How to Make a Checklist on iPhone
The iPhone Notes app has a built-in checklist tool, so making a quick checklist on your phone takes seconds. This guide shows how to start one and how to convert existing text, then explains why Notes is great for quick lists but limited for anything you want to reuse, print or share widely.
In a hurry? Build your checklist free in under a minute.
Real checkboxes, 300+ templates and PDF download. No sign-up needed.
How to make a checklist in the iPhone Notes app
Method 1: Start a new checklist
The standard way to make a fresh checklist in Notes.
- 1
Open Notes and start a new note
Tap the new-note icon (a square with a pencil).
- 2
Tap the Checklist button
Above the keyboard, tap the checklist icon (a circle with a tick). On some screens it sits behind the "Aa" formatting button.
- 3
Type your first item
Write the task, then press Return to get a fresh checkbox on the next line.
- 4
Tick items off
Tap a circle to mark a task done. Notes can move completed items to the bottom automatically.
Method 2: Turn existing text into a checklist
Use this when you already have a list of text in a note.
- 1
Select your lines
Open a note that already has text and select the lines you want to convert.
- 2
Tap the Checklist button
Tap the checklist icon. Every selected line becomes its own tickable item.
- 3
Auto-sort checked items (optional)
In Settings then Notes then Sort Checked Items, choose "Automatically" to send finished tasks to the bottom.
Where Notes slows you down
- It only works well on Apple devices. There is no clean way to open or edit the list on Windows or Android.
- No categories, priorities or progress bar. Long lists become one endless scroll.
- Printing or exporting a tidy PDF is clumsy, and sharing means giving someone access to the whole note.
- There are no templates, so every list starts from scratch.
The verdict: iPhone Notes makes a checklist in seconds and is great for quick personal lists, but it is locked to Apple devices with no templates, categories or proper export.
The faster way: build it in GeneChecklist
Here is the same checklist, without the menus, hidden tabs or formatting. Three steps, any device.
- 1
Open the free builder
Go to the checklist builder. There is no download, no sign-up and no hidden menu to switch on. It loads as a blank checklist, ready for you to type.
- 2
Add your items, or let AI do it
Type a task and press Enter for the next line. In a hurry? Describe what the list is for, such as "weekend camping trip with two kids", and AI writes the items for you. Or start from one of 300+ ready-made checklists.
- 3
Organise, then save, print or share
Drag items to reorder them, group them into sections, and tick them off against a live progress bar. Download a clean PDF, print it, or send a share link, all from the same screen.
Notes vs. GeneChecklist
| Notes | GeneChecklist | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to a usable checklist | 1-2 minutes | Under a minute |
| Checkboxes | One tap on the checklist icon | Built in: tap to tick, with a live progress bar |
| Ready-made templates | None | 300+ professionally written checklists |
| AI list generation | Not available | Describe your list and AI writes the items |
| Phone and desktop | Apple devices only (no Windows or Android) | Any browser, nothing to install |
| Print and PDF | Awkward; no clean PDF layout | One-click, print-ready PDF |
| Cost | Free on Apple devices | Free to build, print and download as PDF |
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a checklist in the iPhone Notes app?
Open a new note, tap the checklist icon above the keyboard (a circle with a tick), and type your items. Press Return after each one to add the next checkbox.
Can I make a daily checklist on my iPhone?
Yes, in Notes. But because Notes has no templates or reset feature, many people prefer a checklist builder that lets you reuse the same list every day and print it.
How do I turn existing text into a checklist in Notes?
Select the lines of text, then tap the checklist icon. Each line becomes a separate tickable item.
Why do my Notes checklists not sync to my PC?
Notes checklists are tied to Apple devices. To use the same checklist on a Windows PC or Android phone, build it in a web-based tool that opens in any browser.
Ready-made checklists to start from
Skip the blank page. Open any of these, customise it, and download a PDF.
More checklist guides
Stop wrestling with the wrong tool
GeneChecklist is built for one thing: checklists. Real checkboxes, AI help, 300+ templates and instant PDF. Free, and no account needed to start.