Don’t fret, though, because we’ve got the perfect solution for you. This guide will teach you how to create and edit folders and subfolders to stay organized and even tell you about an exciting Smart Folder feature in your Notes app. So, read on to find out more.
Create Folders and Subfolders to Stay Organized
Categorizing all your scattered notes into folders and subfolders is the best way to get started. For example, you could create a separate folder for all your recipes and add subfolders of desserts, snacks, and main courses. Here’s how you can create a new folder in your Notes app:
Tap the folder icon in the bottom left of your Notes app. Enter a name for your folder. Press Done at the top-right corner.
To add folders inside another one, follow these steps:
Tap to open the folder you want to add a subfolder in. Press the icon with three horizontal dots in the top right corner. Select Add Folder. Enter a name and press Save.
There’s another way you can add subfolders that you can see here:
Go back to Folders and press Edit in the top right corner of your screen. The icon with three horizontal dots will appear next to the folders you’ve created. Tap on the icon next to the folder you want to add a subfolder to. Select Add Folder from the context menu.
Alternatively, you can just press and hold on to an existing folder and drag it on top of another folder to create a subfolder. If you’re a little confused, take a step back and ensure you know everything you need to get started with the Notes app.
Select How to View and Sort Your Subfolders
Now that you’re done creating your folders, you can view and sort them in several ways. Note that you cannot change views and sort the list of folders in your Notes app but can do so only for a specific folder and the subfolders in it.
We’ll start by looking at the viewing options you have available. Here are the two different views you can see the subfolders and notes inside your main folder:
Tap on a folder to open it. Press the icon with three horizontal dots in the top right corner. Tap on View as Gallery for a gallery view, or View as List in the same place for a list view.
You can also sort your subfolders in the same way. Just tap on the same icon with three dots and tap on Sort By to select from Default (Date Edited), Date Created, Title, Newest First, and Oldest First. Another option you can see here is Group By Date. Tap on it to turn this grouping method On or Off.
How to Rename a Folder in Notes
Renaming a folder is pretty easy and can be done in seconds. There are three ways to get this done, and we’ll quickly list them down for you:
Long-press on a folder. Then tap Rename from the pop-up that appears. This is probably the shortest method to rename your folder. Secondly, you can tap Edit, then press on the icon with the three dots, and select Rename. The last way would be to open your folder or subfolder, tap on the dots icon on the top right, and choose Rename.
How to Delete a Folder in Notes
With all those notes in your Notes app, it’s safe to say some of them can be classified as junk. The best thing you can do is get rid of it to de-clutter and organize, and save some storage while you’re at it.
This is where deleting your folders can come in handy. There are two ways to delete a folder or subfolder in the Notes app.
You can long-press on a folder and tap Delete from the context menu, which is easier. Alternatively, swipe right on the folder you want to delete and select the red bin icon.
Deleted folders will automatically go to your Recently Deleted folder and remain there for 30 days. After that, you will have to recover deleted notes on your iPhone from a backup because they will be deleted permanently.
Move a Folder Wherever You Like
Moving a folder makes it easy to categorize misplaced notes and create a system. Again, there are multiple ways to move a folder or subfolder from one location to another in your Notes app, so we’ll review the quickest and easiest ways to get this done. Here are the various methods to move a folder:
Swipe left on a folder and tap on the purple folder icon. Tap to select your destination from the list. Alternatively, you can long-press on the folder and select Move. Third, you can tap on the icon with horizontal dots and select Move This Folder.
Create and Use Smart Folders for a Smart Experience
Now, this might be something that catches your eye. Never heard of Smart Folders before? We’ve got you covered. In easy terms, a Smart Folder lets you regularly keep all the notes you refer to in one place, so you have easier access to them.
A Smart Folder does this by grouping all your notes according to a certain filter—for example, tags. You can learn more about organizing notes on your iPhone using tags.
To better understand this feature, we’ll teach how to create and use a Smart Folder:
Tap on the folder icon in the bottom left of your Notes app. Enter the name of your folder. Press Make Into Smart Folder right beneath it. You will now see a new pop-up menu with a bunch of filters. Examples include Tags, Checklists, and Attachments. You can select any or all of the filters according to your preference. For example, if you tap Edited in the list and select Last 30 Days, the Smart Folder will automatically include notes you edited in the last 30 days. Press Done at the top-right corner to finish creating the Smart Folder.
To convert an existing folder into a Smart Folder, follow these steps:
Tap the folder to open it. Select the icon with three horizontal dots. Choose Convert to Smart Folder from the context menu.
Declutter Your Notes App With Folders
The Notes app on iPhone allows you to categorize all your notes however you want them to. You can easily create folders, move them wherever you want, view and sort them in multiple ways, and even create Smart Folders to do all the organizing for you.
It may seem like a simple app to you, but the Notes app is a gold mine of interesting features. Along with creating folders, you can even lock your notes and create checklists and deep links.
