Xiaomi Notes – What is this app and how to use it: the full guide 2026

Xiaomi Notes is a proprietary note-taking app that is preinstalled on all smartphones of the brand under the control of MIUI Many users are unaware of its existence, preferring third-party solutions like Google Keep or Evernote. Xiaomi Notes, meanwhile, offers unique features, close integration with the brand ecosystem, and a number of hidden features that make it a worthy alternative to popular peers.

In this article, we’ll look at what Xiaomi Notes are, from basic features to advanced features that aren’t written about in the official instructions. How to synchronize notes between devices, restore deleted records, configure notifications, and even use the collaboration app. And compare it to competitors and answer the question: should we switch from traditional services to a proprietary solution from Xiaomi?

What is Xiaomi Notes and Why You Need It

Notes Xiaomi (or just Notes in the Russian version) MIUI/HyperOS) — It's a standard text, voice and handwriting app that's designed specifically for Xiaomi's ecosystem devices, and pre-installed on all of the brand's smartphones, including the Redmi lines, POCO Black Shark and also available for download on Google Play for other Android devices.

The main advantage of Xiaomi Notes is deep integration with firmware. For example, you can:

• 📝 Create notes directly from the lock screen (via widget or gesture).
• 🔍 Quickly search for text inside notes through a global search MIUI.
• 📱 Sync data between smartphone, tablet and even Xiaomi Smart Band (on some models).
• 🔒 Encrypt confidential records with a password or fingerprint.

The app supports all major note formats:

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with HyperOS (2026), the Notes app received an updated interface and the function “Smart Notes”, which automatically categorizes entries by topic (for example, “Work”, “Personal”, “Shopping”) based on text analysis.

How to use Xiaomi Notes: basic features

To get started with the app, just open it from the menu or through the icon on the desktop. Next you will see the main screen with existing notes (if any) and the button to create a new one (plus in the lower right corner).

Note-making:

• 📄 Press on "+" → Select the type of note (text, checklist, voice or handwritten).
• 🎨 For text notes formatting tools are available: color highlighting, bold/emphasis, labeled lists.
• 📌 To pin the note at the top of the list, click on the three dots in the upper right corner. → Secure.

Editing and organization:

• 🗑️ To delete the note, swipe it to the left or click Delete in the menu.
• 📂 For grouping notes, use folders (created through the folder management menu).
• 🔍 To find a note, type a query in the search bar at the top – the system searches not only by name, but also by content.

Voice notes:

This is useful for quickly storing ideas or dictating text, so you can create a voice note.

1. Press "+" → select Voice Note.
2. Press the red recording button and start talking.
3. After the recording is over, the application will offer to convert the audio into text (available for Russian, English and Chinese).

Enable synchronization with Mi Account|Create a folder for work notes|Set up a widget on the main screen|Checking voice recognition in Russian|Set a reminder for an important note-->

Synchronization and backup of notes

One of Xiaomi’s key features is synchronization between devices via Mi Account, which allows you to access notes from any Xiaomi smartphone or tablet, and also recover data after resetting. Here’s how it works:

How to turn on synchronization:

1. Open the Notes. → Click on the profile avatar in the upper left corner.
2. Select Settings → Synchronization of notes.
3. Turn on the switch and log in to Mi Account (if not authorized).

What to do if your notes are not synchronized:

• 🔄 Check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔒 Make sure you use the same Mi Account on all devices.
• 📱 Update the Notes app to the latest version on Google Play.
• 🔧 Restart the device – sometimes it helps to resume syncing.

Backup and recovery:

If you lose access to notes (for example, after a phone reset), they can be restored:

1. Sign in to the same Mi Account that was used earlier.
2. Open the Notes. → Settings → Restore notes.
3. Select the right backup (if there are several).

⚠️ Note: Mi Account sync only works for notes created in Xiaomi’s proprietary Notes app. If you imported notes from other services (like Google Keep), they won’t sync automatically.

Xiaomi Notes|Google Keep|Apple Notes|Evernote|Other-->

Hidden features Xiaomi Notes, which few people know

In addition to the basic features, Xiaomi Notes has a few Easter eggs and hidden chips that can make it much easier to work with notes.

1. Quickly create a note from the lock screen:

If you need to write down the idea without unlocking your phone:

• 🔑 Swipe two fingers down the lock screen (on the MIUI 14/HyperOS).
• 📝 A window will appear for a quick note - enter the text and save.

