Apple’s Notes app, a staple of iOS and macOS ecosystems, is reportedly set to receive a significant update with the introduction of Markdown support in iOS 26 and macOS 26.

According to a detailed report by 9to5Mac, this feature will allow users to export notes in Markdown format, a lightweight markup language widely used by developers, writers, and power users for its simplicity and compatibility with plain text. This move signals Apple’s intent to cater to a more technical audience, bridging the gap between casual note-taking and professional workflows that rely on structured, portable text formats.

The rumored addition aims to enhance the utility of Apple Notes by enabling users to format text using Markdown syntax—think hashtags for headings or asterisks for bold text—without relying on the app’s existing rich text controls. As 9to5Mac notes, this could streamline workflows for users who frequently share or publish content across platforms that support Markdown, such as GitHub or various blogging tools. However, the implementation appears to be limited to export functionality rather than full in-app editing, a detail that has sparked debate among enthusiasts and industry observers.

A Surprising Critic Emerges

Interestingly, one of the most vocal critics of this rumored feature is John Gruber, the co-creator of Markdown itself. Gruber, who developed the language in 2004 alongside Aaron Swartz to simplify web content creation, has expressed significant reservations about Apple’s approach. Writing on his influential blog Daring Fireball, Gruber argues that transforming Apple Notes into a Markdown editor, even partially, could undermine the app’s core strength: its simplicity and reliability for everyday users.

He contends that Markdown, while powerful, is prone to syntax errors that could result in “malformed” notes—something antithetical to the seamless, foolproof experience Apple Notes currently offers. Gruber emphasizes that Notes is designed for quick, casual jotting, not for crafting complex documents, as he does for his own blog. As Daring Fireball highlights, introducing Markdown risks alienating the app’s broader user base by complicating an otherwise intuitive tool with technical nuances.

Balancing Innovation and Usability

Apple’s decision to integrate Markdown support, if confirmed, reflects a broader trend of adapting native apps to meet the demands of power users while maintaining mainstream appeal. The export feature could be a compromise—offering compatibility without altering the core editing experience. Yet, Gruber’s critique raises a valid concern: will this open the door to feature bloat in an app celebrated for its minimalism?

Moreover, his reaction underscores a philosophical divide in tech design. Should tools prioritize accessibility for all, or cater to niche, technical needs? Gruber’s stance, as articulated on Daring Fireball, leans toward the former, warning that Apple risks diluting Notes’ universal appeal. As the tech community awaits official confirmation at events like WWDC, this debate highlights the delicate balance Apple must strike between innovation and preserving user trust.

Looking Ahead

The potential addition of Markdown export in Apple Notes could redefine its role in productivity suites, positioning it as a competitor to third-party apps like Obsidian or Bear. However, with critics like Gruber voicing dissent, Apple faces scrutiny over how this feature will be implemented without compromising the app’s ethos.

As reported by 9to5Mac, iOS 26’s broader updates suggest Apple is doubling down on enhancing user control across its ecosystem. Whether Markdown support will be a celebrated evolution or a misstep remains to be seen, but Gruber’s perspective ensures this change won’t go unchallenged.