xser Author

Level 1

119 points

Notes app making random text into links

Random text is (spontaneously) being turned into links (see screenshot) in the Notes app.

Further info

I sometimes delete links (individually), but other links reappear later.
Some links make sense (e.g., turning a url into a link, turning a date into a link, etc.)
Of the links that do not make sense: they do not correspond to the text that was turned into a link. The link usually refers to a site related to something 10-30 lines above or below it. E.g., "ective and Impulsive Determinants of Human B" links to the site for "Analytic cognitive style, not delusional ideation, predicts data gathering in a large beads task study" (which appears 27 lines below that link).

How I am using Notes

I write and paste (unformatted) text in the Notes app on Mac and iOS.

I sync the notes between my Macbook Air and iPhone.

Other info

OSX 10.11.5

iOS 9.3.2

Any guidance or insight will be appreciated!

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on Jul 14, 2016 6:09 AM

25 replies

xser Author

Level 1

119 points

Jul 30, 2016 9:10 AM in response to xser

Update:

Intervention: I just did a fresh install of El Capitan (for another issue: "All internet-based apps suddenly slow; fan speed high"). (By "fresh install" I mean I erased the drive, reinstalled the OS, and rebuilt my software without using backed up preferences, settings, users, etc. I installed apps from the App Store and went back to OS X's stock settings).

Outcome: The Notes app has continued to turn random text into links since the fresh install.

Also, iWork tells me that they are looking into this.

DentonR

Level 1

4 points

Oct 6, 2016 5:28 AM in response to xser

It will not allow me to hit "I have this question too," so all I can do is reply. I am having the EXACT SAME issues using the notes app on my iPhone 5S. Can you contact me on here, or email me at drpragency@gmail.com? Thank you.

Ed_Hawco

Level 1

13 points

Dec 6, 2016 10:30 AM in response to DentonR

Me too. Random links being created in Notes. Not just text that's copied and pasted; random text that I just type in will later show up as a link. Sometimes the link is to a web page (also seems random) and sometimes the link wants to make a phone call if you click it. And it's not even a clean link, in that the link text starts and ends randomly.

For example, I type:

The quick red fox jumped over the lazy dog.

The next day I look at the note and I see this:

The quick red fox jumped over the lazy dog.

...and the link calls someone in my contacts list, or maybe opens some random web page, or tries to open a web page but the URL is invalid.

Ed_Hawco

Level 1

13 points

Dec 6, 2016 10:34 AM in response to Ed_Hawco

Oh, I should add that it's been doing this for a while. Not sure when it started. El Capitane or maybe earlier. My notes are on iCloud and are used on a MacBook Air, Mac Mini, iPhone 6, and iPad Air. OS and iOS versions aren't really relevant because it's been going on for a while, through several updates.

Eric Root

Level 10

685,215 points

Dec 6, 2016 5:20 PM in response to Ed_Hawco

Send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem or a suggestion for change. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem/suggested change solved sooner.

Feedback

Eric Root

Level 10

685,215 points

Feb 11, 2017 4:57 PM in response to jimsci

It is an OS application, so leave OS feedback.

Mar 29, 2017 5:14 PM in response to xser

Did you ever find an answer? I have the same problem.

xser Author

Level 1

119 points

Apr 2, 2017 6:23 AM in response to hobonobfineotony

No. Sorry.

The iWork team asked for further information so that they could investigate and fix the problem. I have not heard back from them and I have not discovered a solution.

xser Author

Level 1

119 points

Apr 24, 2017 12:20 PM in response to davidfromholladay

Thanks David! This is helpful troubleshooting info! I hope the iWork team is able to take a look at this and sort it out.

xser Author

Level 1

119 points

Apr 24, 2017 12:26 PM in response to davidfromholladay

That fits my experience as well. Thanks for making another part of the problem more explicit.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Notes app making random text into links