Why You Should Move Notes From Xiaomi to PC and What Risks to Consider
Notes on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones often contain important information, from work tasks to personal ideas. However, storing them only on your phone is risky โ losing your device, resetting settings or breaking down can lead to irretrievable data loss.
Modern versions of MIUI 14/15 offer several ways to export notes, but not all of them are equally convenient. For example, synchronization via Mi Cloud requires a stable Internet, and USB transmission may face driver limitations. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of 2026, including the hidden functions of the standard Notes application and workarounds for older models.
We will pay special attention to the nuances:
- ๐น Export Formats: Why.txt is More Convenient for Editing
- ๐น Limitations MIUI: Which models do not support direct export
- ๐น Security: How to Avoid Data Leakage in Cloud Transfers
Method 1: Export through the standard Notes app (without PC)
The easiest method is to use the built-in export function in the Notes app (yellow notebook icon), which works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, but has a limitation: notes are exported as an archive, which then needs to be unpacked on the computer.
Step instructions:
- Open the Notes app and tap on three points (โฎ) top-right.
- Select Settings โ Export of Notes.
- Check the required notes (or click Select All).
- Click Export and select the format:.txt (for editing) or.xml (for importing to other applications).
- Specify the folder to save (for example, Downloads) and confirm.
The file will be saved as ZIP-To open it on the PC:
- ๐ Connect your phone to your computer through USB file transfer.
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Find the archive in the folder. MiNotes/Export And copy it to a PC.
- ๐ฆ Unpack the archive with standard Windows tools (PCM) โ Extract everything).
โ๏ธ Preparation for export of notes
โ ๏ธ Note: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro with the MIUI 13) Export to.txt cuts the formatting. If bold text or listings are important, select.xml and open it via Notepad.++ LibreOffice.
Method 2: Synchronize with Mi Cloud and then download
The Mi Cloud automatically backs up notes if sync is enabled, a method that works for regular backups but requires a Xiaomi account and stable internet, with the main advantage of accessing notes from any device, including a PC.
How to set up synchronization:
- Open your Settings โ Xiaomi Account โ Mi Cloud.
- Turn on the slider opposite the Note (if it is gray, tap on it and confirm).
- Wait for the synchronization to be completed (the cloud icon will turn green).
To download notes to your computer:
- ๐ Go to i.mi.com and log in.
- ๐ Select the Notes section in the left menu.
- ๐พ Click on three dots next to the desired note and select Export (.txt and.html formats available).
| Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|
| Automatic backup | Demands the Internet. |
| Access from any device | Limit 5GB free |
| Support for formatting | No package exports |
| Recovery on a new phone | Risk of leakage when hacking an account |
1) Date and time on the phone (must be relevant).
2) Free space in the cloud (remove unnecessary backups).
3) Absence of ad blockers (e.g. AdGuard may interfere with synchronization).-->
Method 3: Transmission through USB-cable (for advanced users)
Direct copying of note files from your phone to your PC via USB is a method for those who don't want to use the cloud, but it requires access to system folders that are hidden by default, and it works on unlocked phones or with developer mode enabled.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
- Enable the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer (View โ Hidden Items).
- Go on the way: Internal Memory โ miui โ notes Here are stored note files in.json and.db format.
- Copy the notes folder to the computer.
To read the files:
- ๐ Open.json files via Notepad++ or online converter (e.g. json-csv.com).
- ๐๏ธ.db files (SQLite database) will require special software, such as, DB Browser for SQLite.
โ ๏ธ Note: Do not edit files in the folder miui/notes Directly on your phone, which can cause the Notes app to crash. Always work with copies!
How to turn on the developer mode on Xiaomi?
Method 4: Send notes by email or messenger
If you only need to transfer a few notes, the easiest way to send them is by email or messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp), which requires no additional programs and works even on older Xiaomi models with MIUI 10.
How to send a note by email:
- Open the desired note in the Notes app.
- Tap it on three points (โฎ) and choose to share.
- In the list of applications, select Gmail or another email client.
- Enter your email in the Who field and send the letter.
- On the computer, open the mail and save the attachment (.txt format).
Advantages of the method:
- ๐ง It does not require a PC connection.
- ๐ Data is transmitted via a secure protocol (if you use ProtonMail or Gmail)
- ๐ฑ It works on all versions. MIUI
Disadvantages:
- โ Uncomfortable for a lot of notes
- โ Formatting may be lost
- โ Risk of getting spam (if you send a lot of emails)
๐ก
To send multiple notes at the same time, use the Select Everything in the Share menu. This will save time, but increase the size of the email.
Method 5: Use of third-party applications (alternative)
If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party note-backup apps, such as Note Backup & Restore or Super Backup, which allow you to export notes to.xml or.csv and then transfer files to your PC. These programs often support automatic export on a schedule.
Instructions for Super Backup:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Run it and select the Notes section.
- Click Backup and specify a folder to save (e.g. Download/NotesBackup).
- Connect your phone to your PC and copy files from the specified folder.
Comparison of popular applications:
| Annex | Export formats | Autobackup. | Support for MIUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Backup | .xml, .csv | Yes. | Good. |
| Note Backup & Restore | .json, .txt | No. | Medium |
| Swift Backup | .zip (archive) | Yes (scheduled) | Requires root. |
โ ๏ธ Note: Apps like Swift Backup require root rights, which voids Xiaomiโs warranty. Use them only if you understand the risks!
Problem Solving: What to Do When Notes Are Not Exported
Sometimes users encounter errors when exporting notes.
Problem 1: The Export button is inactive
- ๐ Reboot the phone โ this will reset temporary app crashes.
- ๐ฅ Update the app via Google Play (if it is updated separately from Google Play). MIUI).
- ๐๏ธ Clear the app's cache: Settings โ Annexes โ Notes โ Warehouse โ Clear the cache.
Problem 2: Mi Cloud doesn't sync notes
- ๐ Check the region of Xiaomi account โ some cloud features are not available in Russia/EU.
- ๐ Enable data synchronization in account settings.
- ๐ถ Connect to another network (e.g., from mobile internet instead of Wi-Fi).
Problem 3: Note files wonโt open on PC
- ๐ For.json, use Notepad++ plug-in JSON Viewer.
- ๐๏ธ For.db download DB Browser for SQLite (free).
- ๐ If the file is corrupted, try to restore it through online services like JSONLint.
๐ก
If your notes are missing after the MIUI update, check the miui/notes/backup folder โ sometimes the system creates an automatic backup before the update.