How to Cancel Last Action in Notes on Xiaomi: Recover Deleted Records and Reverse Changes

Have you accidentally deleted an important note on Xiaomi or overwritten it with incorrect data? Don't panic - Xiaomi's Notes app has mechanisms for undoing actions, restoring previous versions, and even returning deleted records. In this article, we'll look at all the available ways, from basic Ctrl+Z to hidden sync functions with Mi Account.

It's important to understand that cancellation options depend on the version of MIUI (or HyperOS on new models), account type and backup settings. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14, the recovery algorithm differs from POCO F5 on HyperOS 1.0. We tested all methods on current firmware in 2026 and identified those that work stably.

If you're looking for a way to return a note you deleted a few days ago, you can immediately go to the Mi Cloud recovery section. To undo the latest edits, read about the hotkeys and the history of the changes.

How to Cancel Actions in Xiaomi Notes: Basic Principles

Xiaomi’s Notes app uses a two-tier cancellation system:

🔄 Local cancellation - only valid in the current editing session (until the note closes) works on the principle of stack: the last action is canceled first (LIFO).
☁️ Cloud Cancel - available when synced with Mi Account, allows you to restore notes deleted up to 30 days ago.

The key nuance is that without synchronizing with Mi Cloud, it is almost impossible to restore a note after the application is closed - the local history is erased. This also applies to root rights: even with root access, note files (.db or.xml) are stored in encrypted form.

On new HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the algorithm has changed: the history of changes is now stored longer (up to 7 days without synchronization), but requires the activation of the AutoSave drafts function in the application settings.

📊 What version? MIUI/HyperOS You're using it?

MIUI 12 or older

MIUI 13

MIUI 14

HyperOS 1.0

I don't know.

Method 1: Hot and Undo buttons (Ctrl+Z)

The fastest method is to use standard cancellation combinations, which only work when you edit a note:

⌨️ On the keyboard: press Ctrl + Z (cancellation) or Ctrl + Y (return) on some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) external keyboard may be required.
📱 On screen: There are arrows in the top tulbar of notes ← Cancel and → On HyperOS, they're hidden under a badge. ⋮ → History of edits.
🖱️ Undo gesture: some firmware runs swipe left with three fingers on the screen (analogue Undo in iOS).

Limitations of the method:

❌ Not working after closing the note.
❌ Reverses actions only in reverse order (you can't selectively remove one change from the middle of the story).
❌ Maximum number of cancellation steps – 20 actions (configured in Settings) → Additionally. → Cancellation limit).

💡

If the cancellation buttons are inactive, try shaking the phone - on some firmware this includes Undo mode (as in the iPhone).

Method 2: Note version history (up to 7 days)

Starting with MIUI 13, the Notes app introduced version history, which saves a snapshot of a note every 5 minutes of editing.

Open the note that needs to be restored.
Press on. ⋮ (three-point) → History of versions.
Select the date and time you want from the list (shown as AutoSave from 12:30).
Click Restore this version.

Important details:

🕒 Storage period: 7 days MIUI 14/HyperOS, 3 day-to-day MIUI 12-13.
📱 Space required: history stored in the device's memory, and when space is scarce, old versions are automatically deleted.
☁️ Sync: If the note is synced to Mi Cloud, version history is available on other devices.

Is the note open?|Is there any internet access (for cloud versions)?|Is there enough free space on the device?|Have all available dates in history been checked?-->

If the version history is empty, check the settings:

Go to Notes Settings → Autosave.
Make sure options are enabled: Save version history AutoSave drafts

Method 3: Recovery via Mi Cloud (up to 30 days)

If a note has been deleted or overwritten more than a week ago, the only way to get it back is through Mi Cloud, which works only if:

🔗 You have a fully connected and active Mi Account.
☁️ Notes Settings Included Synchronization with Mi Cloud.
📅 The removal occurred no more than 30 days ago.

Instructions for remediation:

Open the Notes app.
Go to the basket (the icon in the bottom menu).
Find the deleted note and click on it.
Select Restore (the icon with the arrow up).

If there are no notes in the basket:

Visit i.mi.com from your computer.
Sign in with the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
Go to the Notes section → Basket.
Restore the note from there – it syncs back to the phone for 5 minutes.

What if the note is not recovered from the cart?

If the note is not displayed in the Mi Cloud Recycle Bin, check: 1. Delete Date – the Recycle Bin only stores notes for 30 days. 2. Synchronization – if the note was created without an Internet connection, it may not have gone to the cloud. 3. Account – maybe the note was tied to another Mi Account (for example, if you changed your account). 4. Conflicts – if the note was edited on several devices at the same time, the last version could overwrite the old one. At the last try to contact support via a form on the site, attaching a screen of Xiaomi history (if it was notified).

Synchronization warning:

⚠️ Note: If you have disabled sync with Mi Cloud after deleting a note, it will not be possible to restore it through the cloud. The local cart on the phone stores notes for only 7 days (on HyperOS - 14 days), after which they are deleted irrevocably.

Method 4: Restore from backup (for experienced)

If you regularly backup through Settings → System → Backup, you can try extracting notes from the archive, which is suitable for users with root rights or those who have saved backups on a PC.

