Switching from Honor to Xiaomi is a big step, especially if you're actively using notes for work, school or personal matters. The main fear of changing your device is to lose important information accumulated over months or years. Fortunately, there are several reliable ways to carry notes, and we'll take a look at each of them in detail, from standard tools to little-known life hacks.
In this article, you will find 5 current methods of data migration, including cloud services, third-party applications and manual export.We took into account the features of the latest versions of MIUI (up to the 15th) and Magic UI (up to 8.0), as well as the nuances of working with popular models from Redmi Note 12 to Honor 90. Whether you use the standard Notes app or third-party solutions like Google Keep, here is a solution for your case.
1.Move over the Huawei cloud (for standard Honor notes)
If you’ve used the built-in Notes app on Honor, chances are your data has been synced to the Huawei Cloud, a technique that works for most Honor models (including the Magic, View, and Play series) and allows you to move notes to Xiaomi in a few steps.
Important: Before you start, check if sync is enabled. Go to Settings → Accounts → Huawei ID → Cloud → Sync notes. If the option is disabled, turn it on and wait for the process to complete.
- 📱 Step 1. On Honor, open the Notes app and make sure all data is uploaded to the cloud (the cloud icon in the top corner should be active).
- 🌐 Step 2: On your Xiaomi computer or phone, go to the Huawei Cloud website and log in to the same Huawei account. ID.
- 📄 Step 3: In the Notes section, select Export (usually available in the... menu or right mouse button) and the system will prompt you to save data in.zip or.html format.
- 📲 Step 4: Transfer the downloaded file to Xiaomi (via Telegram, email or cable) and import it to Xiaomi’s Notes app or Google Keep.
⚠️ Note: If you have two-factor authentication in Huawei ID, Signing in to a new device will require confirmation through SMS Prepare access to the old phone number in advance!
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If Huawei Cloud doesn’t offer a convenient format for exporting, try copying the text of notes manually through editing mode on the web version of the cloud.
2.Using Google Keep for cross-platform porting
Google Keep is a one-stop solution for syncing notes across devices across platforms, and if you haven't used it yet, now is the time to try it out, and it's suitable for all Honor and Xiaomi models, including POCO and Black Shark.
The advantage of Google Keep is that it automatically syncs with a Google account that is most likely already tied to your Xiaomi, so that once you set up with Honor, notes will appear on the new device without any further manipulation.
- 📲 Step 1: Install Google Keep on Honor via AppGallery or APKMirror (if you don’t have access to Google Play).
- 🔄 Step 2. Sign in to the app under the same Google account you use on Xiaomi.
- ➕ Step 3: Manually copy text from standard Honor notes to Google Keep (or use the Share feature» → «Keep" from the note menu).
- 🔍 Step 4: On Xiaomi, install Google Keep (if not preinstalled) and update the data – all notes will appear automatically.
| Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|
| Automatic synchronization | Manual entry of notes with a large volume |
| Access from any device | Limited formatting (no tables, complex lists) |
| Integration with other Google services (Docs, Gmail) | Requires a stable internet for synchronization |
3.Export notes to file and import to Xiaomi
If you prefer to back up notes as a file, this is the method for you. Most note-taking apps (including those standard from Honor and Xiaomi) support export to.txt,.html or.zip formats. The main advantage is that you control the process and can store the copy on multiple media.
On Honor, exports are available via the Notes app menu: Settings → Export/Import → Export Notes. On Xiaomi, the path may differ depending on the MIUI version, but it's usually Profile → Settings → Import. If the standard app doesn't support imports, use Google Keep or Notion as an intermediate.
Make sure all notes are saved (no drafts)
Check the free space on the device (export creates temporary files)
Connect your phone to charge (for long-term operations)
Download the file to a reliable medium (not only in the memory of the phone)-->
⚠️ Note: When exporting to.html, formatting (fat text, lists, colors) is better maintained than in.txt. However, some characters (e.g. emoji or Cyrillic) may not display correctly!
If the standard Notes app on Xiaomi does not support import, use the workaround:
- Open the exported file in any text editor (e.g. Google Docs).
- Copy the content and paste it into a new note in Google Keep or Notion.
- On Xiaomi, install the same app and sync the data.
