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OneNote for Mac is Microsoft’s free note-taking application designed for Mac users. It lets you capture ideas, organize notes into notebooks and sections, and access them across all your devices by syncing to OneDrive. Unlike the web version, the desktop app offers full offline access, a rich editing toolbar, and advanced features like ink support and multimedia embedding.
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You can download OneNote for Mac as a standalone free app or get it included with Microsoft 365 and Office suite packages. To use it, you’ll need a free Microsoft account and a Mac running macOS 14.0 or later.
In this guide
- System requirements for OneNote on Mac
- How to download and install the app
- Setting up your Microsoft account
- Key features and capabilities
- Free tier versus Microsoft 365 premium features
- Troubleshooting common issues
- Frequently asked questions
System Requirements for OneNote for Mac
OneNote for Mac requires specific hardware and software specifications to run properly. Before downloading, verify that your Mac meets these minimum requirements.
Operating System
Your Mac must run macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later to install the current version from the Mac App Store. If you’re using an older Mac with Monterey (12.x) or Ventura (13.x), you’ll need to upgrade your operating system first, or use OneNote for the web instead.
Hardware Specifications
You’ll need:
- A Mac with a 64-bit processor (Intel or Apple Silicon)
- At least 4 GB of RAM
- At least 1.5 to 3 GB of available disk space for installation
Additional Requirements
OneNote for Mac requires an active internet connection for cloud syncing and a free Microsoft account. While you can use the app offline, syncing to OneDrive demands internet access and a valid Microsoft account.
How to Download and Install OneNote for Mac
There are two main ways to get OneNote for Mac: through the Mac App Store as a standalone app, or as part of the Microsoft Office suite.
Option 1: Mac App Store (Quickest)
- Open the Mac App Store on your Mac.
- Click the search icon and type OneNote.
- Find the Microsoft OneNote app in the results.
- Click Get, then Install.
- Authenticate with your Apple ID if prompted.
- Wait for the download and installation to complete—this typically takes 2–5 minutes depending on your connection.
- Once installed, click Open or find OneNote in your Applications folder and launch it.
Option 2: Microsoft Office Suite Download
If you want OneNote for Mac along with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, download the full Office suite:
- Visit office.com in a web browser.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account (create one free if needed).
- Look for the Install Office button on the home page and click it.
- A file named MicrosoftOfficeInstaller.pkg will download to your Downloads folder.
- Double-click the installer file.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install all Office apps, including OneNote for Mac.
- Sign in when prompted to activate your apps.
Setting Up OneNote for Mac
After installation, launching OneNote for Mac requires a few quick setup steps.
Signing In
- Open OneNote from your Applications folder or Dock.
- You’ll see a sign-in screen. Enter your Microsoft account email address.
- Enter your password when prompted.
- If you don’t have a Microsoft account, click Sign up to create one free.
- Once signed in, OneNote for Mac will automatically sync with your OneDrive and display any existing notebooks.
Understanding Cloud Sync
OneNote for Mac continuously syncs your notes with OneDrive. This happens automatically—there’s no manual save or sync button. Every change you make appears on your phone, tablet, web browser, and other devices within seconds to minutes, depending on your connection speed.
Creating Your First Notebook
- After signing in, click the + icon or New Notebook button.
- Give your notebook a name (e.g., “Work Notes” or “Personal Ideas”).
- Choose where to store it—typically OneDrive (recommended for syncing).
- Click Create.
- Your notebook will appear in the left sidebar. You can now add sections and pages inside it.
OneNote for Mac: Free vs. Premium Features
OneNote for Mac is completely free to download and use with a free Microsoft account. The free version includes all core note-taking tools, including typed notes, text formatting, image insertion, audio notes, tags, search, and seamless syncing across devices.
| Feature | Free OneNote for Mac | Microsoft 365 Subscriber |
|---|---|---|
| Basic note-taking and formatting | Yes | Yes |
| Images, audio, and file attachments | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud sync to OneDrive | Yes | Yes |
| OneDrive storage | 5 GB (shared) | 1 TB (Personal) or up to 6 TB (Family) |
| Stickers and decorative elements | No | Yes |
| Copilot AI integration | No | Yes |
| Full Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) | No | Yes |
When to Consider Microsoft 365
If you take notes heavily with many images, audio recordings, or video clips, you may eventually use more than the free 5 GB OneDrive storage. Microsoft 365 Personal starts at $9.99/month (or $99.99/year) and gives you 1 TB of storage plus the full Office suite. Families can choose Microsoft 365 Family for $12.99/month (or $129.99/year) and share up to 6 TB across six people.
