How to move your notes to a new phone
Short answer: most notepad apps store notes only on the phone, so you need a copy before you switch. There are three ways: (1) Android device backup or phone-to-phone transfer, (2) an app backup file restored on the new phone, or (3) sharing notes as text. Option 2 is the most reliable.
1. Android backup or phone-to-phone transfer
When you set up a new phone from your old one or from a Google backup, apps that support Android Auto Backup may get their data back too. But support varies by app, and you can't easily check in advance — which is how people end up saying "I saved months of notes then got a new phn".
2. Restore from the app's backup file (recommended)
If the app creates a backup file, copy that file to the new phone and load it with the app's restore option. The file is in your hands, so you can see that it moved.
The common mistake is leaving the backup only inside the app's private storage: uninstall the app or break the phone and it's gone with it ("your notes are gone forever if you delete the app"). Keep it in a folder outside the app, like Downloads or Documents, and copy it over by cable, cloud drive or messenger.
3. Share notes as text
With just a few notes, you can share each one to email or a messenger and paste it on the new phone. With many notes this gets tedious.
4. Moving notes with Jotwell
Jotwell moves notes with a backup file, no account needed. Each backup zip holds a restore file (notes.json) plus every note as a plain .txt, so you can read your notes even without the app.
- On the old phone, pick a backup folder in Settings (weekly backups start automatically)
- Tap Back up now for an up-to-date zip
- Copy that zip to the new phone
- Install Jotwell on the new phone and choose Settings > Restore from backup
- Your notes are back — notes already on the new phone are kept
New phone, same notes
Get Jotwell on Google Play