How I Use Apple Notes to Keep My Health Info Organized (With Templates)

I used to keep all my health info in random places.

Some things in emails. Some in old texts. A few things scribbled on paper I couldn’t find later.

But then I had a doctor’s visit where they asked me:

“What medications are you taking right now?” 

And I just froze. I had no idea.

That’s when I realized I needed to get my health stuff together. 

Nothing fancy. Just something that works. 

And for me, that’s been the Notes app on my iPhone.

I already used it for grocery lists and travel planning… so I figured: why not my health too?

Now I have one folder in Notes where I keep:

• My doctor’s info
• What meds I’m on
• My insurance card
• A list of questions to ask
• And quick notes after appointments

It’s simple. It’s free. And it’s made my life a whole lot easier.

This guide will walk you through exactly how I set mine up, step by step, even if you’ve never used Apple Notes for anything but typing “milk, eggs, bread.”

Let’s get into it.

1. Create a Folder for Your Health Notes

This is the first thing I did, and honestly, it made everything easier.

Before, my health stuff was scattered everywhere in Notes. 

A doctor’s phone number in one note, a list of meds in another, and a half-written thing I totally forgot about until six months later.

So I made a folder. Just one. 

Now, everything’s in the same place.

How I Set It Up:

1. Open the Notes app on your iPhone
2. Go to the Folders View
3. Tap the folder icon in the bottom left
4. Name it something clear, like:
   • Health Info
   • Medical Notes
   • My Health Stuff
   • Or even just “Me” if you want to keep it low-key

No rules here. 

Just pick something that you will remember.

What I Keep Inside This Folder

You don’t need to create everything at once. 

But here’s what I ended up adding over time:

• My medical summary
• Contact info for my doctors
• A running list of medications
• Notes after appointments
• A scan of my insurance card
• And a list of questions I want to ask next time

I’ll walk you through each one, step by step.

I’ve even got some copy-paste templates to make it easier.

Why I Don’t Use the “Forever Note” Method (And Stick With Folders Instead)

I know a lot of people use what’s called the forever note, where you create one main note and keep linking all your small notes inside it.

Kind of like a personal dashboard or hub.

And honestly, it’s a smart idea. I’ve seen folks manage their entire life this way — everything linked inside one master note they keep pinned at the top.

But for me… It didn’t click.

The moment I needed to pin other small notes — like a recent appointment log or a shopping list note — the whole setup got messy.

Now I had 4–5 notes pinned, and the hub note wasn’t really acting like a hub anymore. Just another note in the pile.

That’s when I moved to folders.

Now I don’t have to rely on one pinned note to navigate.

Each thing has its place — meds, doctors, summary, appointments — all separated and easy to jump into.

And I still pin what I need, without breaking the whole system.

So yeah, the forever note method is clever. But for my day-to-day… Folders just work better.

Also read: How I use Apple Notes as a Daily Planner

2. Add Your Medical Summary

This is the note I wish I had made years ago. 

It’s just one place where I keep the main stuff about my health, so I don’t have to remember it all the time or fumble during appointments.

It’s not a full-on medical record. Just the basics, written clearly.

What I Keep in My Medical Summary

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Blood type (if you know it)
• Allergies
• Ongoing conditions (like asthma, diabetes, etc.)
• Surgeries or major stuff from the past
• Anything important that doctors should know about me

You can also include emergency contacts here, totally up to you.

Copy-Paste Template You Can Use:

Medical Summary

Name:  
Date of Birth:  
Blood Type:  
Allergies:  
Current Conditions:  
Past Surgeries or History:  
Medications (basic list):  
Emergency Contact:  
Phone:

Why This Note Helps

This is the note I end up opening the most, more than I expected.

Like when I’m filling out those boring forms at the doctor’s office… or trying to remember what meds I’m on… or even setting up stuff online that asks for medical info.

I don’t want to guess or dig through old papers. I just open this and everything’s there. 

