Many iPhone and iPad users prefer the default Notes app to jot down quick notes and ideas on the go. Apple’s productivity apps are limited to the company’s ecosystem of products only. Applications like Notes and Reminders aren’t available on Microsoft Store for Windows. However, there are several ways to access Apple Notes on Windows. Let’s talk about them.
Thanks to smart folders, tags, tight integration with iOS, home screen widgets, and a feature-rich text editor, the Notes app is getting popular among iPhone users. While Mac users can check and compose new notes with a native app, the same isn’t true on Windows. You need to rely on iCloud web or sync notes using Outlook.
Enable Apple Notes Sync to iCloud
You can use iCloud web to access your Apple Notes on Windows. Before that, you must sync the notes with your iCloud account. Otherwise, you can’t see your Apple notes on the web.
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone.
Step 2: Go to your account.
Step 3: Select iCloud. Tap Show All.
Step 4: Select Notes and tap ‘Sync this iPhone’ toggle from the following menu.
You need to have enough iCloud space to sync your Apple Notes. If you don’t have sufficient iCloud space, subscribe to one of the Apple One or iCloud+ plans.
Use iCloud Web
Apple recently redesigned the iCloud web from scratch. It looks much better now and lets you access iCloud photos, tasks, notes, documents, and other iCloud folders. Here’s how you can use it to check your Apple Notes.
Step 1: Visit iCloud on the web. Sign in with your Apple account details.
Step 2: Authenticate your account with a six-digit code that you receive on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 3: Check the new iCloud home.
Step 4: Open Notes.
Step 5: You can check all your Apple Notes folders and notes from the following menu.
It’s packed with all the features you expect from the Apple Notes app. You can create new folders, notes, edit existing notes, and use all the text-editing features.
You can also set up and use iCloud on Windows and sync iCloud Photos, passwords, Safari bookmarks, and more.
Add Apple Notes Shortcut on the Windows Taskbar
Thanks to a new add-on in Windows 11, you have the option to add the Notes shortcuts on the taskbar. If you frequently use Apple Notes on Windows, we recommend following the steps below.
Step 1: Head to the iCloud website and sign in with your Apple account details.
Step 2: Open Apple Notes.
Step 3: Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Step 4: Expand More tools and select Pin to taskbar.
You can add the Apple notes shortcut to the Windows start menu too. From now on, you don’t even need to open your preferred browser to check iCloud notes. They are only a one click away from your Windows taskbar and start menu.
Check Outlook Notes on Windows
You can enable Outlook notes in the default Notes app on your iPhone. These notes are available via the Outlook email client on Windows.
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone and scroll to Mail.
Step 2: Tap Accounts and select Outlook. Sign in with your Outlook account details.
Step 3: Enable the Notes toggle for Outlook.
Step 4: Open Apple Notes and select the Outlook folder. You can create new notes in Outlook.
Step 5: Open Microsoft Outlook on Windows.
Step 6: Select Notes from the sidebar.
Step 7: You can check your synced notes from your iPhone.
The trick does come with several disadvantages, though. When you compose new Outlook notes on your iPhone, you lose rich text editing options. You can’t even attach an image, either.
Use Outlook Web
You can check your Outlook notes on the web version too.
Step 1: Visit Outlook on your preferred browser.
Step 2: Sign in with your Microsoft account details.
Step 3: Check the OneNote feed from the top right corner.
Step 4: You can check your synced notes here. You can edit them using the text editing options and even attach an image to your note.
Check Your Apple Notes on Windows
As you can see from the list above, there are several ways to sync Apple Notes on Windows. Most users should be completely fine with the iCloud web. Outlook users can explore the notes integration too.
