The built-in Notes app in macOS Sierra is fairly basic. But for me it’s enough. It’s easy to add information into it using extensions and there are enough formatting options to keep me going. With the latest OS updates for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra, Notes has picked up a new trick – shared notes.
It’s a very basic implementation of collaborative notes. To users can’t work on the same note and track progress at the same time. There’s no version history or comment support. It’s no Google Docs, basically. But for sharing basic things like grocery list with your significant other, it’s going to be pretty useful.
Here’s how you can share any note with a friend and collaborate on it, simultaneously.
How To Share a Note
Open the Notes app and find the note in questions.
Now click the “Collaborate” button highlighted in the screenshots below.
You’ll now see a pop with options for ways to share the note. Our recommendation is you just pick “Copy Link” and share the link in the IM app of your choice. Next best option will be the Messages app.
If you use the Messages option, a popup asking you to type in the contact’s name will come up.
If you choose Mail, you’ll be taken to your default mail client for sending the message.
Managing Shared Notes
You can click the same “Collaborate” button to see details for the current shared note. You can see the status of the people you invited and whether they have joined. You can also remove people from here or quickly copy the link.
Big Caveat: Can’t Lock Shared Notes
Currently, you can’t lock an note that’s shared.
iOS 10 and macOS Sierra Sync
No matter where you share the note from or where you make the last edit, it will be synced between both OS.
Read more: How to share notes in iOS 10
How Do You Use Notes App?
I use the Notes app for everything from my movies list, to ideas for my next projects. What all do you use the Notes app for? Share with us in the comments below.
