Changing a mobile device is always stressful, associated with the risk of losing important information. This is especially true for notes, which often contain work ideas, shopping lists, or personal thoughts accumulated over years of using the gadget. Ecosystem users often encounter difficulties when switching to smartphones from other brands, such as Xiaomi often face difficulties when switching to smartphones from other brands such as Samsung, Pixel or OnePlus. This is due to the fact that the standard Notes application in the shell MIUI or HyperOS has a proprietary data storage format that is not always read correctly by third-party systems.
Fortunately, modern technologies offer several reliable methods for data migration, from cloud synchronization to manual file export. The specific method you choose depends on how deeply integrated you are into the ecosystem Xiaomi and what note-taking app you plan to use on your new device. In this article, we will analyze each method in detail, assess their risks and benefits, so that you can keep your recordings completely safe.
Synchronization via Mi Cloud and web interface
The easiest and most “native” way to save recordings is to use a cloud service Mi Cloud. By default, the notes application on smartphones Xiaomi offers synchronization with your account Mi Account. If this feature has been activated previously, your data is already on the company's servers. To transfer, just go to the official website of the service through the browser of any computer or new phone.
Go to the portal i.mi.com and log in using your Mi Account. In the web version interface, select the “Notes” section. A complete list of all synced entries will be displayed here. You can view them, edit them and, most importantly, copy the content. However, it is worth considering that direct uploading of all notes in one file via the web interface is often unavailable or limited.
This method is ideal for situational transfer of a small number of important notes. You simply open the note on your old device or on the web, copy the text, and paste it into the new app on the target smartphone. The process requires manual intervention, but ensures that formatting (lists, bold) will be preserved when pasted into a compatible editor.
⚠️ Attention: Synchronization only works for notes created in the standard application. Third-party widgets or entries saved in local folders without a link to the cloud cannot be transferred through this method.
If the amount of information is large, manual copying will become tedious. In this case, it is better to consider options with exporting data or using universal cloud services that work regardless of the phone brand.
Using Google Keep as a universal bridge
The most reliable way to ensure the independence of your data from the smartphone manufacturer is to use the service Google Keep. This application is pre-installed on most devices Android and provides instant synchronization between any gadgets linked to one Google account. Transferring notes from Xiaomi to another Android through this service is almost automatic.
First, install the application Google Keep on your smartphone Xiaomiif it was deleted. Open the standard Notes application MIUI. From the list of notes, select the ones you want to transfer. There is usually a "Send" or "Share" function. Select the export format - "Text" is best or sending directly to the application Keepif the system offers such an option in the "Share" menu.
After the notes appear in Google Keep on your old device, take a new smartphone. Make sure that you are logged into the same account Google. Launch the application Keep —all entries will appear there automatically within a few minutes. This method also allows you to save images, audio recordings and to-do lists, although complex formatting from MIUI can be simplified.
- 📱 Install Google Keep from Play Market on your Xiaomi device.
- 🔄 Use the Share feature in native notes to send to Keep.
- ☁️ Log in to the same Google account on the new smartphone for automatic synchronization.
- 📝 Check for attachments and pictures after transfer.
If you have hundreds of notes, send them in batches of 10-20 pieces so as not to overload the clipboard and avoid freezing of the Notes application for mass export.
Use Google Keep solves the compatibility problem once and for all. In the future, when you change your phone to any other brand, you will not have to repeat complex migration procedures - just log into your account.
Exporting notes to files and manual copying
If you prefer to store data locally or do not trust cloud services, you can use the direct export to files method. The notes application on Xiaomi allows you to save individual notes as text files or image files. This is useful if you need to transfer an archive of notes to another person or save them on an external drive.
Open the note you want and find the menu button (usually three dots in the corner). Select the "Send" or "Export" option. The system will offer to save the note as a .txt file or as an image. The text format is preferable for further editing, while the image is suitable for archival storage of immutable records. Save the files to internal memory or to a card SD.
Next, connect your smartphone Xiaomi to the computer via a USB cable. Find the folder where the exported files were saved (often this is the root directory or folder MIUI/Notes). Copy the files to your computer, and then transfer them to the new device. On the new phone, these files can be opened with any text editor or imported into a notes application that supports working with files.
| Export format | Preserves formatting | Ability to edit | File size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text (.txt) | Partial (bold, lists) | Full | Minimal |
| Image (.jpg) | Full (as screenshot) | Absent | Average |
| PDF (via print) | Full | Limited | Average |
Where to look for hidden folders with notes?
System note databases are stored in the protected directory /data/data/com.miui.notes/databases. Access to it is possible only with root access, so it is easier for an ordinary user to use standard export.
