How to Add Sticky Notes to Desktop on Mac

To add sticky notes to your Mac desktop, open the built-in Stickies app. Click on File and then select New Note to create a new note where you can jot down lists, reminders, and anything else you need to remember.

What are sticky notes on Mac

On Mac, sticky notes can be accessed through Stickies, a default app included with any macOS device. These notes appear as small windows resembling traditional Post-it notes. They’re perfect for jotting down lists, reminders, login details, and any other information you want to keep easily accessible.

To further personalize your desktop, learn how to add widgets to your Mac.

Why use sticky notes on Mac

There are several reasons to add sticky notes to your desktop Mac. They can be useful for jotting down quick ideas, taking notes during meetings, and keeping your to-do tasks easily visible. Essentially, they can replace paper notes and help improve your workflow.

To further boost your productivity and efficiency on your Mac, we also recommend organizing all your files. Check out our guide on how to make a new folder on a Mac.

A note from our experts: 

 

Nothing disrupts your productivity on a Mac quite like a slow and cluttered startup. The best way to address this issue is by using MacKeeper’s Login Items feature. This tool allows you to remove any apps and items you don’t want to launch automatically when you start your Mac, resulting in a faster loading process.

 

Follow our instructions to use MacKeeper’s Login Items:

1. Launch MacKeeper on your Mac.
2. Select Login Items from the left-hand sidebar.
3. Click Start Scan.
4. Click the grid icon and sort the items as you prefer.
5. Check the boxes to select the items you wish to remove.
6. Click Remove Selected Items.

How to put sticky notes on Mac desktop

There isn’t just one way to add sticky notes to your Mac desktop. The most popular method is using Stickies, the built-in macOS app, but there are also several interesting third-party alternatives that offer even more features.

To enhance your sticky notes experience, we suggest checking out our tips on how to clear your Mac home screen to make space for your Post-it notes.

1. Add sticky notes to desktop on Mac using built-in app

To add a sticky note using the Stickies app, open the app from Spotlight. In the menu bar, click on File and then select New Note. A new note will appear, allowing you to start writing right away. This note will automatically be “stuck” on your desktop.

Here are the steps to use Stickies on Mac:

1. Search Stickies using Spotlight, then press Enter to open.
2. In the menu bar, click on File.
3. Select New Note from the dropdown menu.

A hint from our team: 

 

By default, the sticky note is the classic yellow color of Post-it notes, but you can change it. In the menu bar, go to Color and select your favorite option, including blue, green, pink, purple, and gray. You can also customize the note’s font by selecting the Font menu. Stickies allows you to choose the font type, size, color, and formatting options.

 

Use the following step-by-step guide to customize your sticky note:

1. Select the note you want to edit.
2. In the menu bar, click on Color.
3. Select the color you wish to use from the following: yellow, blue, green, pink, purple, and gray.
4. Next, go to Font.
5. Use the dropdown menu to access the font settings, including size, color, type, and formatting.

2. Put sticky notes to desktop Mac using third-party application

In our opinion, you shouldn’t settle for Stickies. While it’s a decent option, we recommend exploring the market further before making your choice. Consider alternatives such as Memo, Simplenote, and the Post-it App. All of them are easily downloadable from the Mac App Store.

From our experience, one significant disadvantage of Stickies is that the built-in app doesn’t sync notes natively across all your Macs. In contrast, the alternatives we mentioned include this syncing functionality at no additional cost. Moreover, third-party apps allow you to export your notes in more useful formats, such as PDF, and upload them to cloud services. Some even enable you to add handwritten notes and drawings.

How to manage sticky notes on Mac

Stickies is a simple app, but it offers several options for managing your sticky notes. Beyond just changing the font color and size, you can customize your Stickies notes in several ways. Let’s explore how to manage your notes below:

To maintain a tidy desktop, it’s essential to manage your notes effectively. However, we also recommend following our tips for finding the best way to organize files on a Mac.

Put sticky notes on desktop Mac now!

Sticky notes are an excellent way to keep important information readily accessible. They can be used for anything from taking notes during a crucial meeting to storing login details for your online accounts or creating a to-do list. While there are more comprehensive alternatives available, macOS includes a built-in tool called Stickies.

To maintain a tidy and clutter-free Mac, we also recommend enhancing your productivity by using MacKeeper’s Login Items feature. This tool allows you to remove any unnecessary items that automatically load when you start your computer, helping to speed up the boot process and improve overall performance.