Aa button in notes on ipad disappears

If your iPad is not operating as expected, try a forced-restart - as this will often clear an isolated software issue:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

If the problem persists after performing the restart, it may be necessary to reset your iPad settings. While this reset will not cause any loss of data, as a precaution, it is always wise to ensure that you have a current iCloud or iTunes backup before performing the reset:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

When you are happy to proceed, you can perform the reset from iPad settings:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings

If the problem still doesn’t clear, the next step is to reset the iPad to factory settings:

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

Otherwise, you would be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively and perhaps easier, you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your iPad, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to assist:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

I had the same issue. Aa button seemed to randomly disappear. Exiting the note and reselecting brought it back briefly but then it would go again. If you expand the note to full screen (click on diagonal arrows), Aa reappears so seems to be a space/display issue on the toolbar. As a workaround, you can click on ( …) then select customise toolbar then move (drag) Aa so it is the first of the 4 options on the toolbar (default for Aa appears to be 4th position). You will still occasionally ‘lose’ whatever you then have as the 4th option (expanding to full screen gets it back) so make sure that is the least used tool.

Exactly the same for me Moxie. I use the Aa icon a lot to format text differently within a note, but it’s not there half the time now in iOS 18. Hugely frustrating.

The Notes text formatting button (aA) is only active when the cursor is active within the Note (i.e., you must click/tap somewhere within the Note).