2. Text recognition in photographs (OCR):

You can extract text from images directly in the notes:

1. Create a new note → click on the camera icon.
2. Take a picture of the document or select a photo from the gallery.
3. Click on the text icon (as the letter "T") - the application recognizes the text and pastes it into the note.

Collaboration on notes:

Starting with Notes 4.5.0 (2023), it is possible to share notes with other users:

• 👥 Open the note. → press three points → Share.
• 🔗 Select the method of sending (link, Mi Share, messengers).
• 🔄 Employees can edit a note in real time (similar to Google Docs).

Voice reminders:

You can set a reminder not only by time, but also by location:

• 📍 When you create a note, click on the reminder. → Choose the Location.
• 🗺️ Enter an address (such as “home” or “work”) – a note will pop up when you are near.

Xiaomi Notes Comparison with Google Keep and Apple Notes

Many users are doubtful whether to switch to the branded Xiaomi app or stay on the usual services.

Who will be good with Xiaomi Notes:

• 📱 Smartphone owners Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO, Those who want maximum integration with the firmware.
• 🎤 Those who use voice notes in Russian often (recognition works better than Google Keep).
• 🖋️ Fans of handwritten notes and drawings (drawing tools are more advanced than in Keep).

Who better to choose an alternative:

• 🌍 Users of several brands (e.g. Xiaomi) + iPhone, as sync via Mi Account only works on Xiaomi devices.
• 🔍 Those who are used to powerful search and tags in Evernote or OneNote.

💡

Xiaomi wins over competitors thanks to deep integration with the MIUI/HyperOS, support of the Russian language in voice notes and unique functions such as OCR But for cross-platform use, Google Keep or Evernote is better suited.

How to Transfer Notes from Google Keep or Apple Notes to Xiaomi Notes

If you decide to switch to a Xiaomi app, but you're afraid of losing your old notes, you can import them.

Transfer from Google Keep:

1. Open Google Keep on your computer → select a note → Press More. → Copy it in Google Docs.
2. In Google Docs, select text and copy it (Ctrl)+C).
3. Open Xiaomi Notes → create a new note → insert text (Ctrl)+V).
4. 🔄 Repeat for all notes (no automatic importation).

Transfer from Apple Notes (from iPhone to Xiaomi):

• 📱 On the iPhone, open Notes. → select a note → Press Share. → Export how PDF.
• 📎 Send. PDF by email or messenger.
• 📱 On Xiaomi, open up. PDF → copy → Insert it into Xiaomi Notes.

Automatic import through third-party applications:

For mass transfer, you can use applications like NoteSync (available on Google Play):

1. Install NoteSync and log in to Google Account and Mi Account.
2. Select the source (Google Keep or Apple Notes) and the target (Xiaomi Notes).
3. Click Sync - notes will be transferred automatically.

⚠️ Note: Manual transfer loses formatting (bold text, lists, images). Use export to preserve the structure PDF or specialized applications like NoteSync.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Despite the convenience, Xiaomi Notes users sometimes encounter bugs or non-obvious issues, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

1. Notes are not synchronized between devices:

• 🔄 Check if synchronization is enabled in the settings (Notes) → Settings → Synchronizing notes).
• 📶 Make sure both devices have the same Mi Account and a stable internet connection.
• 🔧 Update the app to the latest version or reinstall it.

2. Disappeared notes after updating or resetting:

• 🔍 Check the Recycle Bin folder in Notes – deleted notes are stored there for 30 days.
• 🔄 If notes were synced with Mi Account, try recovering them via Notes → Settings → Restore notes.
• 📧 Write in support of Xiaomi (via Settings) → Passport → Feedback) indicating the time of disappearance of notes.

3. Voice recognition in Russian does not work:

• 📱 Make sure you have the latest version of Notes installed (at least 4.5.0).
• 🌐 Check the system language: Settings → Additionally. → Language and input → The language must be Russian.
• 🔊 If the problem persists, try recording a voice note in a quiet room – noise can interfere with recognition.

4. You cannot edit the note after sharing:

• 🔒 Check access rights: Note owner can restrict editing (view only).
• 📱 Update the app – there were collaboration bugs in the old versions.
• 🔄 Ask the owner to resend the invitation.

💡

If notes are missing after the firmware update, try rolling back to the previous Notes version via Settings. → Annexes → Notes → Remove updates. Often this helps to get back lost data.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions