Ever since I got my first smartphone (and I’m sorry to disappoint some of you, but it wasn’t an iPhone) I’ve always used the Notes app by default. At first, I didn’t care about design, syncing, or other features. In recent years, I’ve had no choice but to looking for an app that fits me and not meThis is exactly what happened to me with many options.
And after trying all kinds of apps, there are two that convinced me. One of them is “Notion”, which I continue to be surprised every day by its potential. The other is Apple’s native application, “Notes”. It is precisely the latter who, at least for personal notes, has managed to adapt the most to me.
Notion, the big contender has two big buts on the iPhone
Notion has been booming for the past two or three years now because of its great potential. Cross-databases, simple notes, organization by tables or galleries, charts, diagrams. They even added a calendar recently. It’s a great all-rounder, but not for iPhone. Let me explain.
Yes, there is a Notion app for iPhone, but at least in my opinion, I don’t consider it useful. It’s not that it’s a complex tool either, and even less so when you get used to using it, but it is very tedious to operate on a touch surface. Therefore, even for a small word, it was uncomfortable for me.
Although its big drawback is that It doesn’t even let you see the notes offlinesomething that a priori is not a drama when I use it on Mac, since in the end I always work with it at home or elsewhere with an Internet connection. It is my application (in capital letters) to work with, but personally, it creates inconveniences for me.
And the fact is that my personal notes are mostly given for reference purposes only. Data like my social security number to others related to my home (like CUPS for electricity) and others similar. These are data that I don’t need to see every day, but Thinking that I might need it in an emergency and not being able to access it frustrates me.. In fact, I already experienced something like this when one summer, in the middle of a mountain town with no coverage, I needed one of these data and I couldn’t access it.
Apple Notes is simple, yet extremely useful
First, the native iPhone Notes app already allows you to view them offline. Obviously, if I don’t have a connection, the changes won’t sync to the other devices, although they will when everyone gets their Internet connection back. Right from the start, I win.
On the other hand, It is very easy to use and it is the one that syncs the fastest with other devices. I’ve tried other options powered by generative AI etc, but it’s not that I don’t like them, it’s just that I don’t need them as much. Apple offers what I’m looking for, which is a user-friendly and hassle-free interface, because sometimes it errs on the side of adding features that later, in cases like mine, are not useful.
Although it is not the most complete, its simplicity is enough for me.
In my personal case, as I said before, 99% of my notes are related to fixed data that I may need to consult. Yes, I write quick notes and it is also convenient for that, since I have even generated a shortcut for it, although once in front of the Mac I move it to Notion, since all these quick notes are for work and there I already noticed that yes I use Notion (although on Mac).
Likewise, I want to point out that while perhaps not the most complete notes application, Apple’s adds more and more features for whoever needs it. From document scanning that arrived a few versions ago to new fonts, to a calculator that will arrive with iOS 18. And of course, freehand notes, my favorite and the one I finally resort to.
Android, its big (and almost only) weak point
There was a time when I accessed Apple’s “Notes” from Android, but it was too tedious.
Logically, “Notes” is far from perfect and for years it was not my preferred choice because I combined my use of the iPhone with that of Android phones. It is not in vain that it was essential for my work at Xataka Android and Xataka Móvil, although since I am one hundred percent at Applesfera, for obvious reasons, I need it less.
And that’s it The option to access notes on Android is extremely tedious. It’s not an app as such, but it can be accessed via the iCloud website. It’s useful once or twice, as it allows you to view the notes, but the third time it’s very tiring, as it doesn’t allow you to edit them and I often logged out of my Apple account and had to log back in.
In any case, at this point in my life, I have had enough and more than enough with this application. As curious as I am, I like to return to Android whenever I can. I even continue to do some analysis for Xataka, even if it is not usual in my daily life. So I benefit from the simplicity and speed of an application like Apple’s. And I don’t need more.
Cover image | Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
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