Managing Tags in iOS 15 Notes App Sidebar

Apple introduced a major organizational overhaul to the Notes app in iOS 15 with the addition of system-wide tags, a dedicated Tag Browser in the sidebar, and automated Smart Folders. This article covers the specific updates that allow users to generate, filter, and organize tags directly through the sidebar interface, transforming how notes are categorized and retrieved on iPhone and iPad.

The Tag Browser in the Sidebar

In iOS 15, the root folder view—often referred to as the sidebar on iPadOS or larger iPhones—received a new dedicated "Tags" section located at the bottom of the folders list. This Tag Browser serves as a centralized hub for every tag used across your account. Rather than navigating through individual nested folders, users can view all existing tags in one consolidated location.

Dynamic Tag Creation and Population

Unlike traditional folders, tags are not created by tapping an "Add" button inside the sidebar. Instead, tags are dynamically populated:

  • Inline Creation: Typing a hash symbol followed by text (e.g., #project or #finance) anywhere in a note instantly converts the text into a functional tag.
  • Automatic Sidebar Detection: As soon as a tag is typed into a note, it automatically appears inside the sidebar's Tag Browser.
  • Persistent Lists: The sidebar tracks all active tags across iCloud and local storage, ensuring that newly generated tags are immediately available for filtering without manual configuration.

Multi-Tag Filtering Directly from the Sidebar

The iOS 15 sidebar allows for multi-tag selection to narrow down search results rapidly:

  • Single Selection: Tapping any tag in the sidebar displays all notes associated with that specific tag.
  • Multi-Selection: Users can tap multiple tags simultaneously. The Notes app filters the list to show only notes containing all selected tags, functioning as a native boolean "AND" search.
  • "All Tags" View: An option at the top of the Tag Browser allows users to see every tagged note in a single chronological stream.

Tag-Based Smart Folders

Alongside the Tag Browser, iOS 15 introduced Smart Folders, which are configured and managed directly from the sidebar:

  • When creating a new folder from the bottom-left corner of the sidebar, users can designate it as a "Smart Folder."
  • You can select one or more tags from your Tag Browser to define the folder's rules.
  • Any note marked with the chosen tags is automatically aggregated into that Smart Folder in the sidebar, removing the need to manually drag and drop notes into separate directories.

Deleting and Editing Tags

Because the sidebar dynamically reflects tags located within your notes, managing tag removal is tied directly to the notes themselves. If a tag is removed from all notes, it automatically disappears from the sidebar's Tag Browser, keeping the interface uncluttered without requiring manual deletion from the sidebar menu.