You’re actively using Xiaomi’s built-in Notes app, but suddenly you need to find the files themselves — for example, to transfer them to another phone, back up or restore deleted records — unlike many other apps, MIUI doesn’t store notes in obvious folders like Downloads or Documents, and their location depends on the firmware version, phone model, and even the way you sync them (locally or via Mi Account).
In this article, we’ll take a look at all the possible ways Xiaomi can store note files, from standard directories in internal memory to hidden system folders that are only accessible through the use of a single file. ADB You'll also learn how to export notes manually, why they might disappear after resetting settings, and what to do if the app stops displaying them. MIUI 12–14 (including HyperOS) and models from Redmi Note 8 Pro to Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
Standard location of note files in MIUI
By default, the Notes app (com.miui.notes) stores data in two places:
- 📁 Local folder in internal memory: here are stored notes that are not synchronized with Mi Account: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.notes/files/notes/
- ☁️ Mi Cloud: If sync is enabled, notes are duplicated on Xiaomi servers and are not stored as separate files on the device.
It is important to understand that note files in /com.miui.notes/files/notes/ are.note and encrypted – they cannot be opened directly through a standard Explorer.
On some models (e.g. POCO F3 or Redmi K50) the path may be slightly different:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.miui.notes/notes/This is due to changes in the data retention policy implemented in MIUI 13+.
How to find note files through a conductor
To see the folder with notes manually:
- Open any file manager with access to hidden folders (such as Mi File Manager, Solid Explorer, or FX File Explorer).
- Enable the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings (usually the option is called Show Hidden Files).
- Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.notes/ If there is no folder, check the alternative path: /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.miui.notes/
If the com.miui.notes folder is missing, it could mean:
- ❌ You have never created local notes (all data is only in the cloud).
- ❌ Notes app has been reinstalled or reset.
- ❌ The phone uses HyperOS, where the storage structure has changed (see section below).
☑️ Checking for note files
Attention! /Android/data/ is hidden by default from the user without Root permissions. If your Explorer doesn't show it even after you turn on the "hidden files" option, use ADB (instruction in the next section).
Search for notes via ADB (no Root)
If a standard Explorer doesn't give you access to the folder, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that doesn't require superuser rights. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Install. ADB-Drivers on the computer and enable debugging USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → Return to the Additional Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux).
- Follow the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
- Copy Note Files to Your Computer: Adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.notes/files/notes/ C:\Xiaomi_Notes_Backup\ (substitute C:\Xiaomi_Notes_Backup\ pathway).
If /notes/ is empty, try an alternative path:
adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.miui.notes/notes/ C:\Xiaomi_Notes_Backup\💡
If the adb pull command gives the error "Permission denied", try first accessing the adb shell and the command ls /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.notes/ to verify the existence of the folder.
Features of storing notes in HyperOS
With the release of HyperOS (replacing MIUI on new models like Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the structure of the note storage has changed.
/storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.miui.notes/notes_v2/Key differences between HyperOS:
- 🔄 Note files now have an extension.note2 (instead of.note).
- 🔒 Synchronization with Mi Cloud became mandatory – local notes without binding to the account can be automatically deleted after 30 days.
- 📱 In some folder assemblies notes_v2 hidden ADB — Official export is required through the application.
Attention! If you upgrade from MIUI to HyperOS, old notes from /notes/ may not be automatically transferred to save them before updating:
- Back up /com.miui.notes/files/notes/ on your PC.
- After upgrading, import files back through ADB or third-party utilities (such as Mi Note Exporter).
Export and note backup
The most reliable way to save notes is to use the built-in export in the Notes app:
- Open the "Notes»** → press three points (⋮) top-right → Settings.
What to do with the exported file:
- 📤 Transfer to another phone: copy the file to a new device and import through the same Settings menu → Import of notes.
- 🖥️ PC View: Rename the file to.zip, unpack the archive – inside there will be.json files with the contents of the notes.
- ☁️ Backup: Upload the file to Google Drive or Mi Cloud for secure storage.
If the export is not working (for example, due to an application failure), use alternative methods:
| Method | Need a Root? | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exports via the Notes app | ❌ No. | ⭐ | The easiest way, but may not work when data is corrupted. |
| Copying through ADB | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐ | It is suitable for MIUI, but it does not always work in HyperOS. |
| Use of Mi Note Exporter (third party software) | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐ | Requires a connection to a PC, supports decryption of.note files. |
| Manual parsing of the database notes.db | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | For power users, the file is located at /data/data/com.miui.notes/databases/. |
What to do if the exported file is corrupted?
Recovery of deleted notes
If the notes are missing after resetting or accidentally deleting, try the following ways:
- 🔄 Recovery from the basket: in the Notes app, open the menu (⋮) → The deleted notes are stored there for 30 days.
- ☁️ Sync with Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Sync and turn it on. Notes from the cloud will automatically download.
- 📱 Recovery from backup MIUI: If you have been doing backup through Settings → My device. → Backup, restore it (but that will bring all phone settings back to backup date!).
- 🛠️ Using third-party utilities: Programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver can scan internal memory for deleted.note files (Root required).
Attention! If the notes were deleted before syncing with the Mi Cloud, it would be extremely difficult to restore them, in which case the only thing left is scanning the phone's memory at a low level (which requires Root rights and does not guarantee success).
On HyperOS models, the Notes shopping cart may not be available, instead using cloud storage: deleted notes are stored on Xiaomi servers for 60 days and are available through the Mi Cloud web version.
Transfer notes to another Xiaomi phone
To transfer notes from one Xiaomi device to another, use one of the following methods:
- Using Mi Cloud (recommended): On your old phone: Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Sync → Enable Notes. On your new phone: log in to the same Mi Account and wait for sync.
- Through export/import: On your old phone, export notes to the.notes file (see section above). Remove the file to a new phone (e.g., via Bluetooth or Mi Share). On your new phone, import the file through Settings → Note Import.
Through Google Drive
Google Account
- In the Notes app, click ⋮ → Settings → Backup in Google Drive.
- On the new phone, log in to the same Google account and recover the data.
When you transfer between phones with different versions of MIUI/HyperOS (for example, from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13T), there may be compatibility issues.
- First, export notes to.txt or.json through third-party apps (like Note Export).
- Import them to the new device manually.
💡
Synchronization via Mi Cloud is the most reliable way to transfer, but requires a stable Internet connection. If there are many notes (over 1000), the process can take several hours.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Let’s look at the typical situations that users face:
- 🔍 Note folder is empty: Reason: All notes are synced only to Mi Cloud. Solution: enable local notes to be displayed in the app settings or export them from the cloud.
- 🚫 No access to the folder through Explorer: Reason: Android restrictions on access to the /Android/data/. Solution: Use ADB file manager with Root access (e.g. Root Explorer).
- 🔄 Notes are not synced with Mi Cloud: Reason: service failure or lack of internet. Solution: restart Notes app, check Mi Account settings, update MIUI.
- 📱 After the phone reset, the notes disappeared: Reason: No sync with Mi Cloud was enabled.Solution: Restore data from backup MIUI or use file recovery software (e.g., DiskDigger).
If the problem is not resolved, check:
- 📌 Notes version (update it via Play Market or App Store).
- 📌 Free space on the phone (with a lack of memory) MIUI can remove cache of notes).
- 📌 Mi Cloud servers (check status at status.mi.com).