Quick and easy.

Should You Lock This Note?

If you’re comfortable leaving this unlocked so you can get to it quickly, go for it. 

But if it has private info and you’d rather protect it, you can lock it with Face ID (I’ll show how later).

Personally… I keep this one unlocked. 

I want to open it fast when I need it.

3. Doctor & Hospital Info

This is one of those things you don’t think you’ll need… until you’re on hold with a new clinic or trying to remember the name of that one specialist from last year.

So I made a note where I keep all my doctor and hospital info in one place.

Nothing fancy. Just the stuff I don’t want to Google every time.

What I Keep in This Note

• Primary care doctor
• Any specialists (dermatologist, eye doctor, therapist, etc.)
• Pharmacy (mine’s CVS, and I even wrote which one)
• Preferred hospital
• Addresses and phone numbers
• Notes from visits (like “checkup was fine, follow-up in 6 months”)
• Optional: links to maps, patient portal logins

I even added small stuff like where to park at the hospital — sounds silly, but trust me, it helps.

Copy-Paste Template You Can Use:

Primary Doctor  
Name:  
Phone:  
Clinic Address:  
Notes:  

Specialists  
[Type - e.g., Dermatologist]  
Name:  
Phone:  
Clinic Address:  
Notes:  

Pharmacy  
Name:  
Address:  
Phone:  

Preferred Hospital  
Name:  
Address:  
ER Direct Line (if you have it):  
Parking Info:

Quick Tip: Add Apple Maps Link to the Location

When you’re adding a doctor’s or hospital’s address, don’t just type the street name — drop the actual Apple Maps link into the note too.

That way, if you’re in a rush, you can tap and go. No need to copy-paste or search again.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Maps app on your iPhone
2. Search for the doctor, clinic, or hospital
3. Tap Share → then tap Copy
4. Go back to your note and paste the link
5. (Optional) Long-press the preview to change how it shows up

I use this all the time. Especially when someone’s like, “Hey, where’s your clinic again?” I just open the note and share the map link. Done.

Lock It or Not?

I keep this one unlocked, because there’s nothing super private here. 

If someone ever needed to help me schedule something, I’d rather they find this easily.

4. Medication Tracker

This is the note I didn’t think I needed… until I did.

Doctors always ask:

“What medications are you on?”
“How much do you take?”
“How often?”

And there I was, blanking out, trying to guess the name of that one allergy pill I’ve taken forever.

So now, I just open my Notes app and it’s all right there.

What I Track

• Medication name
• Dosage (like “10mg”)
• How often I take it (daily, as needed, etc.)
• What it’s for (just in case I forget)
• Any side effects I’ve noticed
• When I started/stopped something
• Refill dates (optional)

Copy-Paste Template You Can Use:

Medication Tracker
[Medication Name]  
• Dosage:  
• Frequency:  
• Reason:  
• Notes / Side Effects:  
• Started:  
• Refill Due:

You don’t have to fill it all out at once — just start with what you know.

Bonus Tip: I Also Add Med & Prescription Photos

Writing it out is great, but sometimes, a photo just makes it easier. 

So now I also add a picture of:

• The actual bottle or packaging
• The prescription slip (especially if there’s a dosage note from the doctor)

It’s faster and, honestly, way easier to reference later.

Why This Helps

This note has saved me during:

• New doctor visits
• Pharmacy calls
• Filling out online health forms
• Moments where I think, “Wait… when did I stop taking that?”

It’s also useful if someone close to you ever needs to know what you’re taking (like a parent, partner, etc.).

Lock It or Not?

Totally up to you. 

If you’re listing anything sensitive, you can lock it. 

But I keep mine unlocked for quick access — especially during appointments.

5. Appointment Log

Okay, real talk… I used to walk out of doctor’s appointments and immediately forget everything they said. 

I’d remember like… two words. Maybe.

So I started jotting things down right after each visit — inside Notes.

