Hidden Folder vs Locked Notes on Mac
Locked notes protect a note with your login password or a custom password. Apple says a locked note can hold tables, images, drawings, scanned documents, maps and web attachments. Apple says a note with a video, audio file, PDF or document attached cannot be locked. Hidden Folder is planned for files of any kind, and it is not released.
Built for notes, with a list of things it cannot lock. Not a file vault.
Verdict. Locked notes work for the content types Apple lists as lockable. Apple says a note with a PDF, video, audio file or document attached cannot be locked. A file vault is planned to cover those files.
Pick Locked notes in Notes if
- You are protecting text or the attachment types Apple lists.
- You want it built into an app you already use.
Pick Hidden Folder if
- You need to protect PDFs, videos or documents.
- You want hidden vaults and a recovery phrase.
| Feature | Hidden Folder | Locked notes in Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Native Mac app | ✓native macOS app, planned. Needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later | ✓part of the Notes app on Mac, per Apple |
| Encrypts file contents | ✓AES-256-GCM, planned. Not yet audited | –the Lock Notes page does not mention encryption or a cipher |
| Encrypts file names | ✓planned. Files get random names on disk, and metadata is encrypted | –not described on Apple's Lock Notes page |
| Works without an account | ✓planned. No account | ◐a note in an iCloud account that has not been upgraded cannot be locked. Apple says an iCloud account needs two-factor authentication and iCloud Keychain to use your login password for locked notes |
| Source code is open | ◐planned as open source (GPL-3.0). The source is not public yet | –not stated on Apple's Lock Notes page |
| Pattern unlock | ✓planned. 5×5 pattern | ✕login password or custom password, plus optional Touch ID, per Apple |
| Several hidden vaults, no list | ✓planned. Each pattern opens its own vault, with no vault list | –not described on Apple's Lock Notes page |
| Duress mode | ◐planned for v1.1, paid plan | –not described on Apple's Lock Notes page |
| Encrypted cloud backup | ◐encrypted iCloud backup, planned for v1.0 | –not described on Apple's Lock Notes page |
| Analytics off by default | ✓planned. Off by default, opt-in | –not applicable |
| Free to use | ◐a free tier and a paid plan are planned. Prices not final | ✓part of the Notes app on Mac. Apple's page lists no separate price |
Hidden Folder describes planned behaviour from its public spec. The app is not released. Facts about Locked notes in Notes were checked on Oct 30, 2026 against its own page. Not affiliated with Locked notes in Notes. Marks: yes, no, partly, not stated.
What Apple lists as not lockable
- A Quick Note.
- A note you have shared with others.
- A note that has a video, audio file, PDF or document attached.
- A note that contains tags.
- A note stored in an iCloud account that has not been upgraded.
Apple says only tables, images, drawings, scanned documents, maps and web attachments can be included in a locked note.
If you forget the password
Apple states that if you forget your custom password and cannot unlock your notes with Touch ID, you cannot view your locked notes, and Apple cannot help you regain access to them.
Frequently asked questions
How do I lock a note on Mac?
Per Apple: click the More button next to the search field, choose Lock Note, then enter the password. If you have not set a password yet, you are prompted to do so.
Can I lock a PDF inside a note?
Not if the note has a PDF attached, per Apple. Keep the PDF in a separate protected place, such as a vault.
Can Apple recover my locked notes password?
Apple says it cannot help you regain access if you forget a custom password and cannot use Touch ID.
References
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