How to Transfer Notes to a New Phone

Quick Tips

• Transferring Notes from one device to another can be super simple or tricky, depending on the app
• The best option is to use Google Keep for Android devices, as is Apple Notes for Apple devices
• Transferring notes from Android to iPhone or vice-versa requires a third-party app that is compatible with both platforms

Transferring notes from an Android phone to another Android phone depends on the note-taking app you are using. If you are running stock Android, your phone will mostly include the Google Keep app. If, however, you are using a customized version of Android, such as devices from OnePlus, Samsung, Xiaomi, etc., they might have their own note apps besides Google Keep. The process is different in both cases.

Method 1: Transfer Notes from Android to Android Using Google Keep

Google Keep is a free note-taking app that runs on all Android phones. It is available on iOS devices and has a web version too. Now, if your notes are stored in Google Keep, you are in luck. All you need to do is download the app on your new Android phone and sign into the same Google account you use on the first device.

If sync is enabled on the second phone (more on that below), all your notes from the first phone, including any media, will show up on the new phone. To enable sync for Google Keep, open the app. You will find a notification informing you that sync is off with an option to enable it. Tap on Turn on sync. If you don’t see the notification, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Settings on your phone and go to Accounts or Sync. Next, tap on Google, followed by the account name. Some phones list Google accounts directly. Tap on it.

Step 2: Now, tap on Account Sync and then turn the toggle on for Keep Notes.

Repeat the steps on your new phone. Wait for some time so that the notes are synced.

Method 2: Transfer Notes from Other Apps to a New Phone

If you use the preinstalled Notes app (other than Google Keep), the process will be difficult unless you’ve upgraded your phone to the same brand. That’s because most of these apps are limited to their brands only.

Take the case of Samsung Notes, which is available only on Samsung phones. So, if you are switching between two Samsung phones, then you will have some respite since the notes will sync automatically when you use the same account on both phones.

However, if you are moving to a different brand, you will have to move your notes manually to a cross-platform note-taking app first. Then, you need to download the app on your latest phone and sign in with the same account. One of the best, free apps that you can use is Google Keep. That said, Google Keep doesn’t let you import notes simultaneously. You’ll need to share them one at a time.

Read Also: Find out how to transfer Samsung notes to Google Keep.

To transfer notes to Google Keep, launch your existing note-taking app and open any note. Tap on the Send or Share button and choose Google Keep from the list. Repeat the steps for all the notes.

Method 3: Transfer Notes Between iOS Devices

Things are seemingly easy if you are switching between iPhones since they have a standard Notes app. So, if you are using that app, log in with the same Apple ID on your new phone. Once you do that, the notes from the old phone will be available on the new one.

However, do make sure iCloud for Notes is enabled. To do so, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on your name. Next, tap on iCloud. The toggle next to Notes should be green.

Step 2: Open the Notes app and make sure your notes are residing under the iCloud label. If they are present under ‘On this device’ label, move them to iCloud.

Also See: Find out how to view Apple Notes on Android.

Method 4: Transfer Notes from Android to iPhone

To move your notes from Android to iOS, you have to be using a cross-platform notes app such as Google Keep, Evernote, Nimbus Notes, etc. With cross-platform apps, you need to sign in with the same account, and your data will be synced.

If you are using an app that isn’t available on iOS, you need to transfer your notes to a cross-platform app manually. Then, download the new app on the iPhone and sign in with the same account. Your notes will appear there.

Alternatively, if the current notes app has a web version, you can copy-paste the notes to iCloud Notes. That is another way to transfer notes to your iPhone.

Method 5: Transfer Notes from iPhone to Android

If you are using a cross-platform app such as Google Keep, Simple Note, Evernote, etc., you must be familiar with the need to sign in to the app on your Android phone with the same account details.

However, if you have been using Apple’s preinstalled Notes app, there are three ways to transfer your notes to Android. First, install Google Keep on your iPhone and then share the notes from the Apple Notes app individually to Google Keep. Finally, install Google Keep on your Android device, too.

Secondly, you can copy-paste the notes from the iCloud website to the web version of the cross-platform note-taking app. Lastly, you can transfer the notes to Gmail.