Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer users a handy built-in notebook, the Notes app, but not everyone knows that some of the records can be hidden from prying eyes, whether they’re accidentally archived texts, deleted notes in the shopping cart or password-protected files. In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to access such data, from standard MIUI features to hidden folders in the file system.
It is important to understand: hidden notes are divided into three categories: archived (manually moved by the user), remote (in the cart for up to 30 days) and encrypted (blocked). PIN-The methods of recovery vary, and not all of them guarantee 100% results. If you are looking for a particular record, first check all the standard sections of the application - often the problem is solved without deep intervention in the system.
1. Standard Ways: Where to Look for Hidden Notes in MIUI
Before you resort to technical tricks, check the obvious places. In MIUI 14/15, the interface of the Notes application has changed, so access paths may vary depending on the firmware version. Below are the current routes for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models (2020-2026 release).
Open the Notes app and look at the bottom panel. Newer versions of MIUI may have tabs:
- 📁 Archive – here are stored notes that you have manually archived (you need to swipe the entry to the left and select the appropriate option).
- 🗑️ Recycle bin – deleted notes stay here for up to 30 days, after which they are erased irrevocably.
- 🔒 Blocked – if you have installed PIN-code or biometric protection for individual records, they will be here.
On models POCO F4/F5 Xiaomi 13/14 Archive tab can be hidden behind button ⋮ (three dots in the upper right corner, also in some regional versions. MIUI (For example, in India, the Recycle Bin section is called Remote. If you don't see the tab you want, update the Notes app via Google Play or the App Store.
2. Recovery of deleted notes from the basket
If you accidentally delete a note, the first thing you do is check the Recycle Bin. In MIUI, this section works on a soft delete principle: files are not erased immediately, but moved to temporary storage. The storage period is 30 days, after which the data is deleted without the possibility of recovery (if there was no backup).
To restore the note:
- Open the Notes app → go to the Recycle Bin (or Remote) tab.
- Find the right recording and click on it.
- In the upper right corner, tap the icon. ⋮ → Choose Restore.
If the cart is empty but you're sure you've deleted a note recently, try updating the list: pull-to-refresh gesture. Sometimes notes don't show up because of a sync failure with your Mi Account.
Check the Internet connection
Update the app "Notes" in the store
Reboot your smartphone
Log out and log back into your Mi Account-->
⚠️ Warning: If you were manually cleaning the basket (Clean the basket button), restore notes with standard means MIUI In this case, only a backup copy (see section 4) or specialized programs for data recovery will help.
3. Access to blocked notes
If you've set a password for individual notes but you've forgotten it, there are several ways to reclaim it. In MIUI, note protection is tied to your Mi Account or biometrics (print/face). If you remember the Mi Account password, you won't have any problems, the system will suggest you use it to unlock it.
If the password is lost:
- 🔑 Try resetting your password through Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Security: Once your account password is changed, access to your notes must be restored.
- 📱 On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) emergency PIN-The code you specified when you first set up the lock, usually a 4-digit code other than the primary password.
- 🔄 If nothing works, it only resets (see Section 6), but this will delete all local data, including unblocked notes.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global (European / global firmware) binding notes to the account is stable, and MIUI China may have sync problems. If you're using the Chinese version of firmware, back up through Settings before resetting your password. → The phone. → Backup.
💡
If you have forgotten the password from the blocked note, but remember its contents, try entering possible combinations on the unlock screen. In MIUI after 5 unsuccessful attempts, a prompt with the first letter of the password will appear.
4.Search for hidden notes in Xiaomi file system
All notes in MIUI are stored as files in a secure folder, and if standard methods don't work, you can try to find them manually, but that would require root rights or ADB access. Without them, the notes folder would be inaccessible.
The path to notes in the file system:
/data/data/com.miui.notes/files/notes/It stores files in.json (for text) and.media (for attachments) formats to read:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and use it ADB with the command: adb pull /data/data/com.miui.notes/files/notes/ C:\Notes_Backup\
- Open the copied files in any text editor (for example, Notepad++).
⚠️ Note: Changing or deleting files in this folder may cause the Notes app to crash.If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to use specialized data recovery programs (for example, Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver).
| Access method | Required rights | Probability of success | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard basket recovery | No. | 100% (if not 30 days have passed) | Absent. |
| Unlocking with Mi Account | Access to the account | 90% | Blocking your account with multiple unsuccessful attempts |
| ADB-file-extracting commands | USB debugging | 70% | Loss of data in case of incorrect actions |
| Root access + manual search | Root | 80% | Misfunction of MIUI, loss of warranty |
5. Recovery of Notes through Backup
If you have previously backed up through Mi Cloud or locally, the chances of returning notes are much higher. In MIUI, note backup is enabled by default if your Mi Account is linked to your device.
Method 1: Through the Mi Cloud
- Open Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud → Notes
- Make sure the synchronization switch is active.
- If notes don't appear, click Sync manually.
Method 2: Local backup
- 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup.
- 🔄 Select the last backup (the date of creation can be seen in the file name).
- ✅ Mark the Notes item and click Restore.
Important: Local backups in MIUI are encrypted by device binding. If you reset your smartphone to factory settings, you can't recover notes from your local backup on another phone, just through Mi Cloud.
What to do if the backup is damaged?
Extreme measures: resetting settings and recovery programs
If all of these methods fail, radical solutions remain, and should only be used if the notes are critical, such as passwords or financial information.
Option 1: Reset to factory settings
This will delete all the data on the device, including notes, but if you had a Mi Account link, after re-authorization, some of the records can be restored from the cloud.
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Choose to erase all data.
- After the reboot, log in to the same Mi Account and check for synchronization of notes.
Option 2: Data recovery programs
For Xiaomi, it's okay:
- 🛠️ Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (supports notes, messages, contacts).
- 📱 EaseUS MobiSaver (works without root, but with limitations).
- 🔍 DiskDigger (free option, requires root for deep scanning).
⚠️ Warning: When using third-party software, never save recovered files to the same smartphone - this can overwrite the remaining data.Always export it to your PC or cloud storage.
💡
If the notes contain confidential information (passwords, bank details), after recovery, be sure to transfer them to a safe place (for example, to the password manager) and remove them from the standard Notes application.