How to export/backup Notes in macOS in one go

Question

I have a lot of Notes on my machine which I don't want to loose. It's not logical to export them one by one. Is there any way to export them in one go, which would make me either use them on my new

I learned that I could backup ~/Library/Group Containers/group.com.apple.notes but I am not really sure if this would be helpful. This is what I get as for this directory.

$ du -sh ./*
4.0K    ./Library
256K    ./NoteStore.sqlite
 32K    ./NoteStore.sqlite-shm
3.0M    ./NoteStore.sqlite-wal

I am running macOS Mojave.

Answer 1

You can use a third-party app called Notes Exporter to export all notes in one go. After granting access to the Notes data, the app exports each individual note as a separate text file in the location of your choosing.

The only limitation being that you'll need to re-import them one by one if you wish to use them on a new machine.

A better and much simpler approach, if you have the necessary storage space available would be to use iCloud to sync them to the new machine.

Note: No affiliation whatsoever to the developer of the app.

Answer 2

I copied the three files NoteStore.sqlite, NoteStore.sqlite-shm, and NoteStore.sqlite-wal from ~/Library/Group Containers/group.com.apple.notes of one Mac to another and my notes appear there now. All my notes were there, albeit half a day out of sync.

Answer 3

Another great third party app is Exporter. It exports as markdown and keeps both folders and attachments.

Answer 4

What worked for me is:

• Finder > Go > Go to Folder > paste this

  ~/Library/Group Containers/group.com.apple.notes
  

• Select all files > Right click > Share > AirDrop to the device

• Go to the same directory on the other device

• Paste the files there (replace similar file name)

• Quit and restart Notes App

Answer 5

This should definitely Help

THE PROBLEM

This is one of the most sought answers for Mac users. I didn't find any of the answers attempting to solve directly. Neither did I want to use some third-party apps.

Also, when we have fewer notes, maybe, we can copy-paste but what if our whole learnings/sample codes and many more things are there in notes?

Also, copy-paste doesn't take care of many things, for example, date on while it was created maintains the order or notes, those metadata will be simply lost if you copy-paste.

Secondary, If you try to copy-paste the notes from the location it is stored, it's not guaranteed, that your backup will definitely work. maybe you copied the wrong directory, or maybe notes on newer a Mac/different system doesn't work. We can take that risk.

THE SOLUTION

This solution goes through iCloud.

Don't worry, this is the fastest and reliable solution, and will work for almost all of your cases. The setup won't take more than 5 mins.

1. You definitely might be having iCloud account. if not go to System Preferences > iCloud > Create Apple ID.

2. Then, Login into the iCloud account.
3. Then, Open Notes app. Go to Notes > Preference. Change default account to iCloud

There may be chances that you don't see you iCloud account in Notes.

• So, for that Open Mail app.
• Go to mail > preference > account and activate the iCloud account.
• Now, go to Notes app, and you should see iCloud in folder pane in left side.

Wait, there are chances that you still don't see the iCloud in notes app. That's the issue.

• Then, you can try logging out of iCloud from iCloud in System Preferences.
• Go to Mail app.
• Now, try signing into it by providing your icloud email and password.
• As soon as you enter correct credetnials and is verified, you will get this pop up,

• Here you, make sure to check the checkbox Notes.
• Then, click proceed.
• Now restart Notes app.
• You will see iCloud in left pane where all folders are there.

Now, main part:

• You have to create a folder in iCloud in Notes, with the same name for notes folders that you have in On My Mac.
• Go the the Notes folder and in click on any note in second column. Then press Command+A for select all. and then, right click > Move to > iCloud > <same_folder_name>.
• Repeat, the same for all you local folders in Mac Notes.
• Done.

Answer 6

1. Create a separate note folder
2. Move your notes you want to export
3. Share that folder with another account via Mail (preferable) or via AirDrop
4. If via email - accept the share by following the link
5. Wait for some time and newly shared folder will appear on a new machine.