iOS 18: Notes Disappeared from the Notes App on iPhone? Here’s How to Recover Them

The Notes app is one of the most convenient tools on the iPhone for jotting down important information, creating to-do lists, or simply capturing random thoughts. It’s one of the go-to app for staying organized and keeping track of things. But what happens when those notes suddenly vanish? That’s exactly what happened to me.

Recently, after not opening the Notes app for about a month, I decided to check a folder where I had stored some critical information. To my surprise—and frustration—every single note had disappeared. I felt a mix of confusion and panic, wondering if they were gone for good. If you’ve found yourself in a similar situation, you’re not alone. Many iPhone users have encountered this issue, and while it’s unsettling, there are several possible reasons behind it and, fortunately, multiple ways to fix it.

Before diving into solutions, ensure your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS 18. Apple frequently addresses bugs in their updates, and upgrading may resolve the problem without additional troubleshooting. Once you’re on the latest iOS version, follow these steps to recover your missing notes.

Solution 1: Upgrade to the latest version of iOS 18

Many users have reported that upgrading to iOS 18.1 has resolved issues with disappearing notes. To check for updates:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to General > Software Update.
3. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

Once your iPhone is updated, check the Notes app. If the issue persists, proceed with the following solutions.

Solution 2: Enable or Reset iCloud Sync for Notes

If your notes are stored in iCloud, syncing may have been disabled or interrupted. Here’s how to check and reset it:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on your name at the top to access your Apple ID settings.
3. Select iCloud.
4. Scroll down and tap Notes. If you do not see Notes, tap See All and Notes.
5. Toggle Sync this iPhone on (green), as you can see in the screenshot below.
   • If it’s already on, turn it off and then back on.
6. Open the Notes app and wait a few minutes for your notes to sync from iCloud.

Solution 3: Check and Adjust iCloud Sync Settings

If Solution 1 didn’t work, you can try these additional steps:

Note: This one is almost identical to the first one, but still try.

1. Open Settings and use the search bar to find iCloud.
2. Tap on your name at the top to access your Apple ID settings.
3. Under Apps Using iCloud, select Show All.
4. Find Notes and tap it.
5. Turn off Sync this iPhone and wait for a few seconds.
6. Turn Sync this iPhone back on.
7. Check the Notes app after a few minutes to see if your notes have been restored.

Solution 4: Restart iCloud Sync

If the previous methods haven’t resolved the issue, try restarting the iCloud sync entirely:

1. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
2. Toggle Notes off.
3. Restart your iPhone.
4. Go back to Settings > iCloud, and turn Notes back on.
5. Wait a few minutes for your notes to sync back to your device from iCloud.

Additional Tips

• Check Recently Deleted: Open the Notes app and check the Recently Deleted folder to see if your notes were accidentally deleted.
• Switch Accounts: If you’ve linked multiple accounts to your iPhone (e.g., Gmail or Outlook), ensure the Notes app is set to display notes from all accounts. Go to Settings > Notes > Default Account and select the appropriate one.
• iCloud Storage: Make sure you have enough iCloud storage for syncing. Low storage can cause syncing issues.

Related articles:

• Fix Notes App Not Working After macOS Sequoia Update
• Notes Are Not Syncing Between iPhone, iPad and Mac
• How to Undo and Redo in Notes
• How To Reset Forgotten Notes Password