# Do locked notes show in search?

> In Notes search, a locked note shows only its title, never its contents or photos. What that means for note titles, and how to keep Notes out of iPhone Search.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-notes-in-search/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Notes list with a locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/shows-in--locked-notes-in-search.png)

- Answer: Title only

Search in Notes reads text, handwriting and even objects in images. Locked notes are the exception.

**Short answer:** **Only the title.** Apple says that if a note is locked, **only its title appears in the search results** in Notes. The text, photos and scans inside stay hidden. Because the title shows, give locked notes a dull title. To keep Notes out of iPhone Search, turn off **Show App in Search** in **Settings › Search › Notes** (iOS 18 and later).

The answer

## What shows and what doesn't

- **Note contents**Not in results
- **Photos in the note**Not searched
- **Note title**Shows in results
- **iPhone Search**Notes can be switched off

Why

## Why it works this way

Notes search covers typed and handwritten text, objects in images and text in scanned documents. Apple adds one note: **if a note is locked, only its title appears in the search results**.

Apple lets you choose which apps appear in iPhone Search: **Settings › Search**, tap an app, then turn **Show App in Search** on or off (Settings › Siri & Search on iOS 17).

The title is also visible in the notes list, so the title is the one part of a locked note anyone can read.

By iOS version

## What changed across iOS versions

**Newest version first. Check yours in Settings › General › About.**

| Version | Released | What you see |
| --- | --- | --- |
| iOS 26 | September 15, 2025 | Locked notes: title only in Notes search. Remove Notes from Search: Settings › Search › Notes. |
| iOS 18 | September 16, 2024 | Locked notes: title only in Notes search. Remove Notes from Search: Settings › Search › Notes. |
| iOS 17 | September 18, 2023 | Locked notes: title only in Notes search. Remove Notes from Search: Settings › Siri & Search › Notes. |
| iOS 16 | September 12, 2022 | Locked notes: title only in Notes search. |
| iOS 15 | September 20, 2021 | Locked notes: title only in Notes search. |
| iOS 14 | September 16, 2020 | Locked notes: title only in Notes search. |

3 steps

## Keep Notes out of iPhone Search

1. **Open Settings › Search.** Open **Settings** and tap **Search**, then scroll down and tap **Notes**. On iOS 17, use **Settings › Siri & Search**.
2. **Turn off Show App in Search.** Switch **Show App in Search** off. Notes results stop appearing in iPhone Search.
3. **Rename the locked note.** Make the first line of the note something plain. That line is the title others can see.

> A lock that covers the photo, not just the appVaultForYou 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

## Locked notes in search: questions

### Can someone search the contents of my locked notes?

No. Apple says that when a note is locked, only its title appears in Notes search results. The text, photos, drawings and scanned documents inside aren't shown. The title is visible to anyone using your iPhone, so choose a plain one for anything private.

### Do locked notes appear in iPhone Search?

Apple documents that only the title of a locked note appears in Notes search. To keep Notes out of iPhone Search completely, open Settings › Search, tap Notes and turn off Show App in Search. Your notes and their locks are not changed by it.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [Search notes on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphb8628c6b8/ios)
- [Search on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph3c511548/ios)
- [Lock your notes on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphf177bb154/ios)

## Go deeper

- [Locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/)
- [The title is visible](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-note-title/)
- [Unlock a note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/guides/unlock-notes-iphone/)

## More: do locked items show…?

- [Note photos in PhotosCan, by copy](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/note-photos-in-photos-app/)
- [Locked note titlesYes](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-note-title/)
- [Locked notes on iCloud.comCustom password only](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-notes-on-icloud-com/)
- [Locked notes on iPad and MacYes, still locked](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-notes-on-other-devices/)
- [Locked app notificationsNo previews](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-notifications/)
- [Locked apps in Search & SiriNo](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-search-siri/)
- [Locked apps on other devicesNot locked there](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-on-ipad-and-mac/)
- [Hidden app namesYes, in places](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/hidden-app-names/)
- [CarPlay & call historyNo](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-carplay-call-history/)
- [Hidden album lock on Mac & iCloud.comDifferent locks](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/hidden-album-lock-on-mac-and-icloud/)
- [Vault photos in PhotosUntil you delete](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/vault-photos-in-photos-app/)