Instructions for recovery from the local backup:

Connect your phone to your computer and copy the /MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.
Find the latest backup (file with.mbk extension).
Use the XiaomiBackupExtractor utility to extract data.
In the unpacked files, find the com.miui.notes folder, where notes are stored in.json format.

For users without root:

📱 Restore the entire backup through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Local backup.
⚠️ Careful: This will overwrite all current data on the phone!

Method of recovery	Duration of validity	Mi Account required	Root is required.
Hot keys (Ctrl+Z)	Before the note closes	❌ No.	❌ No.
History of versions	3-7 days	❌ No, but recommended)	❌ No.
Mi Cloud basket	30 days	✅ Yes.	❌ No.
Local backup	Depends on the backup date.	❌ No.	✅ For selective recovery
Third-party utilities (such as Dr.Fone)	Before the data is rewritten	❌ No.	✅ Partially.

💡

The most reliable way is to sync with Mi Cloud. Even if you don't plan to restore notes, turn it on just in case: Notes Settings → Sync → Mi Cloud.

Method 5: Third-party utilities (last chance)

If none of the above methods worked, you can try specialized data recovery software, and we tested a few and identified the ones that work with Xiaomi:

🔧 Dr.Fone – Data Recovery: Recovers notes from internal memory, but requires root for deep scanning.
📱 Tenorshare UltData: Supports data extraction from Mi Cloud backups (if you have access to your account).
💻 EaseUS MobiSaver: Suitable for recovery from memory card (if notes were saved there).

Important warnings:

⚠️ Do not install programs on the same phone that deleted the notes - this can overwrite the remaining data.
⚠️ Most utilities require disabling encryption (c Settings) → Security → Encryption, which reduces the protection of the device.
⚠️ Free versions often show "ghost" files that can't be recovered without purchasing a license.

The recovery algorithm with Dr.Fone:

Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times Press → Additional → For Developers).
Run Dr.Fone and select Android Data Recovery.
Specify the type of data: Documents and notes.
Follow the instructions of the program (root may be required).

💡

Before using third-party utilities, check their reputation on 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums. Some programs (such as FonePaw) are known for collecting user data.

How to Avoid Losing Your Notes in the Future: 5 Prevention Measures

The best way to combat data loss is to prevent it, and here are the proven methods.

☁️ Enable automatic synchronization: Notes settings → Synchronization → Mi Cloud (enable) This will save copies of all notes in the cloud.
📤 Export important notes: Open the note → ⋮ → Exports → A text file (.txt) or PDF You can send the file to the mail or save it to Google Drive.
🔄 Set up auto-save: Notes settings → Autopreservation → Interval: 1 minute
📥 Regular backups: Settings → System system → Backup → Local backup (weekly)
🔒 Protection against Accidental Deletion: Notes Settings → Security → Request for confirmation upon deletion

For business users, we recommend:

📊 Use the web version of Notes for editing on PC – there the history of changes is stored longer.
🔐 Set up two-factor authentication for Mi Account to avoid hacking and loss of cloud access.

⚠️ Note: If you use sensitive notes (passwords, card data), don’t store them in the standard Notes app. Instead, use Xiaomi Password Manager or third-party services like KeepassDX with local encryption.

Frequent Questions About Recovering Notes on Xiaomi

Can I recover a note that was deleted more than a month ago?

Unfortunately, no. Mi Cloud only stores deleted notes in the cart for 30 days, and then they are deleted permanently, and the only chance is if you have a local phone backup that was taken before it was deleted.

Why is Ctrl+Z not working on my POCO?

On some POCO models (e.g., the POCO X3 Pro), the Ctrl+Z combination only works with a physical keyboard connected. Try: Use the Cancel button in the toolbar. Set a hot keyboard (e.g., Gboard) to shake the phone -- on some firmwares, this will activate cancellation.

How to transfer notes from one Xiaomi to another?

There are three ways: via Mi Cloud: On an old phone: Notes Settings → Sync → Mi Cloud (enable). On a new phone: log in to the same Mi Account and wait for sync. Through export/import: On an old phone: export notes to.txt or.pdf. Remove files to a new phone and import them through Notes Settings → Import. Through the MIUI backup: Make a backup on an old phone (Settings → Backup) On an old phone: Move the file to.txt or.pdf. Transfer the new phone, it requires a fast internet backup to the new phone, but the new way it is the new way to the cloud.

Can I recover notes after resetting the phone to factory settings?

Yes, but only if: You backed up Mi Cloud or locally. You remember Mi Account, which was attached to the notes. After reset: Log in to the same Mi Account when you set up your phone. Enable Notes sync in Mi Cloud. Wait until sync is complete (may take up to 10 minutes). If the backup is not available, recovery is impossible, reset deletes all local data.

Why is there no note in the history of versions?

Possible causes: 📵 Autosave disabled: check Notes Settings → Autopreservation. ⏳ Note not edited: history only survives changes. 🗑️ Note deleted: version history erased along with note. 🔄 Synchronization conflict: If a note was edited on multiple devices at the same time, the story could be overwritten. Try enabling Advanced Log Management in the app settings (available on HyperOS).