How to Download and Transfer Notes from One Xiaomi to Another: 5 Proven Methods

Why moving notes between Xiaomi can be harder than it seems

Notes on Xiaomi smartphones are not just text files, but part of the ecosystem MIUI, It's very integrated with cloud services and system applications, and many users have a problem when they buy a new Redmi device, POCO Or Xiaomi, the standard methods of copying files through Explorer or Mi Mover don't always work with notes, because they're not stored in a packet. /storage/emulated/0/Notes/, a in the encrypted Notes application database (com.miui.notes).

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer notes between Xiaomi devices – from official (via Mi Account and Google Drive) to alternative (export to.zip, use of third-party applications). Particular attention will be paid to the hidden settings of MIUI 14/15, which block the export of notes on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

Method 1: Synchronize with Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable way is to use the built-in sync function through the Xiaomi account. It works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, but there are nuances: for example, on some firmware for POCO or global versions of Redmi, the option may be hidden.

1. On an old phone: 📱 Open the app Notes. 🔄 Slip on the profile icon (or three horizontal lines) → Settings → Synchronizing notes. ☁️ Turn on the Mi Account switch and wait until the sync is complete (may take up to 10 minutes).

On the new phone:

• 📱 Install the same Notes app (if not, download from Google Play or App Gallery).
• 🔑 Sign in with the same Mi Account as on your old device.
• 🔄 Go to the sync settings and turn it on. Notes will start loading automatically.

⚠️ Note: If notes don't appear on a new phone, check:

• 🔌 Internet connection stability (synchronization does not work over the mobile Internet with restrictions).
• 📅 The date of the last synchronization in the settings of the Xiaomi account.
• 🔄 Updates for Notes (sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions).

Table: Synchronization compatibility with Mi Account

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Syncing through Mi Account is the fastest way, but requires a stable Xiaomi account and the latest version of the Notes app.

Method 2: Export notes to zip file (for manual transfer)

If cloud sync doesn’t work (for example, due to limitations in your region or account issues), you can export notes to the.zip archive and transfer it to a new device, which is suitable for MIUI 12-15, but on some firmwares the export option is hidden.

Instructions:

1. 📱 Open the app Notes on your old phone.
2. 🔧 Go to Settings. → Export of notes (if no item - see spoiler below).
3. 📁 Select a folder to save (for example, Downloads or Documents).
4. ⏳ Wait for the archive to be created (may take a few minutes if the notes are a lot).
5. 📤 Move the file. notes_backup_[date].zip on a new phone (via Bluetooth, Mi Share, cloud or cable).
6. 📥 On the new device, open notes. → Settings → Import notes and select the downloaded archive.

⚠️ Note: When importing notes to a new device:

• 🔄 Existing notes will not be replaced, but will be added to them (doubles are possible).
• 📌 If there were closed notes (with a password) in the archive, they will have to be unlocked again.
• 🚫 Formatting (bold text, lists) can be lost when migrating between different versions. MIUI.

Make sure: | Completed

---|---

All notes saved (no drafts)|⬜

There is enough memory on the phone for an archive.|⬜

File Manager has access to Notes folder|⬜

New device ready for import (Notes app installed)|⬜

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Method 3: Move over Google Drive (for global firmware users)

If you use MIUI global firmware (e.g., Redmi Note 12 5G Global or POCO X5 Pro), instead of Mi Account, you can sync notes via Google Drive, which is convenient if you already use Google services (e.g., Gmail or Google Photos).

Step-by-step:

1. 📱 Open Notes on your old phone.
2. 🔧 Go to Settings. → Backup and reset → Backup of data.
3. ☁️ Select Google Drive and log in to your account.
4. 📝 Enable backup for the Notes app (may be called Notes or com.miui.notes).
5. ⏳ Wait for the reservation to be completed (progress is displayed in the notification curtain).
6. 📱 On the new phone, log in under the same Google account and restore data from the backup in the settings.

⚠️ Note: This method has limitations:

• 🔄 Google Drive backups are created every 24 hours – if you’ve added a note recently, it may not last.
• 📌 Recovery only works on a clean system (after resetting or first setting up the phone).
• 🚫 On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite) backup notes through Google disabled by the manufacturer.

Alternative: If standard backup doesn’t work, try manually copying the note folder through ADB:

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

This file can be transferred to the new device in the same directory (root rights are required).

Method 4: Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use third-party apps to move notes.

• 📱 MiXplorer (file manager with access to system folders): Allows you to find a database of notes along the way /data/data/com.miui.notes/databases/notes.db. You can copy the file and transfer it to a new device (root or root required). ADB).
• ☁️ Simpler Note: Imports notes from Xiaomi Notes into its format. synced via Google Drive, Dropbox or WebDAV.
• 🔄 NoteSync (for automatic synchronization): Supports export to.txt,.md (Markdown) and.json).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications:

• 🔒 Do not give access to notes to questionable programs – this can lead to data leakage.
• 📌 Before exporting, back up notes manually (e.g. screenshots of important records).
• 🚫 On some firmware MIUI 15 Third Party Apps Can't Access Notes Database Without Root Rights.

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If you often move notes between devices, set up automatic sync via Nextcloud or Syncthing, which allows you to create private cloud storage without limiting the amount of time you need.

Method 5: Transfer over a computer (for Windows/macOS/Linux users)

If you have access to a computer, you can transfer notes through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or manually copy files, a method that is suitable for advanced users, since it requires working with the command line.

Method 1: Through ADB (without root)

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB-computer-driver.
2. 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → return to additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. 🔌 Connect your phone to your computer and execute the command: adb backup -f notes.ab com.miui.notes A request to create a backup copy will appear on the phone - confirm it.
4. 💾 The notes.ab file will be saved to your computer. Transfer it to a new device and restore it via: adb restore notes.ab

Method 2: Manual database export (from root)

If you have root access, copy the Notes Database file:

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

Then transfer it to the new device in the same folder and reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention:

• 🔌 In the case of ADB Do not disconnect the phone from the computer until the operation is complete.
• 📌 Note.ab can weigh a few gigabytes if you have a lot of images in your notes.
• 🚫 Nana MIUI 15 some teams ADB Blocked – may require rollback until MIUI 14.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can't move your notes as planned.

Problem 1: Notes are not synced through Mi Account

• 🔄 Solution: Check if synchronization is enabled in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronize data. Update Notes to the latest version. Sign out and log in again.

Problem 2: When importing from ZIP, an error appears: File is corrupted

• 📁 Solution: Try unpacking the archive on your computer and repackaging it (sometimes changing the compression method to a computer helps). ZIP (Make sure the file is not downloaded in its entirety (check its size). Use another file manager to import (e.g. Solid Explorer).

Problem 3: No Notes app on the new phone

• 📱 Solution: Download the official app from Google Play or AppGallery. POCO or Redmi on the global firmware, install APK APKMirror (select the version for your region).

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If the notes are not portable in either way, try temporarily rolling back to an older version of MIUI (e.g. 15 to 14) – sometimes this solves compatibility issues.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions