How to keep notes on top on a Mac
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1. Stickies: Float on Top
- Open Stickies (in Applications).
- Click the note you want to keep in view.
- Choose Window › Float on Top.
The note now stays above other windows, until an app goes full screen: full-screen apps get their own Space, and the note stays behind on the desktop.
2. Notes: Keep on Top
- In Notes, double-click a note in the list to open it in its own window.
- With that window in front, choose Window › Keep on Top. On older versions of macOS this is called Float on Top.
The same limit applies: it doesn't stay over full-screen apps, and the menu item only appears while the note's own window is selected.
3. Over full-screen apps too
To keep notes in view while you work in full screen, you need an app whose windows join every Space. Stickytray does this from the menu bar:
- Notes float above every app, on every Space, in full screen and with Stage Manager.
- ⌃⌥N opens a note at the pointer from any app; ⌃⌥H hides them all.
- Notes are hidden from screen sharing in most apps.
Which should you use?
If you only need a note above ordinary windows, Stickies or Notes is enough and free. If you work in full-screen apps, share your screen, or want a note one keystroke away, use a floating notes app. Stickytray vs Stickies.
Questions
Why does my sticky note disappear when I go full screen?
A full-screen app gets its own Space. Stickies and Notes windows stay on the desktop's Space, so they vanish behind it. Only apps whose windows join every Space, like Stickytray, stay visible.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to float a note on top?
Not in Stickies or Notes. In Stickytray every note floats on top already, and ⌃⌥N opens a new one at the pointer from any app.
Can I keep a note on top on every desktop?
Stickies can be assigned to All Desktops from its Dock menu (Options › All Desktops), but that still excludes full-screen apps. Stickytray notes are on every Space, full-screen ones included.