Hands-On Apple 212: iPad's Quick Notes — Time-Saver or Annoying Distraction?

Host: Micah Sargent
Date: December 18, 2025

Overview

This episode of Hands-On Apple dives into the Quick Notes feature on iPadOS—a tool that allows users to swiftly jot down notes by swiping up from the corners of their iPad screen. Host Micah Sargent explores how the feature works, the gestures involved, and the customization options available. He addresses common frustrations, demonstrates practical uses, and offers solutions for those who find Quick Notes more annoying than helpful.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What is Quick Notes and How Does it Work?

• Quick Notes is an iPadOS feature activated by swiping from the bottom right corner of the iPad screen.
• Designed for fast note-taking during multitasking—such as while browsing, researching, or looking at photos.
• Accessible via hand, finger, or Apple Pencil (not Apple Pencil-exclusive).

Notable interface elements (01:25):

• Markup icon (bottom right): Allows handwriting with finger or Apple Pencil.
• Done button (top left): Finalizes and saves the current note.
• Four squares (top right): Opens multiple notes.
• Three dots ("...") (top right): Share, delete, or add a screenshot to the note.
• New Quick Note icon (top right): Create an additional quick note.

“The way that Quick Notes is supposed to work is you are doing something else... and you can then quickly pop up your quick notes.”
—Micah Sargent (02:10)

Organizing Quick Notes

• Quick Notes are automatically organized into a separate folder in the Notes app, distinct from standard iCloud notes (04:16).
• Identified by a unique icon with a "scribble".

Use Case Example (03:43):

• While reading about the Rocky Mountains, users can jot a fact and later return to the same or create new Quick Notes.

Adding Visuals: Screenshots in Quick Notes

• Users can add screenshots directly to their notes with the three-dots menu (03:23).
• Quick Notes can be annotated immediately after capturing the screenshot.

Customizing or Disabling the Feature

• Frustrated users can disable or customize the swipe gesture:
  1. Open Settings app (05:14).
  2. Navigate to Multitasking and Gestures.
  3. Find Swipe Finger from Corner option at the bottom.
• The bottom left and right corners can each be set to:
  • Do nothing
  • Open Quick Notes
  • Take a screenshot

“If you’re not a big fan... it’s very easy to turn this off.”
—Micah Sargent (05:52)

Practical Customization Examples

• Double screenshot shortcut: Both corners set to take screenshots for enhanced productivity.
• Works system-wide (any app, not only on home screen).

“Wherever you are, anytime you want to take a screenshot, bottom right hand corner and it’s good to go.”
—Micah Sargent (08:08)

Addressing Annoyance Factor

• Confusion often arises with accidental activation when swiping around.
• Quick solution: turn off or customize the gesture (07:30).

“If you or someone you know has complained, ‘I’m swiping around and for some reason it keeps bringing up this stupid note...’—well, that is what is making that happen. It’s the Quick Notes feature for iPadOS.”
—Micah Sargent (09:01)

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• [01:54] Micah: “First and foremost, the question that I was seeing was: why is it, when I’m swiping around on my iPad, sometimes a note will pop up?”
• [04:16] Micah: “Something to understand is that with Quick Notes, these notes show up in a different section...categorized in that special folder.”
• [06:14] Micah: “Here’s the cool thing: It’s not just a Quick Notes feature. You can actually set it to bring up screenshots.”
• [08:08] Micah: “This works in whatever app you happen to be in... anytime you want to take a screenshot, bottom right hand corner and it’s good to go.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:22 — Introduction to Quick Notes and iPadOS gestures
• 01:25 — Walkthrough of Quick Notes interface
• 03:23 — Demonstrating screenshots and note annotation
• 04:16 — Explaining Quick Notes organization in the Notes app
• 05:14 — Instructions on disabling or changing gestures in Settings
• 06:14 — Customizing gesture actions for screenshots or notes
• 08:08 — System-wide functionality of corner gestures
• 09:01 — Summing up the annoyance factor and troubleshooting tips

Episode Tone

Micah Sargent’s delivery is friendly, explanatory, and empathetic, reflecting common user frustrations while providing clear, practical advice for both power users and beginners. The episode is hands-on, straightforward, and punctuated by light humor and encouragement to make the iPad work best for the user’s own style.

In summary:
This episode offers a comprehensive look at Quick Notes on iPadOS, demystifying its features, resolving common annoyances, and showing how to tailor corner gestures to personal workflow preferences. It’s a must-listen for anyone perplexed or irritated by surprise note popups, or looking to harness the iPad’s note-taking shortcuts more efficiently.