iOS 15 Notes App Tag Browser Sorting Features

Apple’s iOS 15 update introduced a native tagging system and a dedicated Tag Browser to the Notes app, significantly expanding how users organize and retrieve information. This article details the specific sorting, filtering, and organizational capabilities added to the Notes app Tag Browser in iOS 15, explaining how users can navigate their tagged notes with precision.

The Dedicated Tag Browser

In iOS 15, the Tag Browser is located at the bottom of the main Folders view. It automatically collects every hashtag (e.g., #work, #receipts) typed into any note across your iCloud and local accounts. The browser presents these tags in an organized list, allowing you to instantly view and isolate categorized content without manually moving notes into specific folders.

Alphabetical Tag Ordering

The Tag Browser automatically organizes all detected tags in alphabetical order. This default alphabetical sorting ensures that as your collection of tags grows, finding a specific tag remains predictable and quick. Any newly created tag immediately populates into its proper alphabetical position within the browser.

Multi-Tag Filtering

One of the most notable sorting enhancements introduced in iOS 15 is the ability to filter notes using multiple tags simultaneously:

  • Single-Tag Selection: Tapping any single tag displays all notes containing that specific hashtag.
  • Multi-Tag Selection: Tapping multiple tags in the Tag Browser narrows down the notes list. You can view notes that contain all selected tags, allowing you to cross-reference categories (such as viewing notes marked with both #project and #urgent).
  • Tag Deselection: Tapping an active tag deselects it, immediately updating the filtered list in real time.

Sorting Tagged Note Lists

Once you select one or more tags in the Tag Browser, you can customize the sorting order of the resulting notes list. By tapping the three-dot action icon at the top of the tagged view, you can sort the notes using the following criteria:

  • Date Edited (Newest to Oldest or Oldest to Newest)
  • Date Created (Newest to Oldest or Oldest to Newest)
  • Title (Alphabetically or Reverse Alphabetically)

This sorting preference can be set specifically for tag views, ensuring your tagged searches remain orderly according to your preferred workflow.

Custom Tag Sorting with Smart Folders

Alongside the Tag Browser, iOS 15 introduced Smart Folders, which build directly upon tag functionality. Smart Folders act as persistent, automated search filters based on selected tags. When creating a Smart Folder, you can apply your preferred default sorting rules, ensuring that notes meeting specific tag criteria are permanently sorted and accessible directly from your main Folders list.