watchOS 26 added the Notes app to Apple Watch, here’s how I use it

Apple Watch users get a brand new app in watchOS 26, with Apple Notes now available on your wrist. Here’s how I use the app.

Apple Notes in watchOS 26: What it can do and how I use it

Apple Notes is one of my most used apps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, so I was excited about the Apple Watch in watchOS 26.

At its core, the app does two basic things: lets you view existing notes and create new ones.

Naturally, you cannot edit existing notes other than completing checklist items. But this didn’t prove to be a big limitation for me.

When creating notes, you can use dictation, the on-screen keyboard, or, perhaps most easily, you can call up Siri. I suspect the ability to use Siri on Apple Watch for creating notes is a big part of why this new app exists.

My primary use of the Notes app revolves around two things:

1. Create new notes via Siri
2. Reference information when my iPhone is not nearby

For those times when I want to create a new note on the go, Siri is a great option. I like to use Siri on my Apple Watch whenever I’m not wearing an AirPod or am away from a HomePod. Being able to raise your wrist and quickly say “Note to self” to create a note is extremely convenient.

When it comes to referencing notes, the Notes app automatically places all pinned notes at the top, followed by a list of your most recent notes. I have over 2,600 notes in iCloud, including many pinned notes. So having notes pinned first was a potential problem.

Fortunately, Apple has a downward-facing arrow in the upper-right corner of the app that you can tap to collapse the list of pinned notes. This makes it easier to access recently edited notes, which is what I usually want anyway.

In the Watch Settings app ⇾ Notes, you can also choose whether notes are sorted by date edited, date created, or title. Grouping notes by date can also be enabled or disabled.

Overall, I didn’t use watchOS 26’s Notes app as much as I expected. But there were definitely key moments where it was convenient to be able to create or reference a new note right from my wrist.

Have you used the Notes app a lot in watchOS 26? Let us know in the comments.

Best Apple Watch accessories