Where Xiaomi Stores Notes: File Search and Backup

Notes on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most popular tools for quickly recording ideas, to-do lists or important information. However, many users face the problem: where did the saved records disappear after resetting or how to transfer them to a new phone? In this article, we will analyze which folder stores notes on Xiaomi, how to access them through the file manager and what nuances should be considered when working with backups.

It's important to understand that the location of the note files depends on the MIUI version and the device model. For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13, the path may be different from the Xiaomi 12T with MIUI 14. Also, notes can be stored both locally on the device and in the Mi Cloud - and this also affects the process of finding them. If you never set up sync, all data remains only in the phone's memory, which can lead to their loss when reset.

Before you start searching for a folder, make sure your device has a standard Notes app installed (yellow notebook icon). If you use third-party apps like Google Keep or ColorNote, their data is stored in other directories, as we will also discuss below.

Where exactly Xiaomi notes are stored: the path to files

By default, notes from the standard Xiaomi app are stored in a secure folder, and the full path looks like this:

/data/data/com.miui.notes/files/notes/

However, access to this directory is only possible with root or ADB permissions. Without them, you won't see a folder in a standard file manager. An alternative way is to use the built-in function of exporting notes to a.zip or.xml file, but more on that later.

If you don't have root rights but need to save notes urgently, use cloud sync via Mi Account.

1. Open the Notes app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Sync with Mi Cloud and turn on the switch.

After that, all the notes will be automatically uploaded to the cloud and made available on i.mi.com under Notes, a method that works even without access to the phone’s file system.

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If you plan to reset your phone to factory settings, first check if notes are synchronized with Mi Cloud, without which all local data will be deleted without recovery.

How to find notes through file manager (without root)

Without superuser rights, you can't directly open the /data/data/... folder, but there's a workaround. The standard Notes app allows you to export all the records to a file, which you can then copy to a computer or another phone. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Notes app.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Export notes.
3. Choose the format: TXT (simple text) or HTML (saving formatting).
4. Specify the folder to save (for example, Downloads or Documents).
5. Confirm the export. The file will be called notes_export_[date.zip.

Now you can find this archive in your selected folder through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Total Commander). Unlock it, and inside you will find individual files for each note.

Make sure all notes are saved|Select the format TXT or HTML|Specify the folder for export|Check the created archive in the file manager|Copy the file to another medium-->

If you need to transfer notes to another Xiaomi phone, simply copy that archive to a new device and import it through the same Notes app (Import option in the menu).

Difference Between Local and Cloud Storage

Notes on Xiaomi can be stored in two places:

• 📱 Locally – only on the device itself in a secure folder /data/data/com.miui.notes/. Available without internet, but removed when resetting settings.
• ☁️ In the cloud, Mi Cloud — synced with your Mi Account, available on all devices with one account, recover from a reset.

By default, sync is disabled, so most users don't even know that their notes are not protected from loss.

1. Open your notes. → Settings.
2. Look at Mi Cloud Sync, and if the switch is grey, the data is only stored locally.

If sync is enabled but notes are not displayed in the cloud, try:

• 🔄 Update data manually (swipe down in the note list).
• 📶 Check your internet connection (sync only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔑 Re-enter the Mi Account in the phone settings.

Phone only (locally) |Sync with Mi Cloud|Using Google Keep or other app |I don't use notes-->

How to Recover Deleted Notes

If you accidentally delete a note, you can restore it within 30 days through the app basket.

1. Open your notes.
2. Tap it on three points. → Basket.
3. Select the desired note and click Restore.

If 30 days have passed or you have reset your phone without a backup, the chances of recovery are minimal.

• 🔍 Check Mi Cloud backups: Go to i.mi.com and see if there are older versions of notes.
• 💾 Recovery through ADB: If the phone is not reset, you can try extracting note files using the command: adb pull /data/data/com.miui.notes/files/notes/ (Root or debugging bridge rights required).
• 📱 Using third-party utilities: programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver sometimes help to recover deleted data, but success is not guaranteed.

Important: After resetting your settings without backup, local note recovery is impossible. Always enable sync with Mi Cloud if you want to avoid data loss.

Transfer notes to another phone (including non-Xiaomi)

If you change your phone to another Xiaomi model, the easiest way to transfer notes is to sync with Mi Cloud, and just log in to the same account on the new device, and all data will be downloaded automatically.

To transfer to a phone of another brand (for example, Samsung or iPhone), use the export in a universal format:

1. Export notes to HTML or TXT (as described above).
2. Copy the file to a new phone (e.g., via Google Drive or USB cable).
3. Import notes to the app on a new device: On Android: use Google Keep or ColorNote (supports import from files). On iPhone: import through Notes (pre-converting the file to.txt).

If you have a lot of notes, it is more convenient to use cloud services:

For users who change phones frequently, taking notes on cross-platform services like Google Keep or Evernote is the best option, eliminating the need to transfer data when changing devices.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When working with notes on Xiaomi, users face typical errors. Let's consider the most common and ways to fix them:

• ❌ No notes are displayed after the update MIUI: often associated with cache failure. Try to clear the application data (Settings) → Annexes → Notes → Warehouse → Clear the data. Attention: this will delete all unsynchronized notes!
• ❌ Mi Cloud sync doesn't work: check if the Internet is turned on and if the Mi Account is authorized. Sometimes it helps to reboot the phone.
• ❌ You can't export notes: make sure you have enough space in your phone's memory. If the export is interrupted, try breaking notes into pieces.
• ❌ Notes are duplicated: this happens when local data and cloud data conflict. Turn off sync, delete duplicates manually, then turn on sync again.

If the Notes app doesn’t open at all or gives you an error, try:

1. Reinstall the application through Settings → Apps → Notes → Remove updates.
2. Clear cache and data (but remember, this will delete all local notes!).
3. Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.

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Before any manipulation of the Notes app (cache cleanup, data deletion, reinstallation), be sure to check if sync with Mi Cloud is enabled. Without it, all local data will be lost.

If the problem is not resolved, contact Xiaomi via the official website or forum c.mi.com. Attach screenshots of the error and specify the phone model, MIUI version and steps that led to the failure.

Alternative app for notes on Xiaomi

Notes from Xiaomi is convenient, but not without its drawbacks: there is no cross-platform, limited formatting features and dependence on Mi Cloud. If you need additional features, consider alternatives:

• 📝 Google Keep: Simple interface, sync with Google Account, support for voice notes and reminders. Perfect for users who often switch between Android devices.
• 📌 Evernote: Advanced formatting, tags, text search in PDF. Suitable for working with large amounts of information.
• 🎨 ColorNote: bright stickers, password-blocking notes, home screen widgets, popular with users who like customization.
• 🔒 Standard Notes: Note encryption, open source. Optimal for sensitive data.

When you switch to another app, remember to transfer the old notes.

1. Export data from the standard Xiaomi app to TXT or HTML.
2. Import them to a new application (most support importing from files).
3. Set up automatic sync (like Google Drive or Dropbox).

If you decide to opt out of standard Notes entirely, disable syncing with Mi Cloud to avoid data conflicts.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions