Apple’s Reminders and Notes apps are designed to make your life easier, but if you’re like most people, you’ve probably encountered a few icons and symbols that are difficult to understand. This guide will help you break down every icon and symbol you’ll see in these apps.
Table of Contents
Apple Notes Folders Icons and Symbols Meaning
Let’s start with the folder section, which is located at the top of the screen. Here’s what the icons mean:
Folder icons with numbers: These icons represent the number of notes inside that folder. a
Down arrow icon: This icon collapses the folder list. When the folder list is collapsed, only the folder icons are visible.
Create New folder icon (folder with a plus sign): This icon is used to create a new folder. Tapping it will open a dialog box where you can name the new folder.
New note icon (pencil inside a square): This icon is used to create a new note. Tapping it will open a new note editor.
Notes Section Screen Icons Meaning
When you tap into the main “Notes” section, you’ll see a few key icons. Here’s what they mean:
Menu (Three Dots in Circle) Icon: This icon opens up a menu with a variety of options. Tapping it reveals choices such as “View as Gallery,” which changes the layout of your notes; “Select Notes,” allowing you to select multiple notes for actions like deletion or moving; “Sort By,” letting you organize your notes by date or title; “Group by Date,” which groups your notes into time-based sections; and “View Attachments,” which shows you all the attachments across your notes.
Voice Search (Microphone) Icon: This icon allows you to use your voice to search for specific notes. Just tap the microphone and speak your query, and the Notes app will find matching results. This is super handy when you want to quickly find a note without typing.
Back (Left Arrow) Icon: Tapping this icon will take you back to the previous screen, which is the Folders section. So, if you want to navigate back to your folders, just tap this arrow.
Writing Note Screen Icons Meaning
When you’re actively writing or editing a note, you’ll see a set of icons at the top and bottom of the screen. Here’s what they mean:
Share (Up Arrow in Square) Icon: Tapping this icon will open the standard iOS share sheet which will allow you to send the note to other apps, copy it, save it, or share it with contacts.
Checklist (Circle with Lines) Icon: This icon lets you create a checklist within the note. Tapping it inserts a checklist item, and you can then type in your task. Once you’ve completed a task, you can tap the circle to mark it as done.
Attach (Paperclip) Icon: The paperclip icon is your “Attach” button. Tapping it opens a menu with various attachment options. You can attach files, record audio, use Image Playground, insert photos or videos, scan documents, or scan text directly into your note.
Drawing (Pencil) Icon: This icon opens up the drawing tools. Tapping it will bring up a palette of drawing tools, including a pencil, sketch pen, eraser, and more. This allows you to add hand-drawn sketches, diagrams, or annotations to your notes.
Writing Tools (DNA in Circle) Icon: This icon resembles a DNA strand within a circle gives you access to writing tools powered by Apple Intelligence. Tapping it will provide options like “Proofread,” to check your writing for errors; “Rewrite,” to rephrase your text; “Compose,” to generate text based on your prompts; and other advanced writing features.
Undo/Redo (Curved Arrow Inside Circle) Icons: You’ll see two circular icons with curved arrows. The left-pointing arrow is your “Undo” button, and the right-pointing arrow is your “Redo” button. Tapping the “Undo” button will revert the last action you took while tapping the “Redo” button will reapply the action you just undid.
Create Table (Square Boxes in Square) Icon: This icon allows you to create a table within your note. Tapping it will insert a table into your note, and you can then add rows and columns, enter data, and format the table as needed.
Text Format (Aa) Icon: This icon opens the text formatting menu. Tapping it will reveal a range of text formatting options, including font styles, sizes, bold, italics, underline, alignment, and more. This allows you to customize the appearance of your text within the note.
Format Section Icons Meaning
When you tap the “Aa” icon to open the text formatting menu, you’ll see a set of icons that allow you to customize the appearance of your text. Here’s what they mean:
Bold (B) Icon: This icon applies bold formatting to the selected text. Tapping it will make the text appear thicker and darker.
Italic (I) Icon: This icon applies italic formatting to the selected text. Tapping it will make the text appear slanted.
Underline (U) Icon: This icon applies to underline formatting to the selected text. Tapping it will add a line underneath the text.
