You've created an important note on a Xiaomi smartphone, but you can't find it now? Or you accidentally deleted it and want to restore it? The problem with finding notes on Redmi, POCO or Mi devices is more common than you think, because the manufacturer uses several different notes apps — and each stores data in its own way.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible storage locations on Xiaomi smartphones, from the standard Notes app to third-party services like Google Keep or Mi Cloud, where the note files are physically stored in the phone’s memory, how to export them, and what to do if the record is lost after resetting, and a unique way to find hidden notes that are not displayed in the main list.
1.Standard app "Notes" from Xiaomi
Most users create notes through the built-in Notes app (yellow notebook icon) preinstalled on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI. Here's how to find the stored records:
Open the Notes app → all records are sorted by date of change. If the note is not displayed:
- 🔍 Check the Archive section (box icon in the top menu).
- 🗑️ Check the Recycle Bin (deleted notes are stored there for 30 days).
- 📁 Press three points. → All the notes to see the hidden categories.
If the app has been removed, restore it through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Installed → Notes. On some models (e.g. POCO F5), notes can be integrated into Mi Account – check sync in your account settings.
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Sync notes with Mi Cloud: Open the app → click on the avatar → turn on the “Sync” option. This will protect the data when you reset your phone.
2. Where note files are stored in the phone's memory
Physically, notes from the standard Xiaomi application are stored in a secure folder, accessed only through root rights or special tools.
/data/data/com.miui.notes/files/notes/Without root, you can export notes manually:
- Open the Notes app.
- Select a note → click on three points → Export.
- The file is saved in.txt or.zip format in the Download folder.
For mass export:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → 5 times press the version MIUI, activate the developer mode.
- 🔧 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Turn on Debugging. USB.
- 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and use it ADB-Command: Adb pull /data/data/com.miui.notes/files/notes/ C:\Xiaomi_Notes
How to get root access to work with system folders?
3. Search for notes through Mi Cloud (Xiaomi cloud)
If your Xiaomi has Mi Cloud sync enabled, your notes are automatically backed up in the cloud to find them:
Step 1: Go to i.mi.com and log in with the same account as you did on your phone.
Step 2. From the menu, select Notes → here you will see all synchronized entries.
Step 3. To restore the deleted note, press the Recycle Bin (stored for 30 days).
| Action. | Where to find | Storage period |
|---|---|---|
| Active notes | i.mi.com → Notes | No restrictions. |
| Deleted notes | i.mi.com → Notes → Recycle Bin | 30 days |
| Archival notes | Appendix Notes → Archive | No restrictions. |
Yes, always | No, I don't trust clouds | Only important records | I don't know how it works-->
Attention! If you reset your phone to factory settings without detaching your Mi Account, your notes from the cloud will automatically recover when you reauthorize, but notes created offline (without the Internet) may not sync.
4. Notes in Google Keep and other third-party apps
Many users install alternative apps for notes, such as:
- 📝 Google Keep – Notes synced with your Google account (check keep.google.com).
- 📱 ColorNote – Files are stored in /storage/emulated/0/ColorNote.
- 📌 Evernote or OneNote – Data in the Cloud.
To find notes from third-party apps:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the right application (e.g. Keep) → Storage → File Management.
- Export data via the app menu (usually Settings → Export).
Check the list of installed apps in Settings
Open each app for notes in turn
Export data in.txt or.pdf format
Check sync with the cloud (Google, Evernote, etc.)-->
Some POCO models (such as the POCO X5 Pro) have Google Keep preinstalled instead of the standard Xiaomi Notes. If you don't remember which app you used, check your installation history on Google Play:
play.google.com/store/account → Order history5. Recovery of deleted notes
If the note is missing, try these methods:
Method 1. Through the basket
In the standard Notes app, deleted records are stored for 30 days. Open the Recycle Bin (urn icon at the top menu) → select a note → click Restore.
Method 2. Through a backup of MIUI
If you have done backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup, recover the data:
- Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
- Select the backup file (.mbk extension).
- Check the Notes and start the recovery.
Method 3: Through recovery programs
For devices without root suitable:
- 🔄 DiskDigger (seeks deleted files in memory).
- 📱 GT Recovery (specializes in data) MIUI).
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The faster you start recovering from deletion, the better the chances of getting a note back. Each new entry in the phone's memory reduces the likelihood of success.
⚠️ Attention! Don't install recovery software on the same memory partition where the notes were stored. This can overwrite deleted data. Use a memory card or another phone.
6. Transfer of Notes to a PC or other Phone
To save notes off the phone, use these methods:
Method 1. Manual export
In the Notes app, select the entry → Export → specify the format (.txt or.zip). The file will be saved in Downloads.
Method 2: Synchronization with Mi Cloud
Enable sync (as described in Section 3), then log in to Mi Cloud on PC and download notes in.html format.
Method 3: Transmission via USB
Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer mode → Find the folder:
/Internal Storage/MIUI/Notes/Copy files with the.note extension.
Method 4: Postal delivery
Open the note → click Share → select Gmail or another messenger.
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For mass transfer, use Mi Mover (a Xiaomi data migration app) to copy notes, contacts and SMS to a new phone over Wi-Fi.
7 Hidden notes and protected records
MIUI 12/13/14 has a hidden note feature that doesn't appear in the main list.
- Open the Notes app.
- Click on the avatar in the top corner → Hidden notes.
- Enter your password (if you have set it).
If you have forgotten the password for hidden notes:
- 🔐 Try resetting it through Settings → Passwords and security → Private regime.
- 📱 On the old versions. MIUI (MIUI 11 and below) the password is reset via the settings reset, but this will delete all data!
Secure notes can also be stored in Second Space to check:
Settings → Special Opportunities → Private Mode⚠️ Attention! On some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12) hidden notes are encrypted with a link to the Mi Account.