The Notes app is a great note-taking app that syncs across your Apple Devices. And one of its standout features is that you can use it with various account types aside from iCloud, like Google or Outlook.
You can add accounts to the Notes app and just as easily, you can remove them. Plus, you can temporarily deactivate an account from the Notes app and then reactivate it later if you like.
This tutorial shows you how to add, deactivate, and delete accounts in Notes on Mac and iOS.
Manage your Notes accounts
Add an account to Notes on Mac
To add an account to Notes that you have not set up yet on your Mac (System Preferences > Internet Accounts), follow these steps.
1) Open Notes and click Notes > Accounts.
2) Select your account type on the right (or choose Add Other Account if yours isn’t listed) and follow the prompts to sign in, verify, and add the account.
3) When asked, mark the checkbox for Notes along with any others you’d like to use the account for like Mail or Calendar.
Now when you head back to the Notes app, you should see your new account in the left-hand sidebar. If the sidebar doesn’t display, click the Show Folders button in the toolbar.
Deactivate an account in Notes
If you’d like to stop using Notes for one of your accounts, but don’t want to delete the account, this is easy.
This is the ideal solution if you still want to use that account for other apps like Mail and Calendar or think you may want to use it for Notes again down the road.
1) Open Notes and click Notes > Accounts.
2) Select your account from the list on the left.
3) Uncheck the box for Notes in the available apps.
Your account should no longer appear in the Notes sidebar.
While your notes for that account no longer display in the app, they are still available if you reactivate the account.
To reactivate an account in Notes, follow the same steps as above and check the box for Notes once again.
Remove an account from Notes
If you have an account that you no longer use, you can remove it completely along with its saved notes from the Notes app.
* Just be aware that this will remove that account completely from your Mac and from any other apps you checked for it when you set it up, like Mail or Calendar. *
1) Open Notes and click Notes > Accounts.
2) Select your account from the list on the left.
3) Click the minus sign button at the bottom of the list.
4) Confirm that you want to remove the account by clicking OK.
Add an account to Notes on iPhone and iPad
To add an account to Notes that you have not set up yet on your iOS device, follow these steps.
1) Open Settings and select Password & Accounts.
2) Scroll to the bottom and tap Add Account.
3) Select your account type (or choose Other if yours isn’t listed) and follow the prompts to sign in, verify, and add the account.
4) When asked, enable the toggle for Notes along with any others you’d like to use the account for like Mail or Calendar and tap Save.
Deactivate an account in Notes
You can deactivate an account in Notes on iOS just as easy as on Mac; however, your notes for that account will be removed from your device.
1) Open Settings and select Password & Accounts.
2) Select the account and turn off the toggle for Notes.
3) You’ll be asked to confirm this action because notes for the account will be deleted. If you’re sure, tap Delete from my iPhone (iPad).
Remove an account from Notes
If you have an account that you no longer use, you can remove it completely along with its saved notes from the Notes app.
* Just be aware that this will remove that account completely from your device and from any other apps you enabled for it when you set it up, like Mail or Calendar. *
1) Open Settings and select Password & Accounts.
2) Select the account and tap Delete Account.
3) You’ll be asked to confirm this action so if you’re sure, tap Delete from my iPhone (iPad).
Wrapping it up
Adding the accounts that you want to use in the Notes app couldn’t be easier. And if you want to temporarily deactivate one or need to delete one completely, the steps are just as simple.
Do you use several accounts in the Notes app or do you prefer to just keep it to a minimum? Let us know your thoughts below or on Twitter!
And for more help with Notes, take a look at how to view attachments for your notes or turn notes into reminders.