Key Features of OneNote for Mac
OneNote for Mac provides a full set of tools for organizing and sharing notes.
Note Organization
Create a hierarchical structure with notebooks at the top level, sections inside notebooks, and individual pages within sections. This structure is more flexible than simple folders and makes finding information easier as you accumulate notes over time.
Multimedia Support
Insert images, audio recordings, video clips, and file attachments directly into your pages. OneNote for Mac supports common formats including images (PNG, JPG, GIF), audio (MP3, M4A), and documents (PDF, Office files).
Handwriting and Ink
If you use an external stylus or trackpad, OneNote for Mac allows you to draw, sketch, and write handwritten notes. The app supports freehand drawing with various pen styles and colors.
Text Recognition in Images
OneNote for Mac uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to extract text from pictures you insert. Highlight text from an image and paste it into your notes or other applications—useful for capturing printed text or whiteboard photos.
Search and Tags
Use full-text search across all your notebooks to find notes by content. Apply custom tags to pages and notes (like #Important, #Review, #Personal) to quickly filter and organize information.
Collaboration and Sharing
Share notebooks with colleagues, classmates, or family members. They can view and edit shared notebooks in real time, and all changes sync instantly. This makes OneNote for Mac great for team projects, study groups, and household planning.
Common Issues and Fixes
App Won’t Sync
If your notes aren’t syncing to OneDrive, check your internet connection first. Restart OneNote for Mac and sign out, then sign back in. If sync still fails, go to OneNote > Preferences > General and verify your Microsoft account is correctly linked.
Can’t Install on Older Mac
The current version requires macOS 14.0 or later. If your Mac runs an older system, you have two options: upgrade your Mac’s operating system (if the hardware supports it), or use OneNote for the web at onenote.com. The web version runs in any modern browser without installation.
Storage Full
The free 5 GB OneDrive storage is shared with all your Microsoft files, not just OneNote. If you hit the limit, delete large files or images from OneDrive, or upgrade to Microsoft 365 for more space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OneNote for Mac truly free?
Yes. OneNote for Mac is completely free to download from the Mac App Store and free to use. You only need a free Microsoft account to sign in. Microsoft 365 subscriptions are optional and only unlock premium features like extra storage and decorative stickers—all core note-taking functionality is free.
Can I use OneNote for Mac offline?
Yes. OneNote for Mac keeps a local cache of your notes on your Mac, so you can view and edit them without internet access. When you reconnect, any changes automatically sync to OneDrive and your other devices.
Do I need Microsoft 365 to use OneNote for Mac?
No. OneNote for Mac works perfectly without a Microsoft 365 subscription. A free Microsoft account is all you need. The subscription is optional and only adds premium features like Copilot AI and extra OneDrive storage.
Can I export my OneNote notebooks?
OneNote for Mac does not have a built-in export feature like the Windows version. Your best options are to manually copy and paste notes into another app, or export individual pages as PDF by using File > Print > Save as PDF. For full notebook export, you’d need to use OneNote for Windows.
How is OneNote for Mac different from OneNote on Windows?
Both versions are free and sync the same notebooks through OneDrive, but OneNote for Mac has a slightly different interface and lacks some advanced features available on Windows, such as the built-in export function and certain advanced formatting options. Most day-to-day features are identical, and new updates bring Mac and Windows versions closer together over time.
Conclusion
OneNote for Mac is a powerful, free note-taking solution for Mac users who want seamless syncing across devices and collaboration with others. Whether you’re a student taking class notes, a professional managing project ideas, or simply organizing your thoughts, it offers an intuitive structure and rich multimedia support. Download it from the Mac App Store, sign in with your free Microsoft account, and start organizing your notes today.
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