For quick notes and shared information, the family uses Apple Notes. Matt also has a personal note system (Obsidian) for his own use.
Family Notes: Apple Notes (shared via iCloud)
Access: Notes app on any Apple device
Matt's Personal Notes: Obsidian vault (not family-facing)
| Content |
Tool |
| Quick shared notes, reminders, ideas |
Apple Notes (shared) |
| Grocery/shopping notes |
Apple Reminders (see Tasks) |
| Family calendar events |
Apple Calendar (see Calendar System) |
| Passwords and secure info |
1Password |
| Recipes |
Mealie |
| Matt's personal projects and research |
Obsidian (Matt only) |
Apple Notes is the simplest way to share notes across the family. It's built into every Apple device and syncs instantly via iCloud.
How sharing works:
- Individual notes can be shared with specific people
- Shared notes show up in everyone's Notes app automatically
- Multiple people can edit the same note at the same time
Good uses for shared Apple Notes:
- Packing lists for trips
- House instructions for when we have guests
- Notes from a doctor visit or phone call
- Shared to-do list for a project (when a Reminders list is overkill)
- Quick captures that don't fit anywhere else
Matt uses Obsidian as his personal knowledge management system. It's a note-taking app built on plain text files, stored locally and synced via iCloud.
This is Matt's personal system only — family members don't need to use or access it. It's where Matt keeps:
- Personal project notes and research
- Work notes and meeting summaries
- Reference information and reading notes
- Long-form thinking and journaling
iPhone:
- Open Notes app
- Tap the compose button (pencil icon, bottom right)
- Type your note
- It saves automatically
Mac:
- Open Notes
- Click the compose button (pencil + paper icon)
- Type your note
Siri: "Create a note that says..." or "Add [text] to my notes"
- Open the note
- Tap the share button (box with arrow up)
- Tap Collaborate or Share Note
- Add family members by their Apple ID email
- Choose whether they can edit or view only
- Use the search bar at the top of the Notes app
- Notes are organized by folder — check "All iCloud" if you can't find something
- On Mac: Cmd+F to search within a note
Notes can be placed in folders. Suggested folders:
- Family: Shared family notes
- Personal: Your own private notes
- Travel: Trip notes and packing lists
- Notes app (yellow notepad icon)
- Siri can create and read notes
- Notes app in Applications or dock
- Also accessible from Reminders widget in Notification Center
- Check that iCloud Notes is enabled: Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Notes (should be on)
- Pull down to refresh in the Notes app
- Check the note is saved to iCloud (not "On My iPhone") — look at the folder it's in
- Check for an iCloud sharing invitation — may be in Mail or a notification
- Accept the invitation to see the shared note
- Shared notes appear in a Shared section in the Notes sidebar
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