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How to add links to your notes in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17

With the latest OS updates, you can insert clickable links into the notes you create with Apple's Notes app.
Written by Lance Whitney, Contributor
Reviewed by Min Shin
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus in yellow
June Wan/ZDNET

Over the years, Apple has spruced up its Notes app to let you add more than just plain old text to a note. You're able to add photos and images, scanned documents, and even drawings via an Apple Pencil. Now, with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, you can add links to a note.

Also: How to use iOS 17's 'Check In' feature, and why your loved ones will be glad you did

The linking feature plays out in a couple of different ways. You can add a link to a webpage within a note. Clicking that link opens Safari with the resulting page. Even cooler, you can add a link to another note. Clicking that link then opens the other note. Inserting links this way lets you connect different but related notes. Here's how the linking works.

How to insert clickable links in your Notes app

1. Update your device

First, make sure you've updated your device to version 17 or higher. Go to Settings, select General, and then tap Software Updates. You'll be told that the OS is up to date or asked to download and install the latest update.

Updating your device

Update your device.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

2. Link to a webpage

Next, create or open a note in the Notes app. Write the text to which you want to add a link and then select it. 

Also: The best new features in iPhone 15, iOS 17, and Apple Watch - and how to use them

Alternatively, tap on any empty area of the note to which you wish to add a link. Swipe through the popup menu and tap the option for Add Link.

Link to a webpage
Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

3. Enter the URL of the webpage

If you know the URL of the webpage that you want to add, just type it in the Link To field at the Add Link screen. Alternatively, open Safari or another browser and browse to the site to which you want to link. Tap in the address field to select the URL. Tap the selected address and tap Copy. Return to your note. Tap in the Link to field and then tap Paste to insert the URL. When finished, tap Done.

Linking to a webpage

Link to a webpage.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

4. Open the linked webpage

The link you added in the note is now underlined and clickable. Click the link or linked text, and Safari will open to the associated webpage.

Opening the linked webpage

Open the linked webpage. 

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

5. Link to another note

To link to another note, first review your notes to find the one to which you want to link. Remember the name of the note. Open the note in which you want to insert the link.

Also: How to use StandBy Mode on iOS 17

Select the text that you want to use for the link or just tap on any empty area. Tap Add Link from the popup menu.

Linking to another note

Link to another note.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

6. Add the name of the note

Start typing the name of the note to which you want to link. The app will display names that match what you're typing. From the list, tap the name of the note to which you want to link. By default, the linked text retains its name. To change its name to the linked note, turn on the switch for Use Note Title as Name. When finished, tap Done.

Adding the name of the note

Add the name of the note.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

7. Open the linked note

Tap the link and you're taken to the associated note.

Opening the linked note

Open the linked note.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

8. Work with a link

To work with a linked item, press down on the link. From the menu, you can open the link, copy the link, or share it with someone else or with another app.

Working with a link

Work with a link. 

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

9. Remove the link

To get rid of the link, select the entire linked text. From the popup menu, tap Remove Link. 

Also: How to better organize text messages on your iPhone, thanks to iOS 17

The link is then removed, though the text itself remains.

Removing the link

Remove the link.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET
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