Moving notes to a new app: what steps are needed?
Exporting and checking
Most apps can export notes as plain text, Markdown, HTML, or a bundle of files. Choose the format that keeps the most structure, and check whether tags, links, and images come through.
Open a sample of exported notes in a text editor or another app to see how they look. Problems like broken images or lost formatting are easier to fix before you import hundreds of notes.
- Export in a standard format where possible.
- Check links and tags after export.
- Confirm attachments are included.
- Test a small batch before moving everything.
Importing and cleaning up
Import the test batch first and review how folders and tags were created in the new app. Adjust naming or folder structure before the full import to avoid a mess.
Keep the old app's export as an archive for a while after the move. That copy gives you a fallback if something important did not transfer.
Keep a short list of anything that did not transfer cleanly, such as embedded tables or custom tags, and rebuild those items in the new app once you know the pattern. That list turns a messy move into a clear to-do list.
Common mistakes
- Importing the whole library before testing a sample.
- Deleting the old app's data before confirming the import worked.
- Assuming tags and links always transfer perfectly.
