Hidden notes in Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones are not always the result of user actions, often due to failures in the standard Notes app, synchronization errors with Mi Cloud, or even viruses that mask files as system. Unlike normal records that are stored in the /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Notes folder, hidden ones can be in protected areas of memory where access is limited even for file managers.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to detect such notes, from simple (check archive in Notes) to complex (work with ADB and restore deleted files). Particular attention will be paid to the method using backups of Mi Cloud, which works even if the note was deleted months ago. All instructions are relevant for devices on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, including Xiaomi models 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5/X5.
1. Check the archive and basket in the standard app “Notes”
The first thing to do is make sure that the note is not accidentally archived or sent to the trash. In MIUI, these functions do not work clearly: for example, archival notes do not appear in the main list, and the basket is cleared automatically after 30 days.
To check:
- 📱 Open the Notes app** (yellow notebook icon).
- 🔍 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → select Archives.
- 🗑️ Go back and select the Recycle Bin (if the note was deleted less than a month ago).
- 🔄 If a note is found, click on it. → Restore.
If the archive or basket is empty, move on to the next method. Please note that some firmware (e.g. HyperOS for global models) may not have Archives, in which case use alternative methods.
2.File Manager Search: Where to store notes physically
All notes in Xiaomi are stored as encrypted.db or.json files in system folders, accessed through any root file manager (such as MiXplorer or Solid Explorer), but more often than not, a standard Explorer is enough.
Instructions:
- Open Explorer** (or install MiXplorer from Google Play).
SQLite Browser
.db
.json
⚠️ Note: Do not edit files directly in the folder /data/data/ — This can cause the Notes app to crash, and you better copy them to a safe place before you analyze them.
☑️ What to do before working with system files
3. Recover deleted notes via Mi Cloud
Mi Cloud automatically syncs notes, but not all users know that the web version of the service can restore data from the last 30 days — even if it is deleted from the phone.
Step-by-step:
- Go to i.mi.com and log in.
- Select the Notes tab (Notes).
- Click on the icon. ⚙️ Settings → Basket.
- Find the right note and click Restore.
- If you don’t have notes in your cart, try Exporting Data → Notes (available in the Data Management section).
💡 Useful tip: If the note was deleted a long time ago, try to restore it through the archived versions of backups. → Backups and select the backup you made before you delete the note. Recovery takes up to 10 minutes.
| Method of recovery | Root is required. | Max, recovery time. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archive/Basket in "Notes" | ❌ No. | 30 days | ⭐ |
| File manager | ⚠️ Partially. | No restrictions. | ⭐⭐ |
| Mi Cloud (web) | ❌ No. | 30–90 days | ⭐ |
| ADB-team | ⚠️ For some teams | No restrictions. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Third-party utilities (DiskDigger) | ❌ No. | Before the data is rewritten | ⭐⭐⭐ |
4.Use ADB to access hidden data
If the note is not found in the standard ways, you can try to extract it through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for power users and requires connecting the phone to a PC.
Instructions:
- Enable USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
- Connect your phone to your PC and open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux).
- Enter the commands: adb shell su cd /data/data/com.miui.notes/databases/ls You will see a list of database files (e.g. notes.db).
- Copy the file on PC: Adb pull /data/data/com.miui.notes/databases/notes.db C:\notes_backup\
- Open notes.db via SQLite Browser and find the note or notes table.
⚠️ Attention: Su commands require root rights. If they don't, use an alternative route:
adb pull /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Notes/ C:\notes_backup\This method is less effective, but does not require root access.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
5. Recovering deleted notes with third-party utilities
If the note was permanently deleted (e.g., the cart is cleaned and backups are not), you can try to restore it with data recovery software.
- 🔧 DiskDigger – scans internal memory for file residues.
- 🔧 EaseUS MobiSaver – Supports recovery of notes from.db files.
- 🔧 Dr.Fone – paid, but with a high percentage of successful recovery.
How to use DiskDigger:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Select Full Scan (requires root).
- After scanning, filter the results by Documents or Database type.
- Look for files with notes names, miui_notes or extension of.db.
- Save the files you find and open them through SQLite Browser.
💡 Tip: The less you use your phone after you delete a note, the better the chances of recovering it.
6.Verify for viruses and hidden folders
Sometimes notes hide viruses or malicious applications by masking them as system files, such as the Android.Triada Trojan can create hidden folders with names similar to MIUI/Notes, but with different content.
How to check:
- 🛡️ Scan your phone with an antivirus (Malwarebytes or Dr.Web).
- 🔍 In the file manager, enable the display of hidden folders: Settings → Show hidden files
- 🕵️ Check the folders: /storage/emulated/0/.notes_backup/ /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.notes/ /sdcard/.miui_hidden/ (if SD-map).
If you find suspicious files (such as those with the.apk extension in your notebook folder), delete them and restart your phone.
💡
If the note is missing after you install a new app, it's likely a virus, delete all the newly installed programs, and scan your phone.