This method takes more time, since each note must be processed separately or in small groups. However, it gives full control over the physical location of files and allows you to create a backup copy that does not depend on company servers.
Using third-party migration applications
There is a category of specialized utilities designed to transfer data between smartphones from different manufacturers. apps like Send Anywhere, SHAREit or proprietary utilities like Move to iOS (not suitable here) and Smart Switch (for Samsung) often have data transfer functions. However, support for the notes database is not always implemented correctly. MIUI they are not always implemented correctly.
A more effective solution is to use cross-platform note managers, such as Evernote, Notion or OneNote. Install such an application on Xiaomi. Then use the import function, if available, or again resort to the “Share” method, sending notes from the native application directly to Evernote or OneNote.
After filling out the database in the third-party application, install it on your new smartphone. All data will be pulled from the intermediary service cloud. This requires initial setup, but in the long run provides a powerful tool for organizing information, accessible even on iPhone or Windowstablet.
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party applications, check your privacy settings. Some free versions may have restrictions on the number of downloaded notes or the size of attachments.
The choice of intermediary application depends on your needs. If you need simple lists, this will do Google Keep. If you need a complex project structure, choose Notion or Evernote.
Features of transferring to Samsung smartphones and other brands
When switching to devices Samsung users often try to use a proprietary utility Smart Switch. This app is really powerful and can transfer contacts, photos and apps. However, when trying to transfer notes from MIUI to Samsung Notes format conflicts often arise. Notes may not appear or may become empty files.
To avoid data loss when changing brands, it is recommended not to rely on automatic conversion out of the box. It is better to first prepare the data on the phone Xiaomiby exporting it to a universal format (as described in the section about Google Keep or files). On a new device Samsung, Honor or Realme simply import this data into the appropriate application.
Some users note that when using a shared account Google and synchronizing contacts, sometimes notes associated with contacts can be transferred automatically. But this only applies to those entries that were created as linked to a specific person in the phone book, and not free notes.
- 🚫 Do not rely on direct conversion of MIUI Notes to Samsung Notes.
- ✅ Use Google Keep as an intermediate link to ensure that the text is saved.
- 📂 Export important records to PDF for archival storage before resetting.
- 🔍 Check the synchronization settings on the new device immediately after turning it on.
The versatility of the data format is more important than the convenience of the native application. It's better to spend an hour setting up Google Keep now than to lose your entries the next time you change your phone.
Remember that app interfaces and capabilities are updated. What worked last year may change in the new firmware version. Always check the current application capabilities in the settings before starting a mass migration.
Common errors and how to resolve them
During the migration process, users often encounter technical problems. One of the common mistakes is trying to transfer notes through a backup Google One without prior configuration. Standard backup Android does not always include data from proprietary applications such as Notes Xiaomiunless they use the standard one Android Backup Service.
Another problem is desync. You may see notes on your computer but not see them on your new phone. In this case, you need to check the synchronization settings in the Settings → Accounts → Googlesection. Make sure that the checkbox next to the “Keep” item or the corresponding service is active and forced synchronization is selected.
Sometimes the text of notes is transferred, but images or voice recordings are lost. This is because when exporting to text format, media attachments are cut off. To save multimedia, use an image format or specialized applications like Evernotethat store attachments in the cloud separately from the text.
⚠️ Attention: Before performing a factory reset on your old Xiaomi phone, make sure that all notes are displayed on the new device or in the cloud. After the reset, it will be impossible to restore local data.
☑️ Checklist before resetting your old phone
If none of the methods helps, try updating the Notes application on your old device to the latest version through the store GetApps or Play Market. Sometimes bugs in older versions of software block the correct export of data.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to transfer notes without the Internet?
Yes, this is only possible by manually exporting to files (.txt or images) and subsequent physical transferring files via Bluetooth, USB cable or memory card. Cloud methods require a network connection.
Will formatting (bold font, lists) be preserved during transfer?
When exporting to a text file, basic formatting is often preserved. When copying via the clipboard to Google Keep lists and bold fonts are usually transferred correctly. Complex formatting may be reset to simple text.
What to do if notes disappear after logging into a new account?
Check whether you are logged into the right account. Notes are tied to a specific Mi Account or Google account. If you have used several emails, try logging in with a different one. Also check the “Archive” or “Trash” folder in the application.
Are voice notes transferred from the Xiaomi application?
Voice notes are often stored as separate audio files. With standard text export, they may not be attached. It is recommended to send such notes via the Share function as an audio file or use the cloud Mi Cloudthat supports attachment synchronization.
Is it safe to use third-party transfer apps?
Well-known applications like Send Anywhere or Google Keep safe. However, avoid little-known utilities that require root access or access to all your data, as this may pose a threat of leakage of personal information.