How to transfer notes from Xiaomi to Xiaomi via computer: full instruction

Transferring notes between Xiaomi smartphones via a computer is the best solution if you do not have access to the Mi Cloud or prefer manual control of data. Unlike wireless synchronization, this method ensures the safety of information even in case of Internet connection failures and works on devices with any version of MIUI (12 to 15).

In this article, we will discuss three main ways of transferring: through backup Mi PC Suite, export notes to.zip/.xml file and manual copying of the database of the Notes application. We will focus on the nuances of working with Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi 13/14 flagships, where the location of system files may differ, and you will learn how to avoid loss of formatting and attachments (photo, audio) during transfer.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start the transfer, make sure that both Xiaomi smartphones meet the key requirements:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Both devices must be installed MIUI 12 or newer, on older versions (MIUI 11 and below) the path to the note files is different, and some export functions may not be available.
• 🔋 Battery charge: Minimum level - 50%. When connected to a PC, the smartphone should not discharge below 30%, otherwise the system may interrupt the data transmission.
• 🔌 Cable USB: Use the original Xiaomi cable or certified USB-Type C with data support (not all charging cables are suitable!).
• 💻 Computer: Windows 10/11 or macOS with installed drivers ADB (If you plan to manually transfer, the PC should have at least 1 GB of free space.

Important: If one smartphone has encryption enabled (Settings → Security), it must be disabled before transferring, otherwise the note files will not be readable on the other device.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12 with global firmware, the path to the note folder may differ from the standard /data/com.miui.notes. Check the current path through the file manager with root rights or use the method with Mi. PC Suite.

Method 1: Transfer over Mi PC Suite (official method)

Mi PC Suite is Xiaomi’s proprietary software that allows you to back up and recover data, including notes, which is suitable for users who don’t want to mess with manual settings.

Steps for transfer:

1. Install Mi PC Suite from the official website (version must be at least 3.2.1.3071 to support MIUI 14/15).
2. Connect the original smartphone (from which we copy notes) to the PC via USB. From the connection menu, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Launch Mi PC Suite, wait for device recognition and go to Backup.
4. Select Notes from the copy list and click Create Backup. The file will be saved in.mbk (default in C:\Users\Username\MiPhoneBackup).
5. Disable the first smartphone, connect the target (where we transfer notes) and in Mi PC Suite select Restore from backup.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Keeps all attachments (photo, audio, checklists) without loss of quality.
• 🛡️ It works even if the target smartphone has a different version. MIUI (but not below the original!).
• 📁 Automatically restores folders and note tags.

⚠️ Note: If you are recovering the Mi PC Suite issues an error called “Incompatible Backup Version”, update the program to the latest version, or use the manual export method (see Method 2).

Download the latest version of Mi PC Suite from the official website |

Connect the original smartphone in MTP| mode

Create a backup copy with only the "Notes" selection |

Disable the first smartphone and connect the target |

Recover data from the.mbk--> file

Method 2: Export notes to.zip/.xml file (for power users)

This method is suitable if you want to get a note file to be stored on a PC or transferred to another device (not necessarily Xiaomi).It requires access to hidden folders of a smartphone, but does not need root rights.

Instructions:

1. On the original smartphone, open the Notes app, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings → Note Export.
2. Select the format:.zip - archive with notes and attachments (recommended)..xml - only text without images.

Downloads.

notes_export_YYYYMMDD.zip

Connect your smartphone to your PC, copy the file to any folder on your computer.

Settings → Import of notes

Notes

Features of the method:

• 📌 The.zip file can be opened on PC and viewed notes in.html format (easy to print or edit).
• 🔍 Attachments (photos, audio) are saved in the attachments folder inside the archive.
• ⚠️ When Importing to a Device with a Different Version MIUI Possible problems with the display of checklists and fixed notes.

💡

If you don’t see notes when importing a.zip file, try renaming the archive to notes_backup.zip This bypasses the bug in some versions of the Notes app on the POCO-device.

