The One Security Hack iPhone Users Should Know

Many of us use our iPhone Notes for storing sensitive personal information — the app is great for anything from keeping a daily diary, to saving bank account routing numbers, to jotting down half-baked jokes for a stand-up routine (you know, if you were ever to finally try stand-up). With the latest update, Apple has added an extra security feature for this important app, and it is easy to learn how to lock notes on your iPhone. You can feel a little more safe storing medical and financial data or even website logins now by locking an individual note with a fingerprint or password. I highly suggest doing it — ‘cause if anyone gets past the initial iPhone lock and reads those rough jokes about airplane food, it would be mortifying.

The note locking feature isn’t the only improvement Apple has made to your device with the iOS 9.3 update. In addition, they have updated CarPlay, streamlined the health apps and display of data, and offer curated and personalized news every morning. There is also a nighttime mode called Night Shift, which will automatically switch your display colors to warmer tones at sunset in order to promote restfulness. With the added security update, you can rest easy keeping your dream diary in your Notes without fear that prying eyes will uncover that you were visited by Steve Buscemi wearing a loin cloth and riding a rainbow unicorn two nights in a row. Yes, it all seems magical and great, but first you have to know how to use it — so let's walk through step-by-step how to lock your notes.

Step 1

On your home screen, select the Notes app.

Step 2

Click on the notes that you have saved on your iPhone. You cannot lock the notes that you have saved under Gmail.

Step 3

Once you select the individual Note that you would like to make private, click on the share symbol in the upper-righthand corner.

Step 4

Select the Lock Note icon, the padlock in the bottom row.

Step 5

Choose a password and set a hint. If you enter the wrong password three times when trying to access the Note, you will be prompted by the hint (so it's good to have).

The only potential hazard of this extra security measure is that if you forget your password, you will not be able to enter or retrieve the locked note. When you create the password for the note on your iPhone, all other devices under that same iCloud account will use the password. If you choose to enable Touch ID you can also retrieve the note that way, so it is a good fall back.

You can also go to settings on your phone and set the password through there. When you go to lock individual notes in the future, they will be placed under the same password.

Happy note-taking!

Images: Pixabay, Lily Feinn/Bustle