# My notes password isn't working

> Forgot your notes password, or the right one fails? Apple can't recover it; a reset only covers new notes, and old notes may use an old password. What to try.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/notes-password-not-working/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Notes password settings with Reset Password highlighted](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/fix--notes-password-not-working.png)

- 3 causes

Two different problems look the same: a forgotten password, and a note locked with an older one.

- **Causes:** 3
- **Steps:** 3

**Short answer:** If a note rejects your **current** password, it may be locked with an **older** one: Apple shows a **hint** for that old password, and once you enter it you can update the note. If you **forgot** the password, Apple **can't help you regain access**; **Reset Password** only applies to notes you lock afterwards. Face ID works only if you turned it on before.

Causes

## Causes, most likely first

| Cause | How to tell | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Note locked with an older password | Wrong-password alert shows a hint for an old password | Enter the old one; then update the note |
| Forgotten custom password | No password or Face ID opens it | No recovery; reset only for future notes |
| Device passcode vs custom password | You set Use Device Passcode later | Notes switch to the new method once opened |

3 steps

## Reset the notes password for new notes

1. **Open Settings › Apps › Notes › Password.** Open **Settings**, tap **Apps**, **Notes**, then **Password**, and choose the account.
2. **Tap Reset Password.** Tap **Reset Password**, enter your Apple Account password, then tap **Reset Password** again.
3. **Pick the new method.** Use your **device passcode** or enter a new password and hint. It protects notes you lock from now on; old notes keep the old password.

Did that fix it?

Good. People usually do this next:

- [Same password on iPad and Mac?](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-notes-on-other-devices/)
- [How note locks work](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/)

Find your fix:

- [Forgot notes password: full guide](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/guides/forgot-notes-password/)
- [Face ID won't open it](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/locked-note-wont-open-with-face-id/)

> 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

## Notes password not working: questions

### Can Apple recover my forgotten notes password?

No. Apple says it doesn't have access to locked notes and can't help you open them if you forget a custom notes password. Resetting the password lets you lock new notes, but notes locked with the old password stay locked. Face ID or Touch ID only helps if you had turned it on.

### Why does my notes password say it's wrong?

The note may be locked with an older password. Apple says that if you enter your current password on such a note, you see an alert with a hint for the old one. Enter the old password and you get the option to update that note to your current password.

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

- [Forgot notes passwordFull guide](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/guides/forgot-notes-password/)
- [Unlock notes](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/guides/unlock-notes-iphone/)

## Other fixes

- [Require Face ID missing](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/require-face-id-missing/)
- [Note won't open with Face ID](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/locked-note-wont-open-with-face-id/)
- [Can't lock a note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/fix/cant-lock-a-note/)
- [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/)