We live in an ideas economy powered by conveniently capturing inspiration whenever and wherever it strikes. Yet finding a pen and paper still proves no easy feat during a quick store run or phone call. Wouldn‘t it be nice to have a handy device on your wrist to immediately record notes the moment they hit you?
Enter the note taking super power hidden right in your Apple Watch.
With over 100 million Apple Watches sold, the handy wristwear accompanies users everywhere throughout the day. And advances in watchOS make these devices surprisingly capable note taking companions. The right app transforms Apple Watch into an effortless way to jot down lists, thoughts, reminders and more while on the go.
This definitive guide covers my top app picks for unlocking the full power of notes on Apple Watch. I‘ll share key features, use cases and tips tailored to a wide range of needs for seamless note taking. Let‘s dive in!
Why Take Notes on Apple Watch?
Before reviewing the top note apps, let‘s briefly cover what makes Apple Watch so convenient for capturing notes:
It‘s always accessible – No need to fish out your phone. Just lift your wrist and start typing or speaking notes.
Hands-free operation – Use convenient voice dictation features to record notes. Great for when actively engaging hands.
Rapid note taking – Quickly jot using finger taps or swipes on the small screen.
Syncing – Apple Watch automatically syncs notes across iPhone, iPad and Mac for ubiquitous access.
Discreet – Less conspicuous than constantly grabbing your phone in meetings or at events.
Reminders and Lists – Tag notes as actionable reminders you can knock out later.
For quickly compiling grocery lists en route to the store or ideas between meetings, Apple Watch offers advantages over phones for rapid fire note taking.
Next let‘s explore some stellar app options that amplify the benefits through advanced features beyond the stock Apple apps.
1. Apple Notes – Freedom in Simplicity
The built-in Notes app provides a free basic method to start taking notes on Apple Watch. It seamlessly syncs quick text notes across Apple devices via iCloud.
I often find myself using Apple Notes when I just need to briefly jot some quick bullet points or a short list. It handles basic text based notes without bells, whistles or distractions.
Key Features:
- Create and view notes
- Support for basic text formatting like lists, bold and italics
- Dictate notes using voice transcription features
- Sync notes across Apple devices automatically
The stock Notes app offers a perfectly suitable free option if you don‘t need advanced capabilities. It removes all barriers standing between you and getting words on the page thanks to deep Apple Watch integration. Use it to scribble lists on the go or capture fleeting inspiration when a typhoon of ideas strikes.
But read on for more feature-rich apps if basic notes don‘t fully suffice.
2. Microsoft OneNote – The Power User‘s Choice
If you need to amplify notes with media attachments, drawings and deeper cross-platform availability, Microsoft OneNote ranks among the top contenders. It stands out through exceptional Office and Outlook integration combined with expanded Apple Watch tools.
Standout Features:
- Document scanner quickly digitizes real-world physical notes
- Drawing tools enable basic sketching abilities
- Embed or link photos, audio recordings and video
- Share notes easily within Microsoft ecosystem
- Access notes organized into tabbed virtual notebooks
- Enjoy editing capabilities like highlighting across platforms
Microsoft smartly optimized OneNote for deep Apple Watch support through watchOS cloud sync integration. You can easily view notebook tabs right on the tiny screen. Rich organization and media abilities like audio notes rated OneNote my previous top pick.
I once recorded entire developer meeting audio paired with timestamps later from my Apple Watch. I wrote code references and key points real time while replaying the audio on my MacBook thanks to automatic syncing across devices.
Microsoft offers premium Office 365 paid plans but you can utilize OneNote entirely free subject to storage limits. With deep platform support beyond Apple-only, Microsoft OneNote warrants consideration.
3. Bear – For Notes Enthusiastically Crafted
Those desiring notes focused on craftsmanship and aesthetics found a perfect companion in Bear. The app centers notes around portability leveraging widely supported Markdown syntax documents.
It brings tag support for conveniently searching notes in addition to silky smooth interfaces across platforms. I always feel immersed by the satisfying sound feedback with each keyboard tap.
Top reasons to love Bear:
- Notes as beautifully authored Markdown documents
- Customize fonts, themes and icons for personality
- Organize notes intuitively leveraging tags and hierarchical searches
- Enjoy exported notes nearly anywhere supporting standard Markdown files
- Securely sync notes across Apple devices
Bear pitches itself as a "notes app for creatives" and delivers on empowering notes as artistic collateral. I often use Bear for longform writing and drafts thanks to excellent formatting support through Markdown. The notes seamlessly work across my blog editors and tools thanks to data portability.
