iOS 18 major changes coming to your iPhone Notes: During WWDC 2024, iOS 18 Notes didn’t get much spotlight, but Apple’s built-in note-taking app is getting significant updates in this year’s software. This is great news if you prefer using the Notes app over third-party options.
In recent iOS updates, Apple has been improving Notes by adding formatting tools and the ability to link notes together. iOS 18 continues this trend by making these features smarter. While some Apple Intelligence features are limited to newer iPhones like the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Notes in iOS 18 benefits from enhancements that make it even more useful for organizing your thoughts.
Audio transcripts for your Notes
As you probably know, the iPhone has a Voice Memos app for recording meetings, lectures, conversations, or jotting down your thoughts. In the current iOS version, you can paste these recordings into Notes. However, iOS 18 simplifies this process by integrating recording directly into the Notes app.
Even better, iOS 18 offers real-time transcription of your recordings right within Notes. This means you can easily paste the transcript into a note, making it simpler to search for specific words and phrases. You can also format the transcript as you like, adding it to other documents or including checklists.
A note about the transcription feature: It requires an iPhone 12 or newer model to work. Initially, it will only support English.
Math Notes
Apple showcased the new Math Notes feature during its iPadOS 18 presentation, but it’s also available on the iPhone version of Notes. You can simply type in a math equation, and Notes will solve it right there in your note.
On the iPhone, most users will enter their formulas using the on-screen keyboard. Alternatively, you can use the drawing tools in Notes to handwrite a math problem, and the app will offer to solve it for you.
A standout feature from Apple’s Math Notes demonstration was how it updates automatically. If you modify any part of the equation, the answer will adjust accordingly. For example, if you’re calculating expenses and need to change one of the amounts, the total will update instantly.
Collapsable sections
In Notes, formatting tools allow you to mark text as titles, headings, subheadings, body text, or monospaced. In iOS 18, headings and subheadings can now collapse. When you create a heading in your note, a small arrow appears next to it. You can click on it to show or hide the text underneath. This feature aims to make it simpler to quickly scan through notes that have lots of text.
Colored text
In iOS 18 Notes, you can now change the color of text parts within a note. Apple calls this feature “highlight style” in its iOS 18 preview. This lets you mark important text with different colors, making it easier to find later or adding visual interest to your notes.
Smart Script
The Smart Script feature is highlighted in iPadOS 18 Notes, offering impressive enhancements worth noting. If you use your iPad to write notes, Smart Script can tidy up your handwriting to make it more readable while preserving your unique style. This allows you to focus on capturing your thoughts without worrying about legibility.
But that’s not all. You can type text and paste it into a handwritten section, and Smart Script will convert it to match your handwriting style. It also lets you correct spelling mistakes inline, rearrange text by dragging, and erase text by scribbling over it.
Smart Script is available on specific iPads. You’ll need an iPad Pro with an M4 chip, a 5th-generation or later 12.9-inch iPad Pro, a 3rd-generation or later 11-inch iPad Pro, an iPad Air with an M2 chip, a 4th-generation or later 10.9-inch iPad Air, a 10th-generation standard iPad, or a 6th-generation iPad mini. There are also limitations based on language.
