking app for IOS?

I have been searching for, downloading, and deleting various "Notepads" on the App Store. They are way too complicated. The "Notes" app that came preinstalled on the phone is Horrible. I had only made one note and I automatically have 4 folders now; all on my phone, Notes, Recentley deleted, and the folder that I created called "do".

When I open the folder, most of the page is taken up by information like the date and time that I made the note and information such as "No additional text" as if I needed to know that.

I just want to make a to do list and a shopping list that I can open and edit with three simple selections; one to open app, one to select the note, and one to edit the note.

For years I had been using the S Note that came installed on my S4 Galaxy and loved it. Very simple.

Some of the other apps I have tried at the App Store were ridiculously complicated. They wanted me to make online accounts to use it and bombarded me with ads, I needed to agree that they owned the copyright to my notes....

I wouldn't mind paying for a simple, no bells and whistles app that is easy to read and simple to use.

All of the searches for apps that include keywords like "simple" produce results that are anything but simple. I think just about every app out there claims to be simple and easy to use. Are there any apps out there that claim to be complicated and difficult to use?

iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 9.3.2

Posted on May 24, 2016 1:10 PM

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Answer 1

May 24, 2016 11:54 PM in response to elcpu

Thanks, I just looked at the link. I guess I will have to try it out to see.

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Answer 2

elcpu

Level 7

31,586 points

May 24, 2016 11:54 PM in response to Bluestormcloud

Only you can decide what is "simple" or not. Have you tried Notability? It gets high marks on the App Store.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/notability/id360593530?mt=8

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Answer 3

May 24, 2016 3:17 PM in response to Bluestormcloud

Bluestormcloud wrote:

Some of the other apps I have tried at the App Store were ridiculously complicated. They wanted me to make online accounts to use it and bombarded me with ads, I needed to agree that they owned the copyright to my notes...

They're probably not asking for the copyright to your notes. They're most likely asking permission to access your data in order to back it up to their servers. I've seen confusing language in some notes apps.

SimpleNote is, well, simple.

Also, have you looked at the Reminders app?

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Answer 4

May 24, 2016 11:54 PM in response to Bluestormcloud

Wasn't sure if you saw this Apple Support article re: the updated Notes app. The nice thing about using Notes is that you can sync it to your Mac and all of your Apple devices that are signed into the same iCloud account. I write up Shopping Lists on my Mac, and then use my phone when I am at the store. Don't have to do anything - they are there as soon as I write them, pretty much.

Use Notes on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Cheers,

GB

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Answer 5

May 25, 2016 12:04 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Yes the language was confusing. It seemed too obvious that they would retain the intellectual rights to their program so I thought they were claiming the copyright to my notes, but why? Aren't they going to keep it private? Does that mean I can't jot down my thoughts and later on write a book?

I did not find simple note to be simple. I think it probably started that way but they ended up adding too many bells and whistles. I haven't tried reminders app. Thanks for the suggestion.

Do you like how I rated my own answer to elcpu as helpful?

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Answer 6

May 25, 2016 12:09 AM in response to gail from maine

Sounds like a nifty feature. I think I will just have to get used to the installed Note app. The work of trying to find a simple app is ending up consuming more time than the effort of learning something new. Aloha

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Answer 7

May 25, 2016 6:04 AM in response to Bluestormcloud

Bluestormcloud wrote:

Yes the language was confusing. It seemed too obvious that they would retain the intellectual rights to their program so I thought they were claiming the copyright to my notes, but why? Aren't they going to keep it private? Does that mean I can't jot down my thoughts and later on write a book?

In order to move your information to their cloud servers and back up those servers, many services include language that's allowing them to use and transmit your information. It doesn't (necessarily) mean that your privacy is in jeopardy. I use Evernote (not simple, I doubt you'd like it) and they have similar language. It use to come up on their forums periodically.

I find both Notes and SimpleNotes to be quite simple. Just a question of taste.

Reminders is intended to do exactly what you described, though.

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