Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

The safest way to switch note apps is to export your library from the current app before changing or deleting the source account, save the downloaded archive somewhere you control, inspect what it contains, and test-import a small sample into the destination. An export is not a universal format: the available route depends on your device and account type, and imports can lose tags, attachments, notebook structure, or other metadata.

Keep the original account available until representative notes, images, recordings, lists, and organizational data have been checked in the new app. The procedures below use the official capabilities documented for Google Keep, Notion, Evernote, OneNote, and Apple Notes on Mac.

What a reliable notes migration looks like

A backup and a migration are related but different. A backup gives you an independent copy that can be opened or retained even if the original account becomes inaccessible. A migration also requires a destination format that the new app can read and an import process that preserves enough of your content and organization.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Use this sequence for any note service:

  1. Inventory the source. Record the app, account type, device, notebooks or folders, and where attachments are stored.
  2. Export with the source app’s documented feature. Prefer a structured, editable format when the destination supports it; create a readable copy as well when that helps.
  3. Store the download outside the source app. Keep the archive and any companion folders on storage you control.
  4. Inspect the archive. Open it or browse its files and check that expected notes, attachments, filenames, and folders exist.
  5. Test-import a representative sample. Include plain text, lists, images, tags, recordings, and nested organization where applicable.
  6. Move the full library only after the sample passes. Compare important content and keep the source account until verification is complete.

This process catches the most common failure: an export that technically succeeds but does not preserve the parts of your notes that matter.

#1 Best Overall
Sandisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD, Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware, External Solid State Drive, SDSSDE61-2T00-G25
  • Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
  • Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
  • Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
  • Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
  • Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C

Inventory your account before exporting

Start by identifying exactly where the notes live. A personal account may expose a different export route from a work or school account. Cloud notebooks can also have restrictions that are not obvious from the app interface.

  • Account: personal, work, school, or an organization-managed login.
  • Device: web browser, Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android. Some export commands exist only in a desktop app or on the web.
  • Content: text, checklists, drawings, images, scanned documents, voice recordings, links, and attachments.
  • Organization: notebooks, folders, labels, tags, pinned or archived state, collaborators, and nested pages.
  • Storage: available local disk space and the location where you will keep the downloaded archive.

Make a short list of high-value notes and unusual content. Those notes should be in the test sample later; a migration that handles plain text but drops a recording or drawing is not complete.

Choose a format that the destination can use

Structured formats are generally better for switching apps because they can retain editable text and metadata. Markdown, ENEX, HTML, CSV, and application archives are useful only when the destination has a compatible importer.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Editable versus readable copies

Use Markdown, ENEX, HTML, or a native archive when you want to continue editing. A PDF is convenient for reference and printing, but the documented Apple Notes and other export instructions do not establish that PDF preserves an editable note structure. Treat a PDF as a readable record, not proof that a future app can reconstruct the original note.

What to compare between routes

  • Availability: Is the command present on your device and for your account type?
  • Format: Can the destination import the resulting files directly?
  • Content: Do attachments, images, recordings, lists, and drawings survive?
  • Metadata: Are tags, labels, dates, pinned or archived state, and collaborators retained?
  • Structure: Do notebooks, folders, and nested pages remain organized?
  • Limits: Are there batch-size, download-size, expiration, or cleanup requirements?

Google Keep: download an archive with Google Takeout

Google’s documented route is Google Takeout. Google Keep Help states: “You can export and download your data from Google Keep.” The download is an archive that can serve as a record or as a starting point for use in another service.

What the Keep export contains

The documented export can include note text and list items, voice recordings, drawings and images, note color, pinned and archived state, collaborators, and labels. These details make it more useful than copying visible text one note at a time, but you should still inspect the downloaded files because the archive is the evidence of what was actually included.