Nothing long. Just quick thoughts like:

“Said to come back in 3 months. Vitamin D low. Try OTC supplement.”

Now, when I go back months later, I actually know what we talked about.

What I Log After Each Visit

• Date
• Doctor or clinic name
• Reason for visit
• What they said
• Any next steps (bloodwork, referrals, follow-up)
• Prescriptions or treatment changes

You don’t need to write a novel. Just the important bits.

Copy-Paste Template You Can Use:

Appointment Log
[Date]  
Doctor / Clinic:  
Reason for Visit:  
Main Notes:  
Next Steps / Follow-up:

You can repeat this format for each appointment — all in the same note, or in separate ones if you like it cleaner.

Bonus Tip: Record What Your Doctor Says (If You’re Allowed To)

If you’re someone who forgets things the moment you leave the room, try this:

Use the audio recording feature inside Apple Notes to record the conversation during your appointment.

Here’s how:

1. Open the appointment note
2. Tap the paperclip icon
3. Choose Record Audio
4. Hit stop when you’re done — the file stays right there in the note

Of course, check first if it’s okay to record. Some clinics are chill with it, others might not allow it.

But if they say yes? Game-changer.

You can listen later, write down the important stuff, and you’re not scrambling to remember what was said about dosage or follow-ups.

Why This Helps

• You remember what happened at each visit
• You notice patterns (like “this has been hurting for 4 months”)
• If you switch doctors, you have a history ready to go
• You’re not relying on memory, especially if you were anxious or tired that day

Lock It?

This one’s up to you. 

I personally keep it unlocked because it’s more practical that way — but if anything feels too personal, lock it down.

6. Insurance & ID Info

I’ll be real with you — the day I had to fill out a form at urgent care and couldn’t remember my insurance group number, I knew I had to sort this out.

Since then, I keep a simple note that holds:

• My insurance details
• A photo of the card
• My driver’s license number
• Anything else I usually forget when I’m stressed

It takes two minutes to set up and saves way more time later.

What I Keep in This Note

• Insurance provider (like Blue Cross, Aetna, etc.)
• Member ID
• Group number
• Phone number for questions
• A photo of both sides of my card
• Optional: My driver’s license number
• Optional: My pharmacy benefits info (if separate)

Copy-Paste Template You Can Use:  

Health Insurance  
Provider:  
Member ID: 
Group Number:  
Support Phone:  
Notes:  

ID (Optional)  
Driver’s License:  
State:  

Attached Images:  
[Photo of insurance card – front]  
[Photo of insurance card – back]

To add photos, tap the Paperclip icon → Choose Photos or Videos → select the front and back images, they’ll show up right in the note.

Lock It?

Yes. Definitely. 

This one has personal details, so lock it with Face ID or your password.

7. Questions to Ask at My Next Visit

You ever leave a doctor’s office and think:

“Ugh… I forgot to ask that one thing”?

Yeah, same.

So now, I keep a running note in Apple Notes just for stuff I want to ask next time. 

Doesn’t matter if my appointment is in 2 days or 2 months, I drop the question in the note as soon as it pops in my head.

That way, when I’m sitting in that cold room on the crinkly paper, I’m not blanking out.

What I Put in This Note

• Weird symptoms I noticed
• Side effects from meds
• “Is this normal?” stuff I don’t want to Google
• Stuff I heard from friends that made me curious
• Health goals I want advice on
• Insurance or billing questions

Even if I don’t bring it all up, at least I have it ready.

Bonus Tip: Add Links or Photos

Sometimes I’ll drop a photo of a rash or weird symptom (TMI, I know) or link an article I want to ask about. 

It’s like a mini prep sheet because I’d rather be over-prepared than risk missing something.

Lock It?

I don’t. But if it feels personal, you totally can.

8. How I Keep It Updated

Let me be honest: I’m not the kind of person who updates my health notes every day. 

Or even every week. I don’t have time for that.

But I came up with a simple little system that actually works, because it’s lazy-proof.