4. Transfer through third-party applications (Notion, Evernote, OneNote)
Note-based apps often offer more flexible migration tools than standard solutions, and consider three popular options:
- 📌 Notion: Supports imports from.html,.md (Markdown),.csv and even.pdf. Perfect if you want a structure with databases, tables and nested pages. Minus - takes time to set up.
- 🐘 Evernote: Classic.enex export/import solution (proprietary format) is well suited for large volumes of tagged notes.
- 📓 OneNote (Microsoft): Integrated with the Windows ecosystem, supports handwriting and complex formatting.Export is available via File → Exports → Page/Notepad.
A common algorithm for all applications:
- Install the selected application on Honor and log in.
- Import notes from the standard app (via Share or manual input).
- On Xiaomi, install the same app and sync the data.
- If necessary, export notes to Xiaomi’s standard Notes app.
How to transfer notes from Notion to the standard Xiaomi app?
Important: When migrating via Notion or Evernote, pay attention to the limits of free accounts. For example, Evernote Free can sync no more than 60 MB per month, and Notion Personal can sync up to 5 MB per file.
5. Direct transfer via OTG cable or computer
If you prefer physical device connectivity, this method will allow you to transfer notes without using cloud services, requiring a USB-C/OTG cable (for modern models) or a computer as an intermediary.
Standard Honor notes are stored in /storage/emulated/0/HwNote/ (the path may vary depending on the model). Files usually have the.note or.db extension. On Xiaomi, similar data is in /data/data/com.miui.notes/, but access to this folder requires root rights.
- 🔌 Method 1. Computer: Connect Honor to your PC and copy the notes files from internal memory. Convert them to a readable format (e.g., using SQLite Browser for.db files). Save the text to.txt and transfer to Xiaomi.
Method 2. OTG-cable:
- Connect the flash drive to Honor via OTG and copy note files to it.
- Turn off the flash drive and connect to Xiaomi.
- Import data through the Files → Import application.
⚠️ Notes in.db or.note format cannot be opened directly on Xiaomi, but must be converted beforehand. DB Browser for SQLite (for.db) or online converters.
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Direct cable transfer is suitable for tech-savvy users. If you are not sure about your Android file system skills, choose the cloud method or Google Keep - they are simpler and safer.
6. Sync through Xiaomi account (for advanced users)
If you’ve already created a Xiaomi account on a new device, you can try syncing notes through it, but this method doesn’t work with all Honor models and requires additional manipulation.
The algorithm is as follows:
- On Honor, install Xiaomi’s Notes app (available from APKMirror or through alternative stores).
- Sign in to it under your Xiaomi account.
- Manually transfer text from standard Honor notes to the Xiaomi Notes app.
- On the new device, update the data – notes are synchronized automatically.
This method is suitable if:
- 🔄 You have few notes (manual input will take a long time with a large volume).
- 📱 You plan to actively use the Xiaomi ecosystem (smart watches, speakers, etc.).
- 🔒 Privacy is important to you (data is stored in a closed cloud Xiaomi).
Cons of the method:
- ❌ No automatic import from standard Honor notes.
- ❌ Xiaomi’s Notes app may not work properly on Honor due to firmware differences.
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Even when following the instructions, users face typical problems, and we'll look at the most common ones and how to solve them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Notes are not exported to Huawei's cloud | Internet synchronization is disabled or not | Check your Huawei ID settings → Cloud and network connection |
| Notes file does not open on Xiaomi | Incompatible format (.db,.note) | Use SQLite Browser or online converters to convert to.txt |
| Notes in Google Keep are displayed without formatting | Copying through the clipboard removes styles | Export notes to.html and import through Google Docs |
| Xiaomi’s Notes app doesn’t see imported file | The file is saved in an unsupported format | Try importing via Notion or Evernote and then sync |
If none of the methods worked, check:
- 🔍 Firmware version: On some Honor models (e.g. Honor) 8X or Honor 10 Lite) the standard Notes app may not support export. In this case, use Google Keep or manual input.
- 📡 Internet connection: Cloud services (Huawei Cloud, Google Drive) require stable connection; with a slow Internet, synchronization can be interrupted.
- 🔒 Permissions: Make sure that note apps are given access to storage and contacts (in the App settings) → Permits).