Important account restriction

Some data in work or school accounts may not be available for download. If the notes belong to an organization-managed account, confirm the account policy and examine the archive before assuming it is complete. Do not delete or close that account until the destination has been checked.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #2
SSK Portable SSD 500GB External Solid State Hard Drive USB C Up to 1050MB/s
  • Capacity Display Variance: 500GB external ssd often appears as around 465GB on Windows. MacOS can show full 500 GB capacity. This is binary calculation difference and doesn’t affect SSD hard drive actual physical storage
  • 1050 MB/s Speed: Instantly access to your files with blazing-fast 10Gbps external SSD read up to 1050MB/s and write up to 1000MB/s. LED Light indicates USB SSD instant activity
  • Data Security: Solid state drives S.M.A.R.T. health diagnostics​ and adaptive TRIM optimizing data block management ensures consistent write speeds and extends the longevity of the portable SSD
  • USB-C & USB-A Cable: Both cables featuring rapid USB 3.2 Gen2, this USB SSD effortlessly bridges devices, enabling seamless cross-platform file transfers and backup between computers, smartphones, tablets and iPhone
  • Always Fast: No slowdowns for large file transfers. With SLC caching (25% of current available capacity allocated as high-speed cache), this external SSD delivers steady 10Gbps for transfers within the cache capacity

Keep verification

  1. Request the Keep data through Google Takeout while signed in to the account that owns the notes.
  2. Download the archive to local storage you control.
  3. Open the archive and check text, lists, recordings, drawings, images, labels, and representative pinned or archived notes.
  4. Use a small set of those files for a destination import or manual reconstruction, then compare the result with the originals.

Notion: export a workspace and plan for scale

Notion can export a workspace as HTML, Markdown, or CSV for databases, along with uploaded files. It can import Markdown, HTML, CSV, ZIP, and Evernote content. Choose the format according to the destination: Markdown or HTML is suited to pages, while CSV is intended for database rows and properties.

Export-link and size limits

A Notion workspace export download link expires after seven days, so download the files promptly and make your own retained copy. Notion also warns that large workspace exports can have trouble. Its documented workaround is to export top-level pages in smaller batches, including their subpages, instead of requesting one very large workspace export.

Importing Evernote content into Notion

Notion’s Evernote importer maps notebooks to pages and notes to database items. Images may not render correctly and may require cleanup. Imports above approximately 5,000 notes may fail, according to Notion’s operational guidance. Treat that figure as an approximate threshold, not a guarantee: split a large library into smaller batches and verify each batch before continuing.

Notion verification checklist

  • Open several exported pages in the chosen format before importing the entire workspace.
  • Check that uploaded images and files are present and openable.
  • Compare database properties and rows when using CSV.
  • For an Evernote import, inspect image rendering, notebook-to-page mapping, and note-to-database-item mapping.
  • Record which batches have been imported so a retry does not create duplicates.

Evernote: use the Mac or Windows desktop app

Evernote’s export help states: “Exporting is only available using the Evernote desktop app.” The web interface is not the export route described by that documentation.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Available export formats and selection limits

In the Mac or Windows desktop app, export notes or notebooks as ENEX or HTML. You can select up to 100 notes at a time or export an entire notebook. For an individual export, some note attributes can be selected, allowing you to tailor what is included.

Exports are saved to the computer, so check local storage before starting a large operation. If the library is bigger than a convenient batch, export notebook by notebook or in groups of no more than 100 selected notes.

What an Evernote import does not preserve

Evernote documents that importing restores notes and available file attributes but does not preserve notebook structures. A successful ENEX import can therefore contain the right note content while leaving you to rebuild notebooks or other organization in the destination. Plan that reorganization instead of treating the import as a complete structural copy.

Rank #3
Sandisk 1TB Portable SSD, Up to 800MB/s Read Speeds, Black (Old Model) | External Solid State Drive, Compatible with Laptops & Tablets, Up to 2M Drop Protection, USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • Solid state performance with up to 800MB/s read speeds in a portable drive. (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
  • Back up your content and memories on a storage solution that fits seamlessly into your mobile lifestyle.
  • Take it with you on your adventures—up to two-meter drop protection means this durable drive can take a beating. (Based on internal testing.)
  • Secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind thanks to the tough rubber hook.
  • From Sandisk, a brand professional photographers trust to take on assignments.

Evernote migration steps

  1. Install or open the Evernote desktop app on Mac or Windows.
  2. Select up to 100 notes or choose a whole notebook.
  3. Choose ENEX when the destination supports it; choose HTML when a browser-readable copy is useful.
  4. Select the note attributes you need for an individual export.
  5. Save the file outside Evernote and open or inspect it.
  6. Import a sample into the destination and check attachments, tags or other attributes, and the loss of notebook hierarchy.

