Our phones have made it simpler than ever to stay connected, but keeping discussions really private is a lot tougher than it used to be. Whether you’re discussing something personal or arranging a surprise, there’s always the danger that someone could peek at your device. The good news is that maintaining discretion doesn’t require a sophisticated software.

Without installing anything, you may use the Notes app that comes with your iPhone as a private chat platform. Sometimes the most basic tools are right in front of you, but apps like Signal and WhatsApp are excellent for anonymity (until you invite the incorrect person to your group chat).

An iOS hidden weapon for private chats is the built-in Notes app. Discovering ways to utilize a software beyond its original purpose is always entertaining. All the components are in place to make this a straightforward method of having private discussions with someone, but it almost feels like you’re using it in a deceptive manner that you shouldn’t be. Below, we’ll explain everything to you.

See the new features in iOS 17.5 and how to quickly examine and copy Wi-Fi passwords on your iPhone or iPad for further iOS advice.

Use the Notes app to create a note.

To make a new note on your iPhone, open the Notes app and press the compose button in the lower right corner.

After that, you may enter anything you want to preserve in the note; otherwise, it will be immediately erased when you close it. Although it’s preferable to start again with a new note, you may also simply enter an existing one.

Start by writing a new note or entering an existing one.

To add collaborators, change the sharing options in your note.
You may start the process of adding someone as a collaborator after your note is complete and ready to go. This allows them to read and amend any content in the note. To begin, select Share Note after tapping the More icon in the upper right corner.

Make sure the Can make changes option is ticked under Permission by tapping Share Options now. If you wish to be the only person who can add collaborators to your note, you should also turn off the “Anyone can add people” option. Once you have completed customizing these options, return to the previous page.

Second, control the abilities of your partners.
Share the link and invite others.
Next, decide how to distribute the note: It may be shared by social media, email, text message, and more. You may also choose Copy Link by swiping through the sharing choices. It enables you to paste the note link anywhere you like after copying it to your clipboard.

In this case, I’ll distribute the letter using the Copy Link option.

Enter the recipient’s phone number or email address at the top of the Copy Link page so they can view the note. Additionally, you may search through your contacts by tapping the Add symbol. It is necessary to provide a contact in the letter. Even with the link, the recipient won’t be able to view or change the message if you share it without adding a contact.Finally, click Copy Link to share the note link with your colleague by copying it to your clipboard.

Add your partner or collaborators next.

Use Notes to send confidential messages.
It is now necessary for the recipient to click on the message link and accept the invitation. They will be taken to the collaborative note you just generated in the Notes app if they agree.

Simply enter something into the message to communicate; the recipient will see it instantly without you needing to press the send button. Additionally, they will be alerted whenever the note is changed.

To let everyone else know who typed what, each individual in the note will have a corresponding color appear (only for a little period).

You may also swipe right from the middle of the note to view the name of who authored the message, as well as a time stamp for when the message was written and any accompanying colors.

Now you may covertly interact with your friends or family.

Toggle on Highlight All Changes after selecting Manage Shared Note by tapping the Share Note button (which has a checkmark image). In this manner, it will be simpler to read the discussion because every message will be continuously highlighted in the appropriate color.

Remove your message or the other person’s message from the note if you wish to communicate in a more subdued manner.

In this manner, your communication will resemble that of Snapchat more, with brief or ephemeral messages that are hidden from prying eyes. Any text in the notes, together with any images, videos, links, drawings, or other assets you include, can be used in this way.

Permanently delete your private chat.

It’s time to conclude the private chat because not all of them can continue indefinitely.

You can easily maintain the note intact for everyone while preventing them from modifying it if you are the note’s owner. At the upper right, Select Manage Shared Note after tapping the View Participants button. You may either touch on a participant’s name and select Remove Access, or you can swipe left on their name and select Remove.

iPhone Notes app
Stop sharing the note or delete any contributors to put an end to the discussion.

You may also select the Stop Sharing option, which will erase the note from all of the participants’ devices in addition to removing them from it.

You may simply remove the note from the Notes app if you are not the note’s owner.