How to reset forgotten Notes password on iPhone

I am having the same issue! The older notes were Touch ID -- I never set up a numerical ID. Didn't occur to me that upgrading to the X would mean I would have neither Touch nor numerical. Lesson learned.

Anyone know a work around for this?

This is exactly that happened to me too. I also tried loading an old iCloud back up but that doesn’t work. Ever since I updated my phone, I have zero access to those locked notes and it doesn’t allow me to use my Touch ID unless it’s for a new locked note after the iOS update. I also made sure the Touch ID was clicked in the settings and everything. Also when changing the password in the settings it allows me too like the old password I put in was correct yet I’m still unable to use old or new password for the locked notes.

To all the high and mighties suggesting that people in this position should "take some responsibility for their data" and have written their Notes password down - get off your oh so high horses. This is a lack of functionality on Apple's part - for whatever reason they chose not to write password reset functionality for Notes.

This is not "increased security" in any way. Which other Apple or any other system passwords can you not reset should you need to?

I can reset my entire Apple ID via my registered email. I have 2FA activated on my account. I have FaceID.

As a result, I should be able to reset a password on an innocuous app such as Notes ffs!!

Hello Thank you for standing up for those of us who have also forgotten our password. Would you please tell me though, is there any way to make this method work if you only have "Notes" on your cell phone?

My issue is that I forgot my password hint to my notes so I can not view my old notes that are locked, I did everything...but my old notes are locked because I did not write down the password, I know the hint is US, but I tried the old password and it does not work

Exact same thing is happening to me. And there is no other way to unlock my old notes. Doesn’t it make sense to have the notes reset for all of your saved notes??

Another thing have you managed to gain access to your old notes yet?

I had Touch ID previously. Now I have face unlock. I am unable to reset my password. The Face ID is however not able to unlock my notes. I think it’s very stupid to not have a way to unlock the old notes.

I did the very same thing..Upgraded to a Max & I was locked out of my notes the ‘hint’ is there & I know it

but it still won’t unlock any notes. If you change your password that immediately eliminates the old one and you can only use your new one for any new passwords or information. The unfortunate thing is to change password, you must remember the old one. I believe I am going to take my phone back and get a new one and see if this is just a fluke or making me want my touch ID back!

If your old phone with Touch ID does not work at all, you are out of luck. I recently had same experience, but my old phone still worked. After giving up with Apple tech support, I had a workaround and, was able to transfer all Notes including locked ones.

If the FBI can’t get into a phone, and the claims that they did are still in debate, that gives me a comfort feeling that my information is safe......from anyone.

I’m not suggesting my information is super valuable to anyone but me, but at least my shopping list is safe 🤪.

But seriously, if you are foolish enough to forget your password, and the hint you gave yourself doesn’t help, then you are the one at fault. Leave yourself a better hint. Engrave the password on the bottom of your kettle or something.

Dont blame a manufacture for trying to make your information safe.

Its a bit like you buying a car with all of the safety features, traction control, ABS, collision avoidance etc and then blaming the car manufacture because you crashed while driving it badly.

Take responsibility for your actions. Manufactures will and try to help but the bottom line is you are in the driving seat - no pun intended.

If you think your information will be safer on another platform, where others can use back doors to gain access then go for it. It’s your information and you are in control. You make your own choices.

Oh, and in case any reader is wondering, I’m nothing to do with Apple and the above is just my view. I’m not getting anything for sharing it.

If however someone wants to offer me something, I’m happy to consider it 👍

its human nature to make mistakes on a regular basis. To make that comparison to buying and using the car scenario doesn’t make any sense as that is not in the same category in this comment. Ur entitled to ur opinion as the rest of us. In the electric industry especially with phones laptops etc...

thats like buying a laptop and run into the same situation but difference here are given ways to reset things in the event the non perfect human has forgotten. Your comment may be at me but indirectly you aiming at the mass majority who are also in the same boat. And if you don’t own an Apple product, why are you in this forum in the first place and posting your uncredited comment. I’d take your reply more seriously if that wasn’t the case. You can go stir the pot in another forum where your comment holds value sorry. I’m not buying that remark. “I don’t own the product but I’m gonna say how dumb ppl are posting theirs complaints” yeah sure ok buddy.

Just reminds me of a bad sales rep at a Best Buy selling me something he knows nothing about but comments on great the product is and recommends it based on opinion and holds no value. In that scenario you gonna blame the person who bought it anyway even though he listened to the guy hired by the company. Choices yes are choices period. The guy would be bringing the product back for a refund if not satisfied as it was falsely advertised to him up front.

Manufactures try to make things efficient overall. My disapproval is locking out potential ppl who make real honest mistakes and providing no support in that case there’s an issue or a backup plan in place. Other companies do offer this type of support on many platforms and categories so it’s not ancient knowledge. So you can take your non credited response and can bury it in your backyard. You can take responsibility for that action can’t you? For the rest who still and have had this issue as it’s not old either responsibility for their own action is to leave a comment feedback as Apple suggests or go return the product or but another product that meets their needs. It’s just the way it goes.

And my the phone offer was sarcastic as your comment to accept the offer also was.

so if have anything sensible to add feel free otherwise use your head before coming at someone for Something you don’t take part of

This might work if I didn’t have to wipe my phone prior to the issue but I’ll consider this in the future tho. I’ve seen key logger programs apps and what not. There other apps that work the same way as notes but if ur locked out it’s just a email or text verification to reset if anything. Microsoft has one for my hotmail. Looks pretty cool actually. Thanks

I actually own 2 iPhones, 3 iPads and an Apple Watch. I’ve been an apple customer since my first iPhone 4.

Im sorry you feel that I’m getting at you for you not taking responsibility for forgetting your passwords.

Im very happy with the products apple sell and the software included with them.

The best way to show your feelings if you aren’t happy is to go buy some other manufactures product.

But you would rather trash them and then trash me for suggesting you do so.

When you sign up to using any product, the instructions explain how to use that product and any limitations - if the purchaser actually reads the instructions. Shame on you if you didn’t read them. In the case of Apple notes and using a password it clearly explains if you forget your password you will loose access to the contents of that note. By using the notes app and applying a password you knew that if you lost the password you would loose access to the information. Why are you moaning? Don’t use the app if you don’t want to be tied to the way it works. Use something else and stop blaming other people for your failing. You put a password on the note. No one else. You forgot your password, no one else. It’s totally your fault, no one else’s.

Now please feel free to moan at me. It’s not going to get you your information back. It’s just going to make you feel even more miserable about your failing..... and I have very thick skin. 🤪

Yes! I went from Touch ID to XS MAX and I’m so mad I can’t get into my notes. I’m a writer and all my pieces of writing are there and I can’t get to any of them. Any answers to this please help me! Please and thank you.

OMG LMAOO, since you been a apple Customer for so long this means I in fact wont get my information back since I forgot the password. I use to be able to access it because I used Touch ID but now I have the XS MAX and it won’t unlock my notes because I used iCloud back up and won’t use Face ID only for new notes I create. Any help will be greatly appreciated.