How to Get Into Locked Notes on iPhone Without Password

Posted by Brian Davis on Nov 12, 2025 • Category: Unlock iOS
4 mins read

Forgot your Notes password and now can't open important locked notes on your iPhone? You're not alone - this is a common issue among iPhone users. While Apple's encryption makes Notes highly secure, there are still legitimate methods you can try to get into locked notes on iPhone without a password. This guide explains what works, what doesn't, and the safest ways to regain access.

get into locked notes iphone without password

Method 1: Use Face ID or Touch ID to Open Locked Notes on iPhone

If you previously enabled Face ID or Touch ID for locked notes, this is the quickest way to access them without entering the password. Apple allows biometric authentication as an alternative login method, so you may still unlock your notes instantly even if you forgot the password.

Step 1. Open the Notes app on your iPhone.
Step 2. Tap the locked note you want to view.
Step 3. Tap View Note. Use Face ID or Touch ID to unlock it.

unlock note with face id

Method 2: Check iCloud to Access Locked Notes Without Password

If your notes are synced to iCloud, you may be able to view them from iCloud.com or another linked Apple device. In some cases, the note may open without asking for the password, especially if biometric unlock was enabled or the note was synced before the lock was applied.

Step 1. Go to iCloud.com on a browser and sign in with your Apple ID.
Step 2. Click Notes.
Step 3. Check if the locked note is accessible there.

notes icloud com

Method 3: Restore Notes from an iPhone or iCloud Backup

If your note wasn't locked at the time of an older backup, restoring your device may recover an unlocked version. This method can work if the lock was added recently - just keep in mind that restoring a backup will replace current phone data.

Step 1. Determine the date when the note was last unlocked.
Step 2. Select an iCloud or iTunes/Finder backup from before that date.
Step 3. Restore your device using that backup.

notes icloud com

Method 4: Reset Your Notes Password (For Future Notes)

Resetting your Notes password won't unlock existing locked notes, but it allows you to create a new password for locking future notes. This is useful if you want to continue using the Notes lock feature without getting stuck again.

Step 1. Go to Settings > Notes > Password.
Step 2. Tap Reset Password and authenticate using your Apple ID.
Step 3. Create a new Notes password.

reset iphone notes password

How to Prevent This From Ever Happening Again

The best way to avoid this problem is to stop using a custom, separate password for your notes. Apple now provides a much better option: use your device passcode.

In your Settings > Notes > Password menu, you will see an option to "Use Device Passcode." Selecting this means you will use the same passcode you use to unlock your iPhone to also lock and unlock your notes.

select lock way notes

This is the superior method for two key reasons:

  • One Less Password: It's the passcode you use every single day, so you are far less likely to forget it.
  • Works with Biometrics: It automatically enables Face ID or Touch ID for unlocking your notes, which is both faster and more secure.

If you are still using a custom password, making this switch today is the single best way to ensure you never lose access to an important note again.

FAQs About Accessing Locked Notes on iPhone Without Password

  • Q1: Can Apple unlock my locked notes if I forget the password?

    No. Apple cannot unlock locked notes for privacy and security reasons. Locked notes are encrypted, and only the correct password or Face/Touch ID (if previously enabled) can open them.

  • Q2: If I reset my Notes password, will it unlock old locked notes?

    No. Resetting the password only applies to new locked notes. Old notes still require the original password. However, you can still open them with Face/Touch ID if it was enabled earlier.

  • Q3: Why do my locked notes open on one device but not another?

    This usually means the Notes password hasn't synced across devices or iCloud Notes isn't enabled. Make sure you're signed in with the same Apple ID and have Notes syncing turned on for all devices.

  • Q4. What Does "Reset Password" in iPhone Notes Actually Do?

    This is the most common point of confusion. You've likely seen the "Reset Password" option in your settings and felt a spark of hope. However, the "Reset Password" function does not unlock your old, existing notes.

    When you reset your Notes password, you are only erasing your old, forgotten password and setting a new password that will be used for locking any notes in the future. Your previously locked notes will remain locked forever with the old password you forgot.

Bonus 1: What to Do If Notes are Deleted Accidentally

If you delete a note accidentally and want to recover it, you can use TunesKit iPhone Data Recovery, which is a powerful data recovery tool for iPhone users. It can retrieve up to 20 kinds of lost data like contacts, iMessage, photos, notes and more. It supports the recovery of all types of Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

Key Features of TunesKit iPhone Data Recovery

Recover notes in a few clicks. Retrieve data under various scenarios without data loss. Fully compatible with all iOS versions including the latest iOS 26.

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Bonus 2: How to Get Into iPhone Without Screen Passcode

The precondition of visiting locked notes on Notes app is that you can unlock your iPhone screen. If you forgot the screen passcode, there is a quick way to help you unlock your iPhone with ease: use TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is a professional tool to unlock iPhone. Unlocking iOS screen is just one of its features. Apart from that, it also supports Apple ID removal, Screen Time passcode bypass, MDM removal, and iCloud Activation Lock removal. Here are the steps to unlock iPhone screen via this tool.

Key Features of TunesKit iPhone Unlocker

Unlock iPhone screen without a passcode with simple steps. Factory reset iPhone without password with ease. Fully compatible with most iOS device models. Compatible with Windows and macOS.

Try It Free safe 600,000+ Downloads

Step 1 Connect iPhone to computer

Install TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your computer. Connect your iPhone to this computer via a USB cable. Open the tool and select the Unlock iOS Screen feature. Click the Start button.

main interface of iphone unlocker

Step 2 Put iPhone into DFU mode

Follow the instruction on the screen to put your iPhone into DFU mode. If it is successful, click the Next button.

put iphone into dfu mode to factory reset iphone se

Step 3 Download firmware package

Check the info of your iPhone. If there is something incorrect, correct it. Click the Download button after correcting.

download firmware package

Step 4 Unlock iPhone screen

After package is downloaded, click the Unlock button. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start unlocking your iPhone screen.

reset iphone se into factory settings

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Conclusion

Getting into locked Notes on iPhone without the password isn't always possible due to Apple's strong security. However, methods like Face ID/Touch ID, iCloud access, and restoring backups give users legitimate ways to recover access in many cases. To avoid losing access again, make sure to enable biometrics, save your password securely, and keep regular backups.

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