Where Xiaomi Stores Notes: File Paths, Backups, and Recovery

Are you actively using the Notes app on Xiaomi’s smartphone, but it stopped working, data disappeared after a reset or update? Or just want to know where your records are physically stored to back up manually? In this article, we will take a detailed look at all possible storage locations on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices – from standard paths in memory to cloud services.

It’s important to understand that file location varies by MIUI version, smartphone model, and even firmware region. We’ll look at current data for MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions), and we’ll also point out the differences for older versions. If you use third-party note-taking apps (like Google Keep or OneNote), their data is stored under different rules — we’ll talk about that too.

We warn you in advance that some file paths are hidden from the user and you will need root rights or special tools like ADB to access them. But don’t worry, we will give alternative backup methods without deep technical skills.

1. Standard Notes app in MIUI: where data is stored

By default, Xiaomi uses its own Notes app (com.miui.notes), which stores data in two places:

• 📱 Local device memory – note files are stored in a secure folder of the system, not available without root rights.
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud – syncs automatically if the appropriate option is enabled in the settings.

The main note database file is called notes.db and is located along the path:

/data/data/com.miui.notes/databases/notes.db

This file contains all your records in encrypted form. Without root access, you can't copy it, but you can back up through the application settings or MIUI Backup.

If you use the Chinese version of MIUI, the path may be different: sometimes notes are stored in the /data/user/0/com.miui.notes folder. Also in some firmware, data is duplicated in /sdcard/MIUI/backup/Notes/ – check this path through any file manager (for example, Mi File Explorer).

2. How to find notes manually: step-by-step instructions

If you need to manually copy notes (for example, before resetting your phone), follow this instruction.

Install the drivers. ADB PC-only|Put the debugging on. USB developer-setting|Connect the phone to the computer|Start the command line (Terminal)-->

1. Enable debugging over USB:

Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times to activate Developer Mode. Then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on Debugging over USB.

2. Connect the phone to the PC and execute the command to copy the database:

adb backup -f notes_backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all -system com.miui.notes

This team will create a file. notes_backup.ab It can be restored by adb restore.

Alternative method (only for MIUI 12+):

Open “Notes” and go to Settings. → Backup and select Export to file. The system will create an archive notes_backup_YYYYMMDD.zip download.

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If the ADB command doesn’t work, try reinstalling drivers or using the Mi PC Suite program to back up.

3. Cloud Storage of Notes: How Synchronization Works

By default, Xiaomi syncs notes to the Mi Cloud, which means that your records are automatically backed up on the company's servers and can be restored even after a phone is reset.

• 🔄 Synchronization is manually enabled: go to Notes → Settings → Synchronize and log in to Mi Account.
• 📡 It requires the Internet to work. If you create a note offline, it syncs when you next connect it.
• 🗃️ The cloud only stores text notes. Attachments (photos, audio) may not be saved.

To check if your notes are synchronized:

1. Open i.mi.com and log in to your account.
2. Go to the Notes section, if it is missing, sync is disabled.
3. Try to create a test note on your phone and update the page in the browser – it should appear in 1-2 minutes.

If you don’t have notes in the cloud, but sync is enabled, try:

Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Synchronization → Update

4.Differences between models: where to look for notes on Redmi, POCO and Black Shark

While all Xiaomi smartphones run on MIUI, the location of the note files may vary depending on the brand and model.

On POCO devices with POCO Launcher firmware, the path to notes may be different due to a modified shell. If standard methods don't work, try:

1. Install the original Notes app** from the Mi App Store (not from Google Play!).

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On Black Shark devices, before backing up notes, turn off the performance mode in the settings - it can block access to system files.

5. Recovery of deleted notes: possible ways

If you accidentally delete a note, don't despair, you can try to restore it. Here are all the methods available, from simple to complex:

If the note was deleted long ago and the cart is empty, try the following method (root required):

1. Install SQLite Editor from Google Play.


2. Open the database /data/data/com.miui.notes/databases/notes.db.




3. Go to the note table and find the entry with deleted = 1 status.




4. Change deleted to 0 and save.

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Before recovering via SQLite, back up the notes.db file – improper editing can result in the loss of all notes!

If nothing helps, check if sync with Google Drive is enabled (on some firmware Xiaomi duplicates notes there).

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync.
2. Make sure that the Notes (or Drive) item is enabled.
3. Check the Backup/Notes folder in your Google Drive.

6. Alternative Note-taking Apps: Where They Store Data

If you use a third-party app, rather than a standard Notes app (like Google Keep, OneNote or ColorNote), the data is stored under different rules.

To back up notes from third-party applications:

• 📲 In most cases, it is enough to enable sync with the cloud (for example, Google Keep automatically saves everything to your Google account).
• 💾 For local reservations, use the built-in export (usually in.txt,.json or.zip format).
• 🔄 If the application supports automatic backup, check the settings: for example, in ColorNote this is Settings. → Backup → Autopreservation.

Important: If you delete a third-party note-taking app, its data is deleted with it (unless synchronization is enabled), and can only be restored through a system backup or specialized utilities.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Xiaomi users often face problems when working with notes, and we have collected the most common cases and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Notes are missing, don't try to reset your phone right away! First check for backup in the /MIUI/backup/ cloudy.

• 🔄 Notes are out of sync with the cloud: Check your Internet connection. Update Notes app** in the Mi App Store. Go to Mi Account (Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Account → Get out, then go back in).
• 📱 Notes app does not open: Clear cache (Settings) → Annexes → Notes → Clear cache. Delete app updates (if installed via Google Play). Reinstall APK from the official Xiaomi website.

I can't find a folder with notes:

1. Use Root Explorer or ADB to access /data/data/.
2. Check if the folder is hidden (enable the display of hidden files in the file manager settings).

If the problem is not resolved, try rolling back the MIUI version (if notes are missing after the update) or contact Xiaomi with error logs to collect them:

1. Include Settings → Additional → For developers → Error Log.


2. Reproduce the problem (for example, try opening notes).




3. Save the log through Settings → Additional → Error Report.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions