Why Standard Synchronization Methods Donโt Always Work
Notes on smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO It is stored in the Notes app (or com.miui.notes in the system), which is synchronized by default with the Mi Cloud, but users often face problems: synchronization โhangsโ by 99%, notes disappear after a phone reset, and the web version of the cloud does not display current data. The reasons are in the peculiarities. MIUI:
Xiaomi restricts export of.zip notes only for Chinese versions MIUI โ This feature is not available in global firmware. Second, the Notes app uses a proprietary storage format (.db files in the app). /data/data/com.miui.notes/databases), It's not easy to copy it to a PC without converting it. MIUI 14/15 Many users complain about sync failures with Mi Cloud when notes are duplicated or lose formatting.
This article covers 5 working ways to transfer notes from official (via the cloud and the Internet). USB) Each method is tested on current firmware and takes into account the limitations of Xiaomi. If you need to save not only text, but also attachments (photos, audio, checklists), pay attention to the sections about the content of the application. ADB and Google Drive.
Method 1: Export via Mi Cloud (official method)
The most obvious way is to sync with Mi Cloud, but it doesn't work well. To increase your chances of success, follow the algorithm:
- Open "Notes" on your phone โ slip on ยซโฎยป (three-point) โ Settings โ Mi Cloud.
- Turn on the note sync switch and wait until the completion (the cloud icon should turn blue).
- Go to your PC at i.mi.com and log in to the same Xiaomi account.
- In the web interface, select Notes โ mark out โ Press Export (arrow down icon).
The file will be saved in.zip format with.txt notes inside.
- ๐ Synchronization freezes: turn off VPN, Check Wi-Fi (not mobile Internet) connection, restart the Notes appยป.
- ๐ Not all notes are displayed: Mi Cloud may not have enough records over 6 months old on the web version โ use this. ADB (4).
- ๐ Confirmation required for SMS: If you haven't logged in in a while, Xiaomi can block access. Use a backup email to restore.
โ ๏ธ Note: After September 1, 2023, Xiaomi changed the storage policy in Mi Cloud.If your account is not active for more than 180 days, notes can be deleted without recovery. โ Xiaomi account โ Mi Cloud โ Warehouse.
Method 2: Transfer through USB-cable MIUI 14/15)
If the cloud is not working, connect your phone to your PC. USB. V MIUI 14/15 The path to notes has changed โ they are now stored in an encrypted database, but they can be exported through an embedded feature:
- Connect Xiaomi to your computer, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
- On the phone, open "Notesยป โ โฎ โ Settings โ Exports and imports.
- Select Note Exports โ Specify the folder (for example, Download).
- On PC, open the phone folder (This computer) โ [Xiaomi model] โ Internal memory. โ Download) and copy the file notes_backup_*.zip.
The archive will have.txt files with notes and attachments folder with attachments.
- ๐ฑ It only works on global versions. MIUI (There is no export option on Chinese firmware).
- ๐ Only notes created after last synchronization with Mi Cloud are exported.
- ๐ Attachments (photos, audio) will only be saved if they were added through a button. + โ Embedding, not inserted as pictures.
Enable debugging over USB (Settings โ About Phone โ MIUI Version โ 7 taps)
Install Xiaomi drivers on PC (download from the en.miui.com/a-234.html)
Disable the ad blocker (may interfere with the MTP-connection)
Check the available space on the phone (export requires) ~10% of the volume of notes)-->
Method 3: Send notes by email (for individual records)
If you only need to transfer a few notes, the quickest way is to send them to your mail:
- Open the desired note in the app "Notes".
- Tap on. โฎ โ Share. โ Select Email (or Gmail if installed).
- In the field to Whom specify your address, in the subject write the name of the note (for example, "Borsch recipe").
- Send the letter and open it on PC.
Advantages of the method:
- โก Instant transfer โ does not depend on synchronization with the cloud.
- ๐ Keeps formatting (bold text, lists, colors).
- ๐ Attachments (photo, audio) are attached to the letter automatically.
Disadvantages:
- ๐ง Size limit: If a note is larger than 25MB, email services may block the sending.
- ๐ Handmade: You will have to send each note separately.
- ๐ No structure: emails will come in a chaotic order (sort by date or topic).
โ ๏ธ Note: When sending notes via Gmail on phones with MIUI 15 may trigger the "failed to send" error Solution: Set Gmail as the default email app in Android settings.
Method 4: Retrieving Notes Through ADB (advanced)
If the standard methods donโt work, you can extract the note database directly through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge is suitable for all versions MIUI, including Chinese firmware, but requires command line skills.
Step 1: Preparation
- Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings โ About Phone โ MIUI version (shap 7 times).
- Activate USB Debugging in Settings โ Additional โ For developers.
- Download ADB Tools on PC and unpack it into the C:\adb folder.
Step 2: Copying the database:
adb pull /data/data/com.miui.notes/databases/notes.db C:\notes_backup\
adb pull /data/data/com.miui.notes/files/ C:\notes_backup\attachmentsStep 3: Convert notes.db:
The notes.db file is a SQLite database.
- Install the program. DB Browser for SQLite.
- Open notes.db โ Go to the Data Review tab โ select the note table.
- Export the data to CSV or JSON via File โ Exports.
| Field in notes.db | What it keeps. | Example of meaning |
|---|---|---|
| title | Note title | Weekly shopping list |
| content | Text of the note (in HTML-format) | <p><strong>Milk.</strong>, bread-bread</p> |
| created_time | Date of creation (in milliseconds) | 1672531200000 (01.01.2023) |
| background_color | Color background note | #FFFFFFFF (white) |
โ ๏ธ Attention: On phones with MIUI 15 Android 13+ If the adb pull command returns a Permission denied error, use an alternative method with backup via adb backup: adb backup. -f C:\notes_backup\notes.ab com.miui.notes Notes.ab file can be accessed by Android Backup Extractor.
How to Recover Deleted Notes Through ADB?
Method 5: Sync with Google Drive (Backway)
If Mi Cloud is not working, you can redirect notes to Google Drive via the third-party Notes Backup & Restore app:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Run it and give access to the Notes.
- Choose Backup โ mark the necessary notes โ press Next.
- As a save location, select Google Drive and log in.
- On PC, open Google Drive. โ Find the NotesBackup folder โ download the archive.
Advantages:
- โ๏ธ It works without the Mi Cloud and MIUI-restraint.
- ๐ Keeps all attachments (photo, audio, checklists).
- ๐ Supports automatic backup on schedule.
Disadvantages:
- ๐ฑ Requires third-party software installation (some antiviruses may block access to notes).
- ๐ Free version limits backup to 50 notes at a time.
๐ก
If the Notes Backup & Restore app doesnโt see the note, make sure it has permission to access the storage (Settings) โ Annexes โ Notes Backup โ Permissions. On Android 13+ You also need to manually allow access to files of other applications.
Comparison of methods: which to choose
| Method | Speed. | Keeps the investment | It's powered by Chinese MIUI. | Requires root/ADB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | Medium (depending on the Internet) | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
| USB- Export | Quickly. | Yes. | No. | No. |
| Slowly (manually) | Yes. | Yes. | No. | |
| ADB | Long (for experienced) | Yes. | Yes. | No (but ADB is needed) |
| Google Drive | Medium | Yes. | Yes. | No. |
Selection recommendations:
- ๐ฑ For most users, start with the Mi Cloud or USB-If it doesnโt work, use Google Drive.
- ๐ง For the tech-savvy: ADB It gives you complete control over the data, but it takes time.
- ๐ง For urgent transfer 1-2 Notes: sending by email is the easiest option.
๐ก
If your notes contain sensitive information (passwords, document scans), avoid synchronization through the cloud. USB or ADB, And then encrypt the archive with a program. 7-Zip password-wise.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Problem 1: Not all notes are displayed in Mi Cloud.
Solution: Check the filters in the web version (button) โ๏ธ โ Show deleted if the notes are missing after the update MIUI, try:
adb shell pm clear com.miui.notesThis command will reset the Notes app cache (the data will not be deleted, but will require re-synchronization).
Problem. 2: For export through USB file notes_backup.zip hollow.
Solution: Delete old backups in the Download folder on your phone โ the app may not overwrite existing archives, and make sure that all notes are selected in the export settings, not just favorites.
Problem 3: ADB Error is issued by device unauthorized.
Solution: You'll see a request for debugging permission on your phone, confirm it.
- Turn it off and plug it back in. USB-cable.
- Adb kill-server adb start-server
- Check what's in the Settings โ For developers included the option to Allow debugging by USB (safe-haven).
Problem 4: The Notes Backup & Restore app doesn't see the note.
Decision: On MIUI 14/15 Xiaomi blocks third-party apps from accessing system data.Backdoor:
- Create a new note in the standard Notes app.
- Export it through Share it โ Save it in the Files.
- Import this file to Notes Backup & Restore via Restore.