When I Update My Notes

Here’s what I do:

• Right after a doctor visit. I’ll sit in the car, open Notes, and quickly drop what they told me into my appointment log.
• When I start or stop a medication. I update the medication tracker — takes 30 seconds.
• When I get a new insurance card. I just snap a photo and replace the old one.
• Once every few months. I scroll through the folder and see if anything looks outdated.

That’s it. I don’t have reminders or a system with alarms. 

Just whenever something changes or I feel like it’s time.

My Lazy Reminder Trick

I added a tiny recurring event in my calendar:

“Health Notes Check-In – every 3 months”

I usually ignore it the first time, snooze it the second, and finally do it on the third. 

But it works.

Keep It Simple

You don’t have to treat this like a journal. You’re not writing essays. 

You’re just keeping track of your life, in case you need it later.

So don’t overthink it.

9. What I Lock (And What I Don’t)

Apple Notes lets you lock individual notes with Face ID or a password. 

Super useful. But also… you don’t need to lock everything.

I keep it simple. I only lock what feels personal. 

That’s it.

Notes I Lock

• My Insurance & ID Info (card numbers, license info — private stuff)
• My Medication Tracker (if it mentions mental health meds or anything sensitive)
• My Medical Summary (only if I’ve written personal history or health details)

Notes I Leave Unlocked

• Doctor & hospital contact info
• Appointment log (unless something super private is in there)
• Questions for my doctor
• General stuff like blood type or pharmacy info

Why I Don’t Lock Everything

Because when I’m stressed or in a hurry — I just want to open the damn note.

I don’t want to mess with passwords or wait for Face ID to kick in. So if a note isn’t too private, I leave it open.

It’s your call. You get to decide what feels “locked-worthy.”

How to Lock a Note

You might already know this, but if not, here’s how to lock it real quick:

1. Long-press the note you want to lock
2. Tap Lock Note
3. Set a password (if it’s your first time) or just use Face ID

Important: Don’t forget that password. If Face ID ever fails, that’s your backup. And if you lose both? You lose the note, too.

10. Sharing Notes With Someone You Trust (Optional, But Smart)

Here’s something I didn’t think about at first:

What if I’m not the one using these notes?
What if I get sick or knocked out and someone else has to help?

That’s when I realized: 

Maybe I should share one or two of these notes with someone close — like my mom, my partner, or a trusted friend.

And with Apple Notes, it’s super easy to do.

What I Share (And Why)

I don’t share everything — just the essentials.

Here’s what I did:

• I shared my Doctor & Hospital Info note
• I also shared a simplified version of my Medical Summary

That way, if something ever happens, someone close to me can open those notes and know exactly who to call, where I go, and what matters.

I hope no one ever needs to use them, but if they do? At least they’re not scrambling.

How to Share a Note in Apple Notes

1. Open the note
2. Tap the share icon (little square with arrow)
3. Choose Collaborate
4. Choose the person (they’ll need an Apple device)
5. Set it to Can View or Can Edit, depending on your comfort level

I gave edit access to my mom, just in case she ever needs to add updates for me.

Shared Notes Still Work With Lock

If the note is locked, they’ll only see it if you’ve given them the password too. 

So for shared stuff, I usually don’t lock it, or I make a separate version that’s share-friendly.

My Final Take

I didn’t set this up because I’m a super organized person. 

I set it up because I was tired of feeling lost every time I had to deal with anything health-related.

I used to scramble through emails, dig through papers, or call my mom, like,

“Do you remember what insurance I have?”

Now… It’s all in my Notes app. Simple folders. Quick templates. Stuff I can actually find when I need it.

This isn’t some fancy system. 

It’s just one way to make life a little easier, especially when things get stressful.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed keeping track of your own health stuff, I hope this guide helps you feel a little more in control.

And if you set yours up, I’d love to know what you added that I didn’t. 

We’re all figuring this out together.

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