Your iPhone Notes app has a secret messaging feature — here's how to use it

What you need to know about Notes messaging

The Notes app lets you share notes with other people so you can both edit the same document. This feature works perfectly for messaging because you can type back and forth in real-time.

Messages appear instantly without typical text notifications, and the whole thing looks like you're just working on a shared document. Both people need Apple devices for this to work.

1. Create a new note

Open your Notes app and tap the compose button to make a new note. Type something quick in the note (even just "hi") so it doesn't get automatically deleted when you leave.

This will be your secret chat room, so you can leave the title blank or give it a boring name that won't attract attention.

2. Set up sharing

Tap the share icon in the top-right corner, then tap "Collaborate".

3. Add your messaging partner

Next, tap the contact you want to share the note with.

4. Forward the Note so they can access

Then tap the blue arrow to send.

4. Start messaging in real-time

Once your friend opens the link and accepts the invitation, you can start typing messages right in the note.

Everything shows up instantly without hitting send — just type and they'll see it immediately. Each person's messages briefly show up in different colors so you know who wrote what.

You can also swipe right on any message to see who wrote it and when.

5. Keeping messages private

When you're done with your secret chat, you can remove your friend from the note by tapping the collaborators icon in the top right corner, then "Manage Shared Note".

From here you can choose "Stop Sharing" to delete the whole thing from both phones, erasing all evidence of your private conversation.