Strikethrough (S) Icon: This icon applies strikethrough formatting to the selected text. Tapping it will add a line through the text.
Add Color (Pencil) Icon: This icon allows you to change the color of the selected text. Tapping it will open a color picker, allowing you to choose a color.
Color Palette Icon: This icon shows the currently selected text color. Tapping it will also open the color picker.
Close (X) Icon: Tapping it will close the formatting menu and return you to the note editing view.
Bullet (Three Lines with Dot) Icon: This icon creates a bulleted list. Tapping it will insert a bullet point at the beginning of the line.
Dash Bullet (Three Lines with Dash) Icon: This icon creates a dash bulleted list. Tapping it will insert a dash bullet point at the beginning of the line.
Number Bullet (Three Lines with Numbers) Icon: This icon creates a numbered list. Tapping it will insert a number at the beginning of the line.
Move Left (Lines with Left Arrow) Icon: Tapping this icon will move the text further to the left.
Move Right (Lines with Right Arrow) Icon: Tapping this icon increases the indentation of the selected text. Tapping it will move the text further to the right.
Quote Text (Square Box with Line) Icon: This icon formats the selected text as a quote. Tapping it will visually set the text apart as a quote.
Reminder App Home Screen Icons Meaning
Let’s start with the home screen of the Reminders app. Here’s a breakdown of the key icons you’ll find there:
Menu (Three Dots in Circle) Icon: This icon opens up a menu with a variety of options. Tapping it will reveal choices such as “Edit Lists and Templates.”
Voice Search (Microphone) Icon: Tapping this icon allows you to use your voice to search for specific notes. Tap the microphone and speak your query, and the Notes app will find matching results.
Numbers Icons: You’ll see several numbers displayed on the home screen, each representing the total number of reminders in a specific category. For example, the number under “Today” shows how many reminders are due today, the number under “Scheduled” shows how many reminders are scheduled for future dates, and so on.
Right Arrow Icons: Next to each number, you’ll find a right-pointing arrow. Tapping on one of these arrows will take you to the corresponding view. For example, tapping the arrow next to “Today” will bring you to a list of all your reminders due today.
Keyboard Visible Icons Meaning
You will see these icons when you’re viewing a specific list or adding a new reminder, and have the keyboard active to edit a reminder. You’ll see a set of icons at the top and above the keyboard. Here’s what they mean:
Back (Left Arrow) Icon: This is your “Back” button. Tapping it will take you back to the previous screen, which is the main Reminders app home screen with all your lists.
Unchecked Circle Icon: This circle is your “Mark as Complete” button. Tapping it will mark the reminder as completed, and it will be moved to the “Completed” section of your list.
Details (“i”) Icon: This is your “Details” button. Tapping it will open a details menu, providing options like setting the date, time, early reminder settings, priority, and adding notes.
Date & Time (Calendar with Clock) Icon: This icon allows you to change the date and time for your reminder.
Location (Triangle) Icon: This icon allows you to set a location-based reminder, so you’ll be reminded when you arrive at or leave a specific place.
Add Tag (Hashtag) Icon: This icon allows you to add tags to your reminder, making it easier to categorize and search for your reminders.
Flag Icon: Tapping this icon allows you to flag the reminder, highlighting it as important.
Camera Icon: Tapping this icon allows you to take a photo, choose an image from your photos, or scan a document or text.
New List Icons Meaning
When you create a new list in the Reminders app, you have the option to customize its appearance with a variety of icons and colors. Here’s a breakdown of the icons involved in this process:
Up and Down Arrow Icon: This icon opens a menu where you can select a list type. The available options are “Default List,” “Grocery List,” and “Shopping List.”
Color Palette Icons: This section displays a variety of color palettes. Tapping on it allows you to select a color for your new list icon. You can choose from a range of colors to personalize your lists.
Icons Section: This section displays a variety of icons that you can choose from for your new list.
And there you have it! We’ve got more icon guides for other apps too. Check them out below!
Working as a Tech Writer at Tech Wiser, I’m passionate about technology since childhood. I enjoy discussing it with friends, exploring new techs, and analyzing features in Android, iOS, and other technologies. My goal is to simplify complex information about current and emerging technologies, making them more accessible and understandable to people interested in learning more.
