# I can't lock a note

> Lock missing in a note? Apple won't lock notes with video, audio, PDFs, tags or iWork files, shared notes, Quick Notes, or Gmail and other IMAP notes.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/cant-lock-a-note/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Note menu with Lock highlighted](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/fix--cant-lock-a-note.png)

- 6 causes

Apple only locks some notes. If Lock is missing or greyed out, one of these applies.

- **Causes:** 6
- **Steps:** 2

**Short answer:** Apple only locks notes **on your device or in iCloud**. It won't lock notes with **PDF, audio, video, Keynote, Pages or Numbers** attachments, notes with **tags**, **shared** notes, **Quick Notes**, or notes that sync with accounts like **Gmail or Yahoo**. Using your **device passcode** also needs **iCloud Keychain** on. Remove the blocker, or move photos to a new iCloud note.

Causes

## Causes, most likely first

| Cause | How to tell | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Video, audio or PDF in the note | The note has a non-photo attachment | Remove it, or keep photos in a separate note |
| Note is shared | People icon on the note | Stop sharing it first |
| Gmail, Yahoo or other IMAP account | Note sits outside iCloud or On My iPhone | Move it to an iCloud note |
| Tags or Quick Note | Note has #tags or is a Quick Note | Remove tags or copy into a normal note |
| Managed Apple Account | Work or school account | Locking isn't available |
| iCloud Keychain off | Device passcode option fails | Turn on iCloud Keychain |

2 steps

## Lock photos in a clean iCloud note

1. **Start a new note in iCloud.** In **Notes**, make sure you are in an **iCloud** folder, then start a note and add only photos.
2. **Tap ••• › Lock.** Tap the **More** button, then **Lock**, and choose your iPhone passcode or a notes password.

Did that fix it?

Good. People usually do this next:

- [Remove the copies in Photos](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/note-photos-in-photos-app/)
- [Pick a plain title](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-note-title/)

Find your fix:

- [Need video? Use a vault](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/vault/)
- [Locked note vs vault](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/locked-note-vs-vault/)

> A lock with no settings to get wrongVaultForYou keeps the photos, videos and documents you choose in a private vault that opens only with a pattern you draw. [Get VaultForYou](https://www.vaultforyou.app/)Free to download · iPhone, iOS 16 or later

Questions

## Can't lock a note: questions

### Why can't I lock a note on my iPhone?

Apple only locks notes stored on your device or in iCloud, and not if they contain PDF, audio, video, Keynote, Pages or Numbers attachments or tags. Shared notes, Quick Notes and notes syncing with Gmail, Yahoo or other IMAP accounts can't be locked, and a Managed Apple Account can't lock notes.

### Can I lock a note that has a video in it?

No. Apple doesn't let you lock notes with video, audio or PDF attachments. Keep the photos in their own note and lock that, and put videos somewhere else: the Hidden album, which locks on iOS 16 and later, or a vault app with its own lock.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [How to lock or unlock notes on your iPhone or iPad](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102537)
- [Lock your notes on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphf177bb154/ios)

## Go deeper

- [Lock notes on iPhone](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/guides/lock-notes-iphone/)
- [Locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/)
- [Locked noteGlossary](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/glossary/locked-note/)

## Other fixes

- [Require Face ID missing](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/require-face-id-missing/)
- [Notes password not working](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/notes-password-not-working/)
- [Note won't open with Face ID](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/locked-note-wont-open-with-face-id/)
- [Locked app still notifies](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/locked-app-still-shows-notifications/)
- [Guided Access won't end](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/guided-access-wont-end/)
- [Hidden album not locked](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/hidden-album-not-locked/)
- [Locked notes won't open on iCloud.com](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/locked-notes-missing-on-icloud-com/)