OneNote: download a personal OneDrive notebook as a ZIP

OneNote for the web can download a copy of a notebook as a ZIP file for backup or use with another account. Microsoft limits this export route to notebooks stored in personal OneDrive. It does not apply to work or school OneDrive notebooks or to notebooks in SharePoint.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Check eligibility before relying on the download

Confirm both the account type and the notebook location. If the notebook is organization-managed or stored in SharePoint, the documented web export may not be available. Do not infer that a visible notebook can be exported simply because the download command exists for personal notebooks.

Open and verify the ZIP

Microsoft describes opening the downloaded archive in OneNote for Windows and checking that sections and pages can be accessed. The download can require substantial hard-drive space, so make sure the destination volume has room for the ZIP and any unpacked copy.

  1. In OneNote for the web, open the eligible personal OneDrive notebook.
  2. Use the notebook download command to obtain the ZIP archive.
  3. Keep the original ZIP and make a working copy if you need to unpack or test it.
  4. Open the archive in OneNote for Windows as Microsoft describes.
  5. Navigate through several sections and pages, including pages with attachments, and confirm they open.

Microsoft’s page also describes import functionality that is deprecated. Do not plan a migration around a deprecated importer; use the downloaded copy as a backup and determine whether the destination can read the resulting notebook or whether manual reconstruction is required.

Apple Notes on Mac: export or import through the File menu

Apple Support states: “You can export notes as PDF or Markdown files.” This workflow is for Notes on Mac; do not assume that the same commands exist on iPhone or iPad.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Export formats

On Mac, an individual note can be exported as PDF or Markdown. Use Markdown when the destination can import it and you want editable text. Use PDF when a fixed visual record is the priority.

Import formats and folder handling

Apple Notes on Mac can import Markdown, TXT, RTF, RTFD, HTML, and ENEX. Folder imports can preserve folder structure. On macOS 13 or later, Apple Notes can import tags from ENEX, which is useful when moving from a source that stores tags in that format.

Rank #4
Sale
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB Titan Gray, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Up to 1,050MB/s | Reliable External Solid State Drive Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals (MU-PC1T0T/AM)
  • MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
  • SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
  • ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
  • ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
  • HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³

Apple Notes migration steps

  1. On the Mac, select a note or folder and use the File menu’s export or import command.
  2. For a source that supports ENEX, import a small ENEX sample first and check tags if the Mac is running macOS 13 or later.
  3. For Markdown, HTML, TXT, RTF, or RTFD files, import a representative folder and compare formatting and attachments.
  4. Confirm that folder hierarchy and tags appear as expected before importing the remainder.

Inspect the archive before importing everything

An export file is not self-validating. Open it with the application or file tools appropriate to its format and look for evidence that the expected data is present.

  • Count: Compare the approximate number of exported notes with your inventory.
  • Attachments: Open several images, recordings, drawings, and documents, not just the filenames.
  • Text and lists: Check long notes, checkboxes, special characters, and line breaks.
  • Metadata: Look for labels, tags, dates, pinned or archived state, and collaborator information where the source documents support them.
  • Structure: Confirm that folders, notebooks, sections, or subpages are represented in the archive.

Keep the original downloaded archive unchanged. If you need to convert files, work from a copy so the first export remains a recovery point.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Run a representative test import

Choose a sample that exposes conversion problems rather than a random handful of plain-text notes. Include at least one note with an image, one with a list or checklist, one with tags or labels, one with a long body, and one with nested organization. Add a voice recording, drawing, or document if your library relies on those features.

Compare the source and destination side by side. Check whether the note opens, whether attachments can be downloaded or played, whether formatting remains readable, and whether tags or folders landed where you expect. In Notion, pay special attention to image rendering and database mapping. In Evernote imports, check the expected loss of notebook structure. In Apple Notes, check ENEX tags on macOS 13 or later.

Record problems and adjust the route before scaling up. For example, you might choose Markdown instead of PDF for editable Apple Notes, split a Notion export into top-level page batches, or rebuild Evernote notebooks manually after importing ENEX.

Complete the migration without losing the source

  1. Freeze changes briefly. Avoid editing the source while exporting and testing, or note which changes happened afterward.
  2. Export the remaining notes in manageable groups. Follow the app’s documented batch or notebook limits.
  3. Import one group at a time. Verify each group and keep a simple list of completed batches.
  4. Rebuild organization deliberately. Recreate folders, notebooks, labels, or nested pages where the format does not carry them over.
  5. Check important records manually. Open irreplaceable notes and every attachment type you depend on.
  6. Retain the source and archives. Keep the old account and original exports until the new library is complete and accessible.

