Open Notes, tap the compose button, then tap the share icon to invite people
To create a shared note on iPhone, open the Notes app, start a new note or open an existing one, then tap the share icon (it looks like a person with a plus sign) in the top right corner. From there, you can choose how to send the invite — through Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or a direct link — and decide whether people can only view the note or also edit it.
The person you invite will see the note appear in their own Notes app once they accept. Everyone editing the same note sees changes in real time, and you can see who has made edits and when by tapping the info icon at the top of the note.
Key Takeaways
- Shared notes appear in the Notes app on everyone's device, not in a separate app or email thread.
- You control whether people can only read the note or also make changes when you send the invite.
- Changes show up instantly for everyone viewing the note, and you can see the edit history by tapping the info button.
- You need an iCloud account to share notes, and everyone you invite must have an Apple device or be able to open a web link.
Starting a new shared note from scratch
Open the Notes app and tap the compose button (the pencil and paper icon) in the bottom right to create a new note. Type your note content, then tap the share icon in the top right — it shows a person with a plus sign inside a circle. This opens a menu with sharing options.
Choose how you want to send the invite: Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or Copy Link. If you choose Copy Link, you can paste that link anywhere — into a text, email, or chat app — and the person who opens it will be prompted to view the note. Once they accept, they'll see it in their Notes app.
Inviting people to an existing note
If you already have a note written, you can share it the same way. Open the note, tap the share icon in the top right, and choose your method. The note will be sent exactly as it is at that moment — any changes you make after sending the invite will appear for the other person in real time once they accept.
You can invite multiple people to the same note. Each person you add will see the note in their own Notes app and can edit it if you gave them permission to do so. There's no limit to how many people can work on one note together.
Choosing view-only or edit permissions
When you tap the share icon, you'll see an option that says "Allow Editing" with a toggle switch. If the toggle is on (green), people can read and change the note. If it's off, they can only read it — they cannot make changes or add content.
You can change this setting at any time. Open the note, tap the info icon (the circle with an "i") at the top, scroll down to the "Shared With" section, and tap the person's name. You'll see the toggle for "Allow Editing" and can turn it on or off for that person alone.
Seeing who edited what and when
To view the edit history of a shared note, open the note and tap the info icon at the top right (the circle with an "i"). Scroll down and you'll see a "Shared With" section listing everyone who has access. Below that is a list of recent changes, showing who made edits and when.
Tap any change in the list to see what was added or removed. This is useful if multiple people are editing and you want to track who changed what. You can also see the full version history by tapping "View Note History" if your note has many edits.
Stopping a share or removing someone
If you want to stop sharing a note with one person, open the note, tap the info icon, find that person's name in the "Shared With" section, and tap it. Then tap "Stop Sharing" or swipe left on their name and tap the red minus button. They will no longer see the note in their Notes app, though they'll keep any copy they may have downloaded or screenshotted.
To stop sharing with everyone and make the note private again, tap the info icon, scroll to the top of the "Shared With" section, and tap "Stop Sharing" next to the note title. The note will remain in your Notes app, but no one else will be able to see it.
Troubleshooting shared notes that aren't syncing
If changes aren't showing up in real time, first check that everyone is signed into iCloud. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then iCloud, and make sure Notes is toggled on. If it's already on, try signing out and back in.
If the person you invited doesn't see the note at all, make sure they actually accepted the invite. They should have received a notification or message with a link — tapping that link is what adds the note to their Notes app. If they deleted the message, you can resend the invite by tapping the share icon again and choosing their name from your contacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share a note with someone who doesn't have an iPhone?
Yes. When you tap the share icon, choose "Copy Link" and send that link to anyone — they can open it in a web browser on any device. However, they won't see the note in a Notes app; they'll view it in their browser instead. If they have an Apple device, they can tap the link to add it to their Notes app.
What happens if I edit a note while someone else is editing it at the same time?
Both edits will save. The Notes app merges changes automatically, so if you add text to one part and someone else adds text to another part, both additions will appear. If you both edit the exact same sentence, the last change to save will overwrite the previous one.
Can I see if someone is currently viewing or editing my shared note?
No. You can see the edit history and who made changes, but the Notes app doesn't show you real-time indicators of who is viewing the note right now. You'll only know someone edited it after they've finished and the change has synced.
Do I need iCloud+ to share notes?
No. Basic iCloud (which comes free with every Apple ID) includes note sharing. You don't need to pay for iCloud+ to share notes with others.
What if someone stops accepting my shared note invites?
If they decline or ignore the invite, the note won't appear in their Notes app. You can try sending the invite again through a different method — for example, if you sent it through Mail, try Messages instead. If they continue to decline, they may not want access to that note.