Jul 09, 2026 — Digital Edition
George Ideas
Independent Journalism & Insight
Feature

Mastering Notes: Switch Your Color Palette in a Flash

Ever found yourself wishing you could jazz up your notes with a pop of color? Notes, the built-in app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, offers a simple way to change your color palette, making your notes more engaging and personalized. Let's dive into how you can switch up your color scheme in just a few taps.

Study Color Coding Guide – Simple Colour Theory for Students 🌈
Study Color Coding Guide – Simple Colour Theory for Students 🌈

Before we begin, ensure that you're using the latest version of iOS or macOS. The color palette feature is available in Notes for iOS 13 or later, iPadOS, and macOS Catalina or later.

Color Palette for Study Notes | Aesthetic Note-Taking Color Guide
Color Palette for Study Notes | Aesthetic Note-Taking Color Guide

Changing the Color Palette on iPhone or iPad

iPhones and iPads offer a user-friendly interface to change the color palette of your notes.

🌈 Color Theme Notes for Students | Cute Aesthetic Study Notes Ideas & Organization Tips
🌈 Color Theme Notes for Students | Cute Aesthetic Study Notes Ideas & Organization Tips

First, let's understand the available color options. Notes provides a range of colors, including blue, green, purple, yellow, pink, orange, red, gray, and black. Each color has a light and a dark shade, giving you a total of 18 color options to choose from.

Accessing the Color Palette

COLOR CODE
COLOR CODE

To access the color palette, follow these steps:

1. Open the Notes app on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Tap on the note you want to change the color of, or create a new note.

How to Color Code Notes for Faster Revision (Study Tips)
How to Color Code Notes for Faster Revision (Study Tips)

3. Tap the share button (square with an arrow pointing upwards) at the top of your keyboard.

4. Scroll down and tap on "Change Background Color."

Applying a New Color

Dos and don'ts of notes
Dos and don'ts of notes

Once you're in the color palette, applying a new color is a breeze:

1. Tap on the color you want to use. The note's background will preview in the selected color.

an info sheet showing the different colors of paint and pencils in each color scheme
an info sheet showing the different colors of paint and pencils in each color scheme
🌈 Color Code Your Notes
🌈 Color Code Your Notes
Color Coding Notes Effectively
Color Coding Notes Effectively
Mine, no reposts !!
Mine, no reposts !!
an advertisement for what to change is shown with pictures of forks, spoons and knives
an advertisement for what to change is shown with pictures of forks, spoons and knives
an image of the names and numbers of different types of items in this chart, which are
an image of the names and numbers of different types of items in this chart, which are
a notebook with the words color combos written on it next to a vase full of flowers
a notebook with the words color combos written on it next to a vase full of flowers
Productivity guide: Color coding guide for student notes!
Productivity guide: Color coding guide for student notes!
the color theory for this poster is very colorful and shows what colors are used to describe them
the color theory for this poster is very colorful and shows what colors are used to describe them
an image of how to change the colors without using color pencils and watercolor
an image of how to change the colors without using color pencils and watercolor
How to color cozy things Bogiki
How to color cozy things Bogiki
colour coding with highlighter colours!
colour coding with highlighter colours!
the color chart for different shades of pastel and neutrals, with text below
the color chart for different shades of pastel and neutrals, with text below
Highlighter meanings
Highlighter meanings
an image of the color swatches for different colors on a pink and yellow background
an image of the color swatches for different colors on a pink and yellow background
Complementary colors for taking note
Complementary colors for taking note
the color wheel with different shades to choose from, which one do not shade with?
the color wheel with different shades to choose from, which one do not shade with?
there are four different colors on the waterlily with lily pads in the foreground
there are four different colors on the waterlily with lily pads in the foreground
Codes couleur à utiliser sans modération !
Codes couleur à utiliser sans modération !
Colors of each month🎨💗"
Colors of each month🎨💗"

2. If you're satisfied with the preview, tap "Done" in the top right corner to save your changes.

3. If you want to use a different color, simply tap on another color in the palette.

Changing the Color Palette on Mac

Changing the color palette on your Mac is just as easy as on your iPhone or iPad.

Here's how you can do it:

Accessing the Color Palette on Mac

1. Open the Notes app on your Mac.

2. Click on the note you want to change the color of, or create a new note.

3. Click on the "Background Color" button in the toolbar (it's the square with a diagonal line through it).

Applying a New Color on Mac

1. In the color palette that appears, click on the color you want to use. The note's background will preview in the selected color.

2. Once you're happy with the preview, click "Done" to save your changes.

3. If you want to use a different color, simply click on another color in the palette.

And there you have it! You've now mastered the art of changing your color palette in Notes. Whether you're using your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can now add a splash of color to your notes, making them more engaging and personalized. Happy note-taking!