Bear offers a highly capable free version but unlocks premium features helpful for creative pros through paid upgrades. Well worth inclusion in your note taking toolkit!
4. Evernote – Robust Notes Focused on Searchability
Evernote stands tall as the industry veteran note app noted for feature depth combined with ubiquity across essentially every device. Robust organization with contextual reminders and deep search cemented Evernote‘s staple status.
I consistently find myself returning to Evernote anytime I want to archive reference material searchable later. The drastically improved interfaces also now provide enjoyable experiences all around.
Where Evernote truly shines:
- Web clipper expediently saves articles and websites into notes
- Annotate screenshots, maps and other attachments
- Tag everything extensively for superior search
- Set reminders based on time or location
- Share notebooks easily for seamless collaboration
- Format notes nicely with support for tables and other elements
The free Evernote tier still enables reasonably robust Apple Watch functionality for a basic story. But I utilize premium features like offline access and advanced collaboration regularly in my work.
If you need a feature-rich solution as an extension of your brain for recalling disparate ideas, give Evernote a look.
5. Notability – Redefining Fluid Note Workflows
Notability pushes the boundaries of iPad drawing and handwriting notes but also facilitates helpful Apple Watch support. Tap the watch app to quickly speak short notes for transcribing across devices later.
I like using Notability Apple Watch integration for quickly noting timestamps during long recordings or meetings. The easy audio time anchoring proves invaluable when reviewing materials across my iPad Pro and MacBook huge screens benefiting text readability.
Excellent Apple Watch tools:
- Quick notes easily transformed using the Notability drawing suite later
- Speak notes while simultaneously sketching ideas on iPhone & iPad
- Annotate and markup PDF documents and presentations from Apple Watch dictations
- Audio recording while taking Apple Watch notes
In essence, Notability leverages Apple Watch for convenient voice input sent directly into the powerful creation suite offered on iPhone and iPad. Tight hardware sync integration streamlines transferring Apple Watch voice snippets into fully realized illustrated notes.
While you can accomplish only so much on the miniscule wrist real estate alone, Notability unlocks full cross-device workflows benefiting from Apple Watch voice convenience.
6. Drafts – Unlocking Creativity Through Simplicity
Drafts distinguishes itself by cutting through the complexity bogging down other featured-bloated note apps. It decidedly zones in on making it fast and simple to start writing from any device.
I like opening Drafts and just starting to type ideas manually or dictating freeflow voice without thinking or looking at unnecessary settings or buttons. It fades away the interface once you start writing to avoid breaking creative focus. Everything centers specifically around facilitating translating thoughts into words.
How Drafts accelerates note creation:
- Start writing instantly without setup steps
- Dictate freeform notes leveraging voice convenience
- Tag notes to handy references searchable later
- Custom actions to send notes across other apps for further editing or use
- Sync notes securely across Apple devices
By exclusively focusing on removing roadblocks standing between you and taking notes, Drafts shines for getting thoughts documented. Stellar Apple Watch support plays a major role in those frictionless voice note moments needing nothing but your wrist.
Give Drafts a try when you feel that spark of inspiration and want absolutely nothing slowing you down dumping ideas into words instantly!
7. Things 3 – Notes Fused With Task Management
Things 3 takes a task-based approach helping you track to-dos and notes required getting things done. It essentially bakes project management style features into note taking centered around actionable outcomes.
The apps excel specifically for people who think in terms of tasks and track their days based on completing Next Actions. I often use Things as a trusted system for managing both personal and professional goals thanks to exceptional Apple integration.
Notable Features:
- Quick note photos, checklists and voice recordings
- Organize notes and to-dos with tags, areas and headings
- Available across Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad and even Mac
- Deep Siri integration through voice commands
- Sharp task focused interfaces promoting followthrough
I love how effortlessly notes in Things 3 sync across devices so I can conveniently review projects via various screen sizes. For example, I‘ll add quick voice notes on Apple Watch while shopping of items still needed for a recipe. But then easily drag and drop those notes converting them into actionable tasks on my iPad for execution workflow.
If you want notes fused with robust task management, Things 3 offers a stellar experience across the full Apple ecosystem.
8. Google Keep – Frictionless Notes Everywhere
Ever needed notes to reliably sync across both Apple and Android devices? Enter Google Keep offering smooth interoperability through deep Google integration.
