How to tap the locked iPad screen for a new note in iPadOS 26 

You can quickly open a new note right from your iPad’s Lock Screen. To enable the feature: 

1. Go to Settings on your iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap Apps.
3. Scroll down and tap Notes.
4. Scroll to the bottom and select Access Notes from Lock Screen.
5. Choose an option:
   • Always Create New Note: Creates a fresh, blank note each time you tap the screen.
   • Resume Last Note: Opens the most recent note you were working on.
   • Off: Disables the feature. 

Take a note from the lock screen 

• With the feature enabled, simply tap the locked iPad screen with your Apple Pencil.
• A new note will open immediately where you can begin writing or drawing.
• The note is automatically saved in the Notes app and is accessible after you unlock your iPad

If you own an Apple Pencil, a cool gadget you can use with your iPad, you can use it to bypass logging in and opening the notes app. Tap the Apple Pencil that’s connected to your iPad on the display. When the iPad recognizes this tap, it will wake up and open a special note screen. When finished, this note will be saved automatically in your notes app.