Hidden notes in Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are a convenient way to protect confidential information from prying eyes. However, sometimes users forget where they hid important records, or face a problem with access after resetting. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of searching and viewing hidden notes on Redmi devices (including Note 12, Redmi 10, Redmi 9 and others), and also explain how to restore access if the note is blocked by a password.
Itβs important to understand that hidden notes can be stored in different locations depending on the version of MIUI and the recording application used. Weβll look at both standard methods through Notes and alternatives through file manager, backups, and even system folders. If youβre not sure if your Redmi has hidden records, start by checking the Archive section of the Notes app β it often stores automatically hidden or deleted notes.
1. Search for hidden notes through the standard app "Notes"
The most obvious way is to use the built-in Notes app (or Notes in global firmware), which has a separate section for hidden entries, but can be restricted to a password or fingerprint.
- π± Open the Notes app on the home screen or in the app menu.
- π In the upper right corner, click on the search icon (magnifying glass) and enter the keyword from the note (if you remember).
- π If the note is hidden, tap three points in the upper right corner. β Choose Archives or Hidden Notes.
- π You may need to enter a password from your Mi Account or PIN-lock-code.
If the Hidden Notes section is missing, you have never hidden a record through this app, so move on to the next method. Note that MIUI 14 and later may call the Hidden Notes section Protected Notes or Private Notes.
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If you forget your hidden note password, try resetting it through Settings β Passwords & Security β Private Mode. You can reset it with your Mi Account.
2. View through file manager: where the notes are physically stored
All notes in Xiaomi Redmi are stored as files on an internal drive, and hidden records are usually tagged or stored in secure folders to find them:
- Open Files (or any other file manager, such as Solid Explorer)
- Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.notes/files/notes/ All notes in.json or.db format are stored here.
- Look for files marked hidden, private or locked in the title.
- To view the content, copy the file to your computer and open it through a text editor (e.g. Notepad++).
β οΈ Note: Do not edit or delete files in this folder directly, this can lead to the loss of all notes. If files are encrypted (have the.enc extension), they can only be opened through the official Notes app after unlocking.
| File type | Expansion | Can I open it without a password? | Where it's stored |
|---|---|---|---|
| A routine note. | .json | Yes. | /notes/ |
| Hidden note | .db or.enc | No (password needed) | /notes/private/ |
| Archive note | .bak | Yes (partially) | /notes/backup/ |
| Deleted note | .del | Yes (within 30 days) | /notes/trash/ |
3. Restoring access to blocked notes
If you've forgotten the password from a hidden note, there are a few ways to recover it, and the key is not to try to retrieve it repeatedly, otherwise the app could block access forever.
- π Resetting password through your Mi Account: Open Notes β Hidden notes. Press Forgot your password?. Sign in via Mi Account (should be linked to your device). Follow the instructions for resetting.
Use of backup copy
If you have previously backed up notes (e.g., through Settings β System β Backup), restore it. Hidden notes are also stored in the backup, but you will need to enter an old password to view them.
Resetting settings (extreme case)
If other methods didnβt work, you can reset to factory settings via Settings β About Phone β Settings Reset. After this procedure, all notes will be deleted, but if they synced with your Mi Account, they can be restored with reauthorization.
β οΈ Note: When you reset your settings via Fastboot or Recovery (e.g., using the Mi Flash Tool), all data, including notes, will be permanently deleted.
Try to restore via Mi Account| Check backups in Google Drive or Mi Cloud| Install the old Notes app (if the password is saved in the cache)| Contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device-->
4.Alternative apps for viewing hidden notes
If the standard Notes app doesn't show hidden entries, it's possible they were created in a different software. Xiaomi Redmi often installs:
- π Google Keep β Notes may be hidden in the archive or marked as βPersonal".
- π ColorNote β has the function of blocking notes with a password.
- π Evernote β Supports encryption of individual records.
- π‘οΈ Safe Notes β a special application for protected notes.
In the table, note or hidden_notes You'll find all the notes, including the hidden ones, but if they're encrypted, you'll need additional decoding software (like MiNoteDecoder, but it's not legal).
β οΈ Attention: Use ADB To extract data, you may violate Xiaomi's privacy policy, do not distribute the files you receive or use them to hack into someone else's devices, and this method is only intended to restore access to your notes.
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If you are unsure of your ADB skills, you should contact Xiaomi Service Center.The wrong commands can lead to data loss or system failure.
7 How to Prevent Loss of Access to Hidden Notes in the Future
To avoid the problem of finding hidden notes again, follow these tips:
- π Use one password for all hidden notes and store it in a password manager (like Bitwarden or the other). 1Password).
- βοΈ Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
- π€ Export important notes to a text file: Open a note β Three points. β Exports β Save as.txt
- π Add notes to your favorites so they donβt get lost in the archive.
- π Check the Archive section regularly β sometimes notes are automatically included.