Changing your smartphone is always stressful, especially when you need to transfer personal data accumulated over the years. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem often face an unexpected problem when switching to Samsung: The standard Mi Notes app does not have native support on new competitor devices, and the data stored in a proprietary format simply does not show up after installation. SIM-card.
Fortunately, technology has been able to do this in a number of ways, from cloud synchronization to manual export, and the key here is to choose the right method based on the number of notes and access to the Internet, and we'll look at all the options that are relevant so that you don't lose any important records when you migrate.
Before you start the action, you need to pre-train both devices, which will take a few minutes, but will save you hours of nerves in the future, and make sure that both smartphones are at least 50 percent charged and connected to a stable Wi-Fi network, as text data and attachments can consume traffic.
Preparation of devices and accounts
The first step to a successful transfer is to set up accounts. Xiaomi devices often use the Mi Account and Google Account bundle. To switch to the Samsung Galaxy, you will need an active Google account, as it will become a bridge for data transfer between different Android shells (MIUI/HyperOS and One UI).
Check if you're syncing on your old phone. Go to your settings and look for Accounts and Sync. Make sure that the sliders are active in front of the right services. If you're planning to use cloud services, having a stable Internet connection is a must.
β οΈ Note: Do not perform a full Wipe Data reset on an old Xiaomi phone until you are 100% sure that all notes are correctly displayed and edited on the new Samsung.
You should also upgrade to the latest versions of the app, go to the Google Play Store or GetApps and check for updates for system components and note apps. Older versions of the software may contain bugs that prevent the correct export of data.
βοΈ Checklist before migration
Method 1: Sync with Google Keep (Recommended)
The most reliable and versatile way to migrate is to use Google Keep. This app is developed by Google, so it's perfectly integrated into Android and works equally well on Xiaomi and Samsung. It allows you not only to migrate text, but also to save lists, images and voice recordings.
To start, install the Google Keep app on your Xiaomi if it's not installed by default. Open it and log in to your Google account. Then you need to import existing notes. In newer versions of MIUI, the system itself can offer synchronization, but most often manual transfer or copying is required.
- π Open the Notes app on Xiaomi and highlight the required entries.
- π€ Click the βShareβ or βSendβ button in the menu.
- π© Select from the list of Google Keep apps.
- β Confirm the creation of a new note in the Google service.
Once you have all the Google Keep entries on your old device, pick up a new Samsung. Download the Google Keep app from the Play Market (if it's not pre-installed) and log in with the same account. All your notes will appear automatically in a few seconds thanks to cloud sync.
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Use the Archiving feature in Google Keep for old but important notes so they donβt cornen your eyes in the general list, but remain searchable.
Method 2: Exporting through Mi Cloud and Web Interface
If you have a huge amount of records and you don't have time to copy them manually, you can use Mi Cloud storage, which is a good way to upload text-based data through your browser, bypassing the limitations of mobile applications.
Go to Xiaomi's settings, select "Mi Account" and make sure that note sync is enabled. Wait until the data upload to Xiaomi's servers is complete. Then go to your computer or directly to your browser on your smartphone.
Open your browser and go to the official i.mi.com website. Sign in using your Mi ID. In the cloud interface, select Notes. Here you will see a list of all your entries. Select the ones you want or select All, then find the export button. Usually the data is saved in.txt or.vcf format.
| Parameter | Google Keep | Mi Cloud (Web) | Samsung Smart Switch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Low. |
| Preserving formatting | Complete. | Partial (text) | Depends on the version. |
| A PC is needed. | No. | Preferably. | No. |
| Speed. | Tall. | Medium | Tall. |
Once you download the file to your computer, send it to your own mail or upload it to Google Drive. On Samsung, open the file and copy the content to any convenient application, such as Samsung Notes. It's a longer journey, but it guarantees the safety of text information even when you change platforms.
What to do if Mi Cloud is not allowed?
Method 3: Using Samsung Smart Switch
Samsung has developed a powerful migration tool called Smart Switch, which is designed to make it easier for users to switch from any Android smartphone, including Xiaomi, but Xiaomiβs native notes are mixed.