Keep works exceptionally well if you live entrenched across multiple platforms. Add voice notes effortlessly from your Apple Watch then review later from Android phones or Chromebook thanks to tight cloud sync integration.
Key Perks:
- Audio recordings transcribed automatically to text
- Embed notes directly within Google Docs for easy collaboration
- View notes offline for availability anywhere
- Enjoy seamless real-time syncing across Apple and Google ecosystems
- Search notes via assistant voice commands like "Hey Siri"
Sometimes I‘ll add quick voice notes on my Apple Watch while exercising which then automatically become comments later within related Google Docs shared among teams. That frictionless cross-ecosystem interoperability proves invaluable in my daily workflows.
If you ever feel limited needing notes and tasks working across both Apple and Google platforms, check out Keep to bridge the gap!
9. Simplenote – Thoughts Synced Everywhere Quickly
I include Simplenote on this list specifically when users need a fast, minimalist note syncing solution everywhere. It focused exclusively on crafting reliable responsive apps across platforms over packing in complex features.
Designers centralized around note availability anywhere through streamlined interfaces. I easily take advantage by adding Apple Watch reminders which then automatically pop in my browser during video conferences thanks to instant sync.
Where Simplenote excels:
- Fast note creation prioritized over features
- Collaborate on notes with other people
- Retrieve previous versions of notes
- Organize notes using tags
- Encrypted sync across devices
Sometimes basic reliable utility outweighs catering to every fringe desire. Simplenote fixed the core essentials like lightning quick performance, ubiquitous access and durable sync.
Don‘t expect tons of formatting finesse or multimedia attachments. But if you just need simple durable notes everywhere fast, check out Simplenote!
10. Standard Notes – Notes Obsessively Focused on Security
I include Standard Notes specifically for users prioritizing encryption and privacy above all else. It marked itself the ultra-secure open source note platform built ground up with state-of-the-art encryption.
Security features offered:
- End-to-end encryption ensuring note privacy
- Open source code base enabling transparency
- Notes only stored locally on your devices
- Self-hostable option for ultimate control
- Various authentication mechanisms including biometrics
You exchange tons of bells, whistles and conveniences typical note apps supply for singular focused mission critical security. I sometimes use Standard Notes when working with protected client health data bound by high industry regulatory requirements.
But casual users may still benefit from enhanced privacy while journaling inner personal thoughts. Ultimately decide case by case if the rigid constraints prove welcome or limiting based on use case.
Just know Standard Notes there if protecting notes with encryption reigns supreme over all other features in priority. But most general users should balance factors choosing apps higher up this list.
When Do Apple Watch Notes Make Most Sense?
We covered the top 10 apps to try but when should you actually take notes on Apple Watch versus iPhone or other devices? The main scenarios benefiting quick watch notes include:
On-the-Go Errands – Driving or walking between stores quickly voice dictate needed items.
Fleeting Random Thoughts – In a flash of genius inspiration or revelation? Don‘t lose it!
Personal Journaling – Catalog emotional journey through sporadic voice journaling.
Scratch Pad During Meetings – Discretely take notes without appearing distracted staring into your phone.
List Making – Grocery lists, movies to watch, gift ideas, etc!
Workout Logging – Track fitness metrics handsfree like sets, reps and thought snippets.
Reminders to Self – Apple Watch notes to tag future to-dos you‘ll handle later.
The main use case themes include timely convenience aided by handsfree operation while actively doing other things. Determine the right tools for the task leveraging watch benefits only where they prove most useful over more robust platforms.
But in the common daily scenarios above, give Apple Watch note taking a try to capture thoughts otherwise lost!
Start Unlocking the Power of Quick Wrist Notes
We covered my top 10 preferred note apps for Apple Watch that distill convenience to write down anything at a moment‘s notice. Take advantage to work more efficiently and never lose another flash of inspiration when your hands remain otherwise occupied.
Determine which solution best fits your personal needs and working style through the detailed functional evaluations above. Find the one tailored towards how your brain best functions for consummate note taking workflows.
Whichever route you pick, Apple Watch now empowers clever convenience capitalizing on voice and wrist raise access. The mini watch screen packs a surprising punch when it comes to productivity!
Now whenever you feel that urge during a walk or errand to write something down, conveniently make it happen right from the watch instead of fumbling for your phone.
Give Apple Watch note taking a dedicated try and you may just unlock a simple trick yielding huge benefits each and every day!
