How to Use Quick Note on iPad (iPadOS 16)

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

Quick Note is a floating note editor available from your iPad Home Screen or while working in any app. We'll show you how to open a Quick Note by swiping up from the bottom corner of your Home Screen or by adding Quick Note to your Control Center. Also, if you find the swipe to open a Quick Note annoying, we'll show you how to disable it too.

Why You'll Love This Tip

  • Learn how to open, navigate, customize, and create a new Quick Notes. 
  • Learn how to disable the Quick Notes swiping feature if you find it gets in the way.

How to Open Quick Notes on iPad & Edit Them

Because Quick Note is an added Notes app feature, not a separate app, you won't find a Quick Notes app on your device. However, you can create a Quick Note no matter what app you're in, or directly from your iPad Home Screen. If you like helpful tips about using your Apple devices, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter!

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Here's how to open a Quick Note and edit it, then close Quick Note when you're done.

  1. The simplest way to access Quick Note on an iPad is to swipe up from the bottom-right corner of your iPad. If you have an M1 iPad capable of running Stage Manager, be sure to turn Stage Manager off if you want to use this swiping gesture with Quick Note.

    The simplest way to access Quick Note on an iPad is to swipe up from the bottom-right corner of your iPad. If you have an M1 iPad capable of running Stage Manager, be sure to turn Stage Manager off if you want to use this swiping gesture with Quick Note.
  2. You can also add Quick Note to your Control Center for quick access, particularly if you'd like to use Quick Note in tandem with Stage Manager. To do this, open Settings on your iPad.

    You can also add Quick Note to your Control Center for quick access, particularly if you'd like to use Quick Note in tandem with Stage Manager. To do this, open Settings on your iPad.
  3. Tap Control Center.

    Tap Control Center.
  4. Tap the green plus next to Quick Note.

    Tap the green plus next to Quick Note.
  5. Now, you can access Quick Note by swiping down from the top-right corner of your Home Screen.

    Now, you can access Quick Note by swiping down from your home screen.
  6. And tap the Quick Note icon.

    And tap the Quick Note button.
  7. Additionally, if you're using an external keyboard, you can also open a Quick Note by using the keyboard shortcut globe + Q.

    Additionally, if you're using an external keyboard, you can also open a Quick Note by using the keyboard shortcut globe + Q.
  8. Tap anywhere in the Quick Note window to begin typing, or simply start scribbling with your Apple Pencil or third-party stylus.

    Tap anywhere in the Quick Note window to begin typing, or simply start scribbling with your Apple Pencil or third-party stylus.
  9. Swipe from left to right to scroll through your Quick Notes.

    Swipe from left to right to scroll through your Quick Notes.
  10. Tap the grid icon to see your notes in the Notes app.

    Tap the grid icon to see your notes in the Notes app.
  11. Tap the compose icon to start a new Quick Note.

    Tap the compose icon to start a new Quick Note.
  12. And lastly, Tap the more icon (circle icon with the three dots) to add a screenshot, share, or delete the Quick Note.

    And lastly, Tap the circle icon with the three dots to add a screenshot, share, or delete the Quick Note.
  13. When you're finished, tap Done

    When you're finished, tap Done. 

Now, you will be able to find your note in the Quick Notes folder in the Notes App! 

How to Turn Off Quick Note Swipe on iPad

Although Quick Note may be useful for some, for others, the swiping gesture is a bit annoying and gets in the way. I'll show you how to get rid of the Quick Notes swiping gesture on iPad to avoid a Quick Note popping up.

  1. Open Settings on your iPad.

    Open Settings on your iPad.
  2. Tap Notes.

    Tap Notes.
  3. Tap Corner Gestures.

    Tap Corner Gestures.
  4. Toggle Allow Finger to Swipe From Corner off. It will be gray when disabled. 

    Toggle Allow Finger to Swipe From Corner off. It will be gray when disabled. 

If the option is grayed out and you are unable to toggle it on or off, it may be because you have Stage Manager enabled, so be sure to turn Stage Manager if you do want to use the swiping gesture for Quick Note. Also, getting rid of the swipe-up feature in Quick Notes will not delete your notes; it will simply turn off the ability to use the swiping gesture to open one. 

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Author Details

Ashleigh Page's picture

Author Details

Ashleigh Page

Ashleigh Page is an Associate Editor for iPhone Life. A longtime Apple enthusiast with a Bachelor's in English and Computer Science and three years of experience writing about tech, Ashleigh has written and tested hundreds of articles about devices and features within Apple's ecosystem. She specializes in iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Mac content and has authored a 60-page in-depth guide about the Apple Maps app. Based in North Carolina, Ashleigh is often crafting whimsical (and sometimes nonsensical) short stories and hiking when she's not working.