Install the Smart Switch Mobile app on both devices. On Xiaomi, it can be simply called "Smart Switch" or built into the system when you first set up. Run the app on both phones. On the new Samsung, select "Receive Data" and on Xiaomi, select "Send Data."
Connect devices via Wi-Fi Direct or a dedicated USB-OTG (Type-C to Type-C) cable, which is more stable and faster. Once connected, the phones will suggest you choose data types to transfer. Note the list: if it has Notes or Notes, check the box.
- π Connect cables or select a wireless connection.
- π± Allow access to data on both screens.
- β Select βNotesβ from the list of transmitted content.
- π Click "Transfer" and wait until it is completed.
β οΈ Note: Smart Switch may not see Mi Notes if they are not synced with Google Contacts or if the version is not synced with the Notes. MIUI Blocks third-party applications from accessing the note database for security reasons.
If the transfer is successful, open the Samsung Notes app on Samsung. Your records should be there. If they are not, then MIUI protection did not give access, and you should use the method with Google Keep described above.
Method 4: Install the APK Mi Notes on Samsung
For those who are reluctant to let go of the Mi Notes interface, there is a hacking method. You can try to install the original Xiaomi app on a Samsung phone. However, this does not work on all Android models and versions due to dependencies in system libraries.
You will need to find the relevant APK-The application file "Mi Notes" (or "Notes" from Xiaomi) on a proven resource, for example, APKMirror. Pay attention to the Android version of your Samsung - if you have Android 13 or 14, the older versions of the application may not run.
Before installing, allow your browser to install applications from unknown sources. Go to Settings β Security β Install unknown applications and activate the desired switch. Download the APK and start the installation.
Settings β Applications β Special. access β Install unknown applications β Select a browser β AllowOnce installed, log into your Mi Account within the app. If the service launches, you'll see all your notes synced to the cloud, you can edit them and create new ones. However, keep in mind that these type of system notes may not work smoothly, consume more battery, or have no widget on your desktop.
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APK installation is a temporary solution, and sooner or later the app will no longer be supported on someone elseβs platform, so itβs better to migrate data to Samsung Notes or Google Keep.
Comparison of apps: Mi Notes vs Samsung Notes
After the transfer, you will be faced with a choice: stay in the familiar or master a new one. Samsung Notes is considered one of the best applications for recording on Android. It supports handwriting (which is critical for owners of the Galaxy S Ultra with a S-Pen pen), has a great PDF editor and deep integration with Windows.
Mi Notes is famous for its simplicity and speed, as well as its handy widgets. But Samsung is more functional: it has a voice recorder mode with a binding to text, the ability to insert Office files and a more flexible system of tags and folders. It will take a couple of days to master the new tool, but will open up new possibilities.
The table below compares key features so you understand whatβs in store for you on the new platform.
| Function | Mi Notes (Xiaomi) | Samsung Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Handwritten input | Basic | Advanced (S-Pen) |
| Synchronization with PC | Through the website | Windows application |
| Recording audio | There is. | There (with text synchronization) |
| Export to PDF | There is. | There are (with the preservation of layers) |
Donβt be afraid to experiment with the new appβs settings. Go to the menu (three bars) and select Settings, where you can change the font, theme, and set up cloud sync with OneDrive or Google Drive, which was so lacking in standard Xiaomi notes.
Solving Frequent Problems in Transfer
There can be technical difficulties in migrating. Users often complain that notes are "missing" or appear as "crackers." This usually involves encoding text. If you export notes to a.txt file and open them on Samsung, make sure that the encoding is installed UTF-8.
Another problem is out-of-synchronization. You added a recording on your phone, but it didn't appear on your tablet. Check your battery settings. On Samsung, an aggressive energy saving system can kill background synchronization. Go to Settings β Apps β Samsung Notes (or Google Keep) β Battery and select "Do Not Limit."
- π Check the energy saving mode (turn it off during the transfer).
- π Make sure that the device is not on VPN, Google-blocking.
- π Forced to close and open the app again for updates.
β οΈ Note: If your notes contain important passwords or sensitive data, do not use public Wi-Fi networks without any information. VPN during the synchronization process to avoid data interception.
If nothing works, try a simple but effective method: copy the text of a note and send it to yourself in a messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp) or in a chat "Favorites", which is the "grandfather" way that works whenever complex technical solutions fail.