How to Read Hidden Notes on Xiaomi: From Standard Features to Technical Lifehacks

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer users a handy tool for taking notes, the Notes app (com.miui.notes), but not everyone knows that there are hidden notes in the system that don’t appear in the main list, which can be automatically saved drafts, archived records, or even data from backups that the user did not delete knowingly.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working ways to access hidden notes on Xiaomi – from simple actions in the interface. MIUI beforehand ADB-It is important to understand that some methods require superuser rights (root), and incorrect actions can lead to data loss or system failure. → The phone. → Backup.

If you're looking for a way to recover accidentally deleted notes, go straight to the backup section, and if you want to find records that have disappeared after updating MIUI or resetting, look for methods using File Explorer and ADB.

1.Search for hidden notes through the standard Notes app

Before you resort to technical tricks, check the built-in features of the app “Notes”** (Mi Notes). in MIUI 12-14, developers have added a few “secret” sections, which can get the records:

To check the archive and basket:

1. Open the Notes app.
2. Press on. ⋮ (three-point) → Archive or Basket.
3. If there are no notes, try updating the list with a swipe down.

If these sections are empty, but you're sure that notes should be, move on to the next method, and maybe they're stored in system folders that are not available through the standard interface.

2. Access to hidden notes via File Explorer (no root)

All notes in Xiaomi are stored as files with the extension.json or.db in the system folders. Without root rights, you can't edit them, but it's quite real.

1. Install any file manager with access to system folders, such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
2. Use a SQLite browser (for example, DB Browser for SQLite) to open notes.db and view note or tables trash_note.

⚠️ Note: Do not edit or delete files in the folder /data/data/ directly, it could lead to the collapse of the Notes app.

If you have root, you can use Root Explorer to edit files directly. However, it's risky - changing the database incorrectly can result in the loss of all notes.

3.Recovery of Notes from MIUI Backup

Xiaomi automatically backs up notes when synchronized with Mi Cloud or manually backed up through Settings → About Phone → Backup. To recover notes:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Notes.
2. Make sure the sync is on. If the notes don't show up, press Sync.
3. If sync doesn’t help, try recovering data from the local backup: Settings → About Phone → Backup → Select Archive → Restoring

🔹 Important: Local backups MIUI They're encrypted, and you can't recover individual notes from them without completely rolling back the system. ADB (section).

If backups are missing or don’t contain the necessary notes, move to the next section – there we will look at advanced methods using ADB and third-party utilities.

4. Retrieving notes through ADB (without root but with debugging)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to access system files without root, but requires enabled debugging over USB.

• 🔌 You can connect your phone to your computer.
• 📱 Debugging is enabled on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 💻 Drivers are installed on the computer ADB and Platform Tools.

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Execute the command to copy the notebase: adb pull /data/data/com.miui.notes/databases/notes.db C:\NotesBackup\
4. Open the copied notes.db file in the SQLite browser and export the note table to the CSV.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is locked screen (PIN, graphical), ADB You will not be able to copy files from /data/data/ In this case, only root or unlock the bootloader (which cancels the warranty) will help).

Install Platform Tools on PC| Enable USB debugging on Xiaomi| Connect your phone with the original cable | Check availability with the command `adb devices`| Create a backup folder on PC-->

5.Use of third-party utilities to recover notes

If standard methods do not help, you can use specialized programs for data recovery.

• 🛠️ Dr.Fone - Recovers notes, messages and media files, works without root, but requires a PC connection.
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver scans internal memory for deleted.db files.
• 📱 GT Recovery (for root)-devices - deep scanning of system partitions.

🔹 Important: Most programs recover only deleted notes, not hidden ones. If notes are not deleted but are lost from the interface, it is better to use them. ADB or manual search by file system.

An example of working with Dr.Fone:

1. Install the program on your PC and connect Xiaomi.
2. Select the Android Data Recovery mode.
3. Check the notes and start the scan.
4. Once completed, review the entries found and save them to TXT or HTML.

⚠️ Attention: Some programs (e.g, GT Recovery) requires root rights and can violate the integrity of system files, only use them if other methods fail.

💡

Before using third-party utilities, disable the antivirus on your PC – it can block access to the phone’s system files.

6.Alternative ways: sync with Google and export

If you use a Google account to sync, notes from Xiaomi’s Notes can be duplicated in Google Keep to check:

1. Open Google Keep in your browser.
2. In the search box, enter keywords from missing notes.
3. If you find notes, export them to Google Docs or TXT.

Another way is to manually export from the Notes app:

1. Open the note you want to keep.
2. Press. ⋮ → Exports → TXT/HTML.
3. The file is saved to /storage/emulated/0/Notes/.

If you regularly lose notes, set up automatic export:

• 📧 Set up sending important notes to the mail via Reminders in Mi Notes.

💡

Syncing with Google Keep is the most reliable way to save notes, as they are stored independently of MIUI and are accessible from any device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden notes on Xiaomi