Apple Notes app slows down, freezes, and crashes for some after iOS 18 update

If you’ve recently updated to iOS 18, there’s a good chance you’ve found yourself wrestling with your iPhone’s Notes app. Yes, the simple, reliable app that many of us have come to depend on is now acting like a rebellious teenager, freezing, crashing, and generally refusing to cooperate. For iPhone and iPad users alike, the latest iOS 18 update has turned what used to be a smooth note-taking experience into a frustrating mess.

Since the rollout of iOS 18, users have been airing their grievances about the once-stable Notes app that’s suddenly become more of a hassle than a help. From the iPhone 15 Pro to the iPhone 11 Pro, the story is the same: the app slows down, freezes, and, in many cases, completely crashes, leaving users staring helplessly at their Home Screen.

Some users have reported that typing has become painfully slow, while others can’t even open their notes without the app seizing up. A few lucky souls found that smaller, locked notes seem to work, but anything beyond that might as well be a ticking time bomb. It’s not just an inconvenience — when your go-to app for jotting down thoughts, journaling, or keeping track of daily tasks starts acting up, it feels like a part of your routine has been ripped away.

Potential workarounds, but no real fix

Some users have tried turning their devices off and on, toggling iCloud sync, or even reinstalling the app — all to no avail. Others reported partial success by creating new notes, as these seemed to work better than the old ones, but who has time to rewrite everything from scratch?

The frustrations have led some to temporarily switch to other popular apps like Google Keep and Microsoft OneNote or even resort to the good old-fashioned method of emailing themselves important notes as a backup. One determined user managed to pry open a stubbornly unresponsive note by turning off mobile data and leaving the app to its own devices for about 20 minutes — a fix that feels more like luck than a reliable solution.

New iOS versions are exciting, but they often come with a few bumps in the road — just ask any early adopter. Major updates like iOS 18 bring a slew of new features and changes under the hood, and sometimes, even the most basic apps can get caught in the crossfire.

This isn’t the first time an update has caused chaos, and it won’t be the last. Apple is no stranger to these growing pains, and the company typically rolls out fixes in subsequent updates. So, while your Notes app might be acting up now, it’s likely just a matter of time before things stabilize.