iOS Update Issue: iPhone Notes Disappeared after Update

“Why have my notes disappeared from my iPhone?”

Some users frequently use Notes App to take down their thoughts, to-do lists, some even their accounts, and passwords. Not difficult to imagine how terrible it will be if those notes are gone.

After I updated my software to ISO 14.4 on my iPhone, my notes all disappeared. I reinstalled the app of note, then turn on note sync via iCloud, but it still didn't work.

- Question from Apple Community

I have lost about 30 notes after a recent iOS update. Everything was neatly sorted into headings - minus my notes. Does anyone have any ideas please how I can find my missing notes??

- Question from Apple Developer

iPhone notes missing seems to happen a lot after the iOS update, e.g., iOS 15 update or iOS 16 update. Complaints about iPhone notes disappeared after update are not rare to see.

Users may wonder: Why did my notes disappear after update? Well, several factors are to blame for this iOS update issue.

• You accidentally disabled iCloud Sync for notes.
• You signed into the wrong iCloud account.
• Something wrong with the iOS software.

According to but not limited to the factors above, several fixes are available in the next section. Check them out now.

How to restore notes on iPhone after update to iOS 15/16?

Before going to the real fixes, we’d better go through some quick fixes that could be helpful for your situation.

Beforehand job when iPhone notes are missing

Some quick fixes are given below. They are quite easy to carry out with a relatively low success rate, but still worth trying to fix iPhone notes disappeared after update.

Easy fix 1. Check your iCloud Sync options.

Pay attention to your iCloud settings first. Go to “Settings” > “Apple ID” > “iCloud” > “APPS USING ICLOUD” to see if you have carelessly disabled Notes sync via iCloud.

If you have disabled it, all the notes will be removed from your iPhone.

Easy fix 2. Restart iPhone.

Like restarting your computer, sometimes it could refresh your device, and give it a second chance to sync. Trying to restart your iPhone may help fix the iCloud sync problem or a software/app crush.

To restart your iPhone, tap and hold the Assistive Touch > Tap “Restart”. Or you could press and hold the Side button > slide to the right to turn it off; then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple Logo.

Easy fix 3. Check for your mail settings.

Please go to “Settings” > “Mail” to see whether you have enabled “Notes”. If you have enabled notes kept with your Email account or a third-party service, it could be “disappeared” from you when the account is not switched to the right one.

Then return to the Notes App to see whether your notes have reappeared.

Easy fix 4. Check for your Apple ID.

If you found iPhone notes missing, make sure you have signed in to the right iCloud account that contains your needed notes.

If all these quick tricks don’t work, you may need to follow the two methods in the next part.

Method 1. Recover notes on iPhone from backup

How to restore notes on iPhone after update? Firstly, if you are equipped with a backup. You can fix the problem iPhone notes disappeared after update.

How to check if you have an available backup to restore from? You are supposed to have enabled “Notes” in “APPS USING ICLOUD”, and enabled “iCloud Backup” as well.

Now follow the steps here to recover lost notes on iPhones.

★Tips: 

Erasing your iPhone will lead to data loss, please create a backup (use iTunes or other software) before wiping your iPhone.

If restoring from iCloud backup not working, please get help.

Step 1. Erase your iPhone. Go to “General” > “Reset” > “Erase All Content and Settings”. Input your passcode to confirm.

Step 2. Restore from an iCloud backup. After restarting, setting up your iPhone, and connecting WiFi, you will come to “Apps & Data”. Here, choose “Restore from iCloud Backup”. Sign in and select the latest backup.

Step 3. To avoid iCloud sync removing your notes, make sure to switch to airplane mode as quickly as possible when the Notes App gets downloaded.

Step 4. Then change the place to store notes. Go to “Settings” > “Notes” > enable “On My iPhone” Account > “Default Account” > choose “On My iPhone”.

Step 5. Then Move all your notes from iCloud to your iPhone by copying or moving. Go to “Notes” > Select Notes > Move All > move your recovered notes to folders under “ON MY IPHONE”.

Method 2. Restore notes on iPhone without backup

The first method is too complex and hard to follow? Is there any easy way to restore lost notes from iPhone after update? Luckily, YES.

When finding iPhone notes missing, seeking help from a third-party tool is a better choice. Here MyRecover for iOS will be recommended. With this tool, all you need to do is a few effortless clicks.

• Recover deleted notes, voice memos, photos, videos, contacts, WeChat histories, etc.
• Scan, select, and recover iPhone data in 3 simple steps.
• Available for iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, and iOS 15/16.
• Support iPhone 14/13/12/X, etc.
• Preview before recovery.

★Tips: 

Tap “Trust” on your iPhone to trust your computer. 

Please keep the connection between your iOS device and the PC.

Step 1. Install MyRecover for iOS > connect iPhone to Windows.

Step 2. Click “Scan Now”.

Step 3. Go to “Notes” > select the detected notes you need > click “Recover”.

Not only save you from the problem: iPhone notes disappeared after update, but it can also work well if you permanently delete notes on iPhones.

Bonus tips: avoid data loss risk

Several fixes for iPhone notes disappeared after update are covered in this post. If these easy quick fixes cannot work well, please try to recover notes from iCloud backup, or turn to trusty iPhone data recovery software: MyRecover for iOS.

Not only important notes but also other types of vital data should be protected from missing/losing/deleting.

To avoid data loss risk in the future, we sincerely suggest you back up your data on a regular basis. Furthermore, just 1 backup is not enough for you to rest easy – It is more sagacious for you to back up your data in different ways and places.

Here we recommend you try FoneTool, a good iPhone data backup tool. Using this software, you could flexibly choose types of data to back up as you wish.

“Custom Backup”, “Photos Backup”, and “Full Backup” could satisfy your needs.