Shifting notes from Xiaomi to a new smartphone is a challenge that millions of users face when changing devices. Even if youโve been neatly recording in the standard Mi Notes app, without proper preparation, you risk losing years of valuable information, from work checklists to personal diary entries. The problem is compounded by Xiaomiโs use of its own Mi Cloud cloud storage, which doesnโt always sync correctly with other brandsโ devices.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods of transfer โ from official (via Mi Account and Google Drive) to alternative (export to.txt, third-party applications like Simplenote). Why notes may not be transferred during standard synchronization, how to get around the limitations of iOS when you switch from Android, and what to do if the app Notes gives an error "Synchronization is disabled." POCO on MIUI 12โ14.
1. Transfer via Mi Account (official method)
The most reliable method for Xiaomi owners is synchronization through Mi Cloud, which works out of the box and saves the formatting of notes (bold text, lists, attachments), but there is a critical limitation: the new phone must have the Mi Notes app installed (available only for Android).
To move the notes:
- ๐ฑ Open the Notes app** on the old Xiaomi and tap on the avatar in the upper right corner.
- ๐ On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account, install Mi Notes and wait for automatic data download.
โ ๏ธ Note: If the new device does not have Mi Notes (e.g. iPhone or Samsung), this method will not work.
Synchronization speeds depend on the number of notes and the stability of the Internet. With a large amount of data (500+ records), the process can take up to 10-15 minutes.
2.Export notes to Google Keep or Google Docs
If you are switching to a phone from another brand (such as Samsung or Google Pixel), the best option is to transfer through Google services, the advantage of which is that notes will be available on any Android device or through a browser on iOS.
Algorithm of action:
- On the old Xiaomi, open "Notesยป** โ select the desired entry โ Press "Moreยป (โฎ) โ ยซExportยป.
| Service | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Google Keep | Quick synchronization, reminders, color tags | Limiting 20,000 characters per note |
| Google Docs | Support for large texts, shared access | There is no built-in tag search |
| Mi Notes โ Google Drive | Keeps formatting | Requires manual export of each note |
For mass export, use third-party utilities like Notes Exporter (available on Google Play). The app allows you to upload all notes from Mi Notes to one.zip archive, while preserving the folder structure.
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If the notes contain images, export them to Google Photos separately โ when you convert to.txt, the pictures are lost.
3. Local backup via file manager
This is a good way to do it if you don't have access to the Internet or you don't trust cloud services, and the idea is to copy a notebook (notes.db) from an old phone and restore it to a new one. Importantly, it only works between devices on MIUI!
Instructions:
- ๐ง Install a file manager with access to system folders (for example, FX Explorer or Solid Explorer).
- ๐ Cross the path: /data/data/com.miui.notes/shared_prefs/ Copy the notes.db files and notes_prefs.xml memory card or cloud.
- ๐ฒ On the new Xiaomi, place files in the same folder (root rights required or ADB).
- ๐ Reboot your phone and open Notes โ the data should appear.
โ ๏ธ Note: No root rights or ADB This method won't work. Incorrectly modifying files in /data/data/ This may cause the app โNotesโ to failยป.
An alternative for users without root: use the Titanium Backup app (requires an unlocked bootloader), which allows you to back up your Mi Notes and restore it to another Xiaomi device.
What to do if the notes.db file is corrupted?
4. port to iPhone (from Android to iOS)
The transition from Xiaomi to iPhone is complicated by the fact that Apple does not support the Mi Notes formats. The solution is to convert notes to a universal format (.txt,.pdf) with subsequent import into Apple Notes.
Step-by-step:
- On Xiaomi, export each note to.txt (as in Section 2).
- Send files to your iPhone via AirDrop, Telegram or Google Drive.
- On iPhone, open the file in Apple Notes: ๐ Tap the file on.txt. โ ยซShareยป โ ยซNotesยป. ๐ For mass import, use the Notes Importer app (App Store).
If notes contain tables or complex formatting, pre-convert them to.pdf via Google Docs or Microsoft Word. To sync between devices, configure iCloud on your iPhone:
Settings โ [Your name] โ iCloud โ Notes (include)Backup notes on Xiaomi|Export to.txt or.pdf| Check free space on iPhone|Install Notes Importer (if necessary)|Configure iCloud for notes-->
5. Use of third-party applications (Simplenote, Evernote)
If standard methods donโt work, use cross-platform services like Simplenote or Evernote, which support importing from Mi Notes and automatically sync between devices.
How to move:
- ๐ฅ Install Simplenote on both phones.
- ๐ On Xiaomi, export notes to.txt and import them to Simplenote via the Import optionยป.
- โ๏ธ Wait for sync (notes will appear on the new phone automatically).
| Annex | Free fare | Max. Note size. | Support for formatting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simplenote | Yes. | Unlimitedly | Only text |
| Evernote | Yes (with limitations) | 25MB | Yes (tables, images) |
| OneNote | Yes. | 100MB | Yes (extended) |
Evernote is suitable for porting notes with attachments (photos, PDFs), but the free version limits monthly traffic. Simplenote is simpler and faster, but does not keep formatting. The choice depends on your priorities.
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For images and tables, use Evernote or OneNote, and if text is the only thing that matters, Simplenote is the best for speed and reliability.
6. Frequent errors and their solution
Even when following instructions, users face problems, and let's look at the typical failures and how to fix them.
Problem 1: Notes are not synced through the Mi Cloud.
- ๐ Check your internet connection (sync only works over Wi-Fi or mobile network).
- ๐ Update the Notes app to the latest version on Google Play.
- ๐ง Go to Settings. โ Accounts. โ Mi Account โ Synchronize and enable the option for Notesยป.
Problem 2: When exporting to.txt, formatting is lost.
- ๐ Use.docx format instead of.txt (saves bold text, lists).
- ๐ผ๏ธ For image notes, export to.pdf via Google Docs.
Problem 3: The new phone doesnโt have Mi Notes installed.
- ๐ฑ If the device is not Xiaomi, install it. APK-Mi Notes file manually (download from APKCombo).
- ๐ Allow installation from unknown sources in security settings.
โ ๏ธ Note: If you post-transfer notes are displayed in hieroglyphics, check the file encoding. UTF-8 (usually offered by default).