This cautious order is an operational safeguard based on the documented differences between export and import behavior; it is not a guarantee from any vendor that every attribute will transfer.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Common failure modes and fixes

The export command is missing

Check the device and account first. Evernote documents desktop-only export, OneNote’s web download excludes work or school and SharePoint notebooks, and Google Keep warns that some managed-account data may be unavailable. Sign in with the account that owns the data and try the documented platform rather than a different client.

Best Value
Sale
SANDISK 1TB Extreme Portable SSD, Up to 2000MB/s Transfer Speeds-New Model | External Solid State Drive, IP65 Water & Dust Resistant, Up to 3M Drop Protection, 256-bit AES Encryption, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
  • NEARLY 2X FASTER THAN OUR PREVIOUS GENERATION(8) – move 1,000 high-res photos in under 60 seconds(6) with up to 2000MB/s transfer speeds(2).
  • IP65 RATING AND UP TO 3M DROP PROTECTION(3) – protects against spills and drops.
  • POCKET-SIZED – fits easily in pockets and small bags.
  • SPACE TO OWN YOUR AI CONTENT – speed and capacity to download your high-res clips and photo edits.
  • 256-BIT AES ENCRYPTION(4) – helps keep private files secure with password protection.

The archive downloads but appears incomplete

Inspect its contents before importing. Compare note counts and attachment types with your inventory. For a managed Google account, missing data may be an account restriction rather than a corrupt download. For a large Notion workspace, export smaller top-level page batches.

Images or files are missing after import

Open the source archive to determine whether the files were exported. If they are present but display incorrectly in Notion, clean up the imported images or retry a smaller batch. If they are absent from the archive, revisit the source export settings instead of assuming the destination can recover them.

The notes arrived but the organization is wrong

Some formats preserve content without preserving hierarchy. Evernote explicitly says notebook structures are not retained by its import. Notion maps Evernote notebooks to pages and notes to database items, which is a different model. Recreate the desired folders or pages after confirming that note content is intact.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The import fails partway through

Reduce the batch size, isolate the failing files, and retry. Notion documents problems with large exports and imports above approximately 5,000 notes. Evernote’s 100-note selection limit also favors smaller groups. Keep a batch log so retries do not create duplicate content.

Store and protect the exported copies

Keep at least one copy outside the source app. A local computer, an external drive, or another storage location you control can hold the downloaded archive; the choice depends on the archive size and your security requirements. The cited documentation establishes that Evernote exports are saved to the computer and that OneNote ZIP downloads need sufficient hard-drive space, but it does not require a particular storage device, capacity, speed, or brand.

Protect archives that contain personal, financial, health, or work information. Use access controls and encryption appropriate to your environment, and avoid placing sensitive exports in an account that other people can access. Preserve the original archive and keep any companion asset folders together so a later import does not lose references.

A practical decision checklist

  • Have I identified the exact source app, device, account type, and notebook location?
  • Is the export command supported for that account and platform?
  • Does the chosen format remain editable in the destination?
  • Have I retained a readable copy where that is useful?
  • Did I inspect the archive, attachments, and folder or notebook representation?
  • Did I test notes with images, lists, tags, recordings, and nested structure?
  • Have I accounted for batch limits, expired download links, or approximate scale thresholds?
  • Are the original account and untouched exports still available?

When all of these checks pass, proceed with the full transfer. If one does not, resolve that specific limitation first rather than deleting the source and hoping the destination can reconstruct it.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a PDF as my only backup if I plan to change note apps?

A PDF is a useful readable record, but the documented export guidance does not establish that it preserves editable note structure. Keep a structured format such as Markdown, HTML, ENEX, CSV, or the app’s archive when the destination supports it.

Why should I test only a small sample first?

A sample reveals whether attachments, tags, images, recordings, and hierarchy survive before you commit the entire library. It also exposes destination-specific limits, such as Notion’s image cleanup issues or Evernote’s loss of notebook structure.

Is an export guaranteed to include notes from a work or school account?

No. Google Keep notes in managed accounts may have unavailable data, and OneNote’s documented web download excludes work or school OneDrive and SharePoint notebooks. Verify eligibility and inspect the resulting archive before relying on it.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.