Method 3: Manual transfer through the database (for advanced)

This method is suitable if the first two methods did not work (for example, due to corrupted backup files), or if you need to transfer notes to custom firmware. It requires access to system folders, but not necessarily root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. On the original smartphone, enable USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.

Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm access to data (on the smartphone screen will appear a request for debugging permission).

command-line

Win + R → cmd

adb devices

Make sure your device is listed.

adb pull /data/data/com.miui.notes/databases/notes.db

The notes.db file will be saved in the folder where the command was launched.

adb push notes.db /data/data/com.miui.notes/databases/

Reboot the target smartphone. Notes will appear in the app after the first synchronization.

Critical information: If the target smartphone already has notes, they will be overwritten! Before transferring, back up the current database (rename notes.db to notes_backup.db).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 15 The path to the database can be changed to /data/user_de/0/com.miui.notes/databases/notes.db. Check the current path through the adb shell command: adb shell ls /data/data/com.miui.notes/databases/

Solving common errors in transfer

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and let's look at the typical mistakes and how to fix them:

• 🔴 "Failed to import notes" (using.zip): Check if the archive is damaged (try to open it on PC via.zip) 7-Zip Make sure that the target smartphone has enough memory space (minimum) 100 MB is free. Rename the file to notes_backup.zip and repeat the import.
• 🔴 "Backup file corrupted" (in Mi) PC Suite: Create a new backup by disabling antivirus on your PC (sometimes it blocks access to.mbk files). USB-a cable or port on your computer. Try to restore a copy on another PC.
• 🔴 No attachments after transfer: When exporting to.zip, make sure that the attachments folder is in the archive. If not, the attachments were not saved. Move the attachments separately through the File Manager → Internal memory. → MIUI → Notes → attachments.

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative method:

1. Install a third-party note-taking app on both smartphones (like Google Keep or Evernote).
2. Manually copy the text of notes from the standard Notes app to the new one.
3. Sync your account on the target device – notes will be pulled up automatically.

💡

If you are using Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5 Pro, turn off the Privacy Protection feature in the Notes app settings before transferring.

Transfer of notes from encrypted devices

If your Xiaomi has disk encryption enabled (in Settings → Security → Encryption), standard port methods may not work.

1. Decrypt the device (it will take from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data).
2. Perform the transfer in one of the above methods.
3. Once completed, you can re-enable encryption.

Alternative option for encrypted devices:

• 📲 Use Mi Cloud (if not locked): On the original smartphone, enable note synchronization in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Notes: On your target smartphone, log in to the same Mi Cloud account and wait for sync.
• 🔐 If Mi Cloud is not available, create a local backup via Mi. PC Suite (even on an encrypted device, this will work, but you will need to enter a password when you connect).

Important: On devices with MIUI 14/15 and enabled encryption, the path to the note files changes to:

/data/media/0/MIUI/Notes/

Exported files are stored here, but access to them is possible only after decryption.

Security and optimization tips

Data transfer is a responsible operation, especially when it comes to sensitive information.

• 🔐 Data protection: After transferring, delete backup files from your computer if they are no longer needed. If you have copied a database (notes.db), keep it in an encrypted archive (for example, 7-Zip password-wise).
• 📱 Note Optimization: After the transfer, check duplicates in the Notes app (in the MIUI 15 has a built-in function for merging repeating records. If you have transferred large notes with attachments, clear the application cache (Settings) → Annexes → Notes → Clear the cache).
• ⚡ Performance: On smartphones with 128 GB of memory or less, it is recommended to transfer notes in portions (50-100 pieces each) to avoid overloading the system.

For users of POCO X5 and Redmi Note 12 with global firmware: After transferring notes, the Quick Notes feature (call via swipe on the lock screen) may disappear. To return it, go to Settings → Special Features → Quick Notes and turn on the option again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi note transfer