Switching from an Android device like Samsung to an iPhone is a big transition, especially when it comes to transferring data. One of the most important apps for many Samsung users is Samsung Notes—a hub for everything from to-do lists to meeting summaries. iPhone doesn’t natively support this app, so transferring this information can feel tricky. But don’t worry, there are several methods you can use to move your Samsung Notes safely to your new iPhone.
TLDR: Moving your Samsung Notes to an iPhone requires a few extra steps since Apple’s Notes app doesn’t directly support Samsung Notes format. You can use Samsung Cloud with Smart Switch, sync notes to Microsoft OneNote, or convert them into a transferable format like PDF. Each method has its pros and cons, depending on what level of interactivity you want once you’ve moved your notes.
Why Transferring Samsung Notes Isn’t Straightforward
The challenge lies in the difference between Android and iOS ecosystems. Samsung Notes is a proprietary app deeply integrated with the Samsung ecosystem. Apple’s iPhone, on the other hand, uses the Apple Notes app, which isn’t designed to read the Samsung Note format. There’s no direct “migrate all notes” button that connects the two platforms seamlessly.
Users often wonder if Smart Switch—the official Samsung app for data migration—can help. Unfortunately, Smart Switch only works between Samsung and other Android devices, or with limited functionality when backing up to a computer. This means you’ll need to think outside the box when it comes to transferring notes.
[h2]Methods to Transfer Samsung Notes to iPhone
1. Sync Samsung Notes to Microsoft OneNote
This method allows you to access your notes across both ecosystems by bypassing their native apps altogether. Microsoft OneNote is available on Android, iOS, and web platforms, making it a great intermediary.
Steps:
- On your Samsung device, open the Samsung Notes app.
- Go to Settings > Sync with Microsoft OneNote. Sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted.
- Select the specific folders or note categories you’d like to sync.
- Wait for the sync to complete. It may take a few minutes depending on the number of notes.
- Download and log in to the Microsoft OneNote app on your iPhone using the same Microsoft account.
- All synced notes should now appear in the OneNote app on your new device.
Pros: Easy and fast sync, maintains most formatting.
Cons: Samsung handwriting notes may not sync as editable text, may only display as images.
2. Export Notes as PDF and Transfer
This is a more manual method, but it gives you control over each note and ensures that nothing is left behind. It’s ideal for important notes you don’t want altered in format.
Steps:
- Open Samsung Notes and select the note you want to export.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and choose Save as file or Export as PDF.
- Save the file to internal storage or a cloud service like Google Drive or OneDrive.
- On your iPhone, access the same cloud account and download the exported PDF.
- You can use iOS’s built-in Files or Books app to organize and view the notes.
Pros: Preserves layout and drawings as they are.
Cons: Not editable as native notes, can be time-consuming.
3. Use Email or Cloud Apps
If you have just a few notes that you need transferred quickly, emailing them to yourself or uploading them to a cloud drive can be efficient.
Steps:
- Open the Samsung Notes app and select the desired note.
- Use the share icon and choose either email or a cloud storage service like Google Drive.
- Send the note to an email you can access on your iPhone or upload it to a cloud account.
- Open the email or cloud app on your iPhone and download the notes.
Pros: Simple, no additional apps required.
Cons: Can become tedious if exporting multiple notes one by one.
4. Google Keep as a Bridge
Though it requires an extra copy-step, Google Keep can work as a bridge between the two systems.
Steps:
- Copy text from your Samsung Note and paste it into the Google Keep app.
- Ensure the Keep app is backed up and synced.
- Install Google Keep on your iPhone and log into the same Google account.
- Access your synced notes directly in Google Keep on iOS.
Pros: Good for quickly accessible text notes.
Cons: Doesn’t support rich formatting or drawings.
What to Consider After Transferring
Once your notes are available on your iPhone, it’s important to determine what level of editing or organization you want. If you’ve used PDF or email transfer methods, your content will likely be view-only, unless you convert them using third-party apps. If you used Microsoft OneNote or Google Keep, you can continue editing.
You should also decide whether to use Apple Notes going forward or stick with apps like OneNote or Keep that are cross-platform. Apple Notes offers deep iOS integration, but may not be the ideal solution if you frequently switch between devices or platforms.
Final Thoughts
Although there isn’t a direct tool to transfer Samsung Notes to iPhone, several effective workarounds exist. Whether you prefer to sync with Microsoft OneNote, manually export PDFs, or use cloud and email services, each method has its own strengths. The right option depends on how many notes you’re transferring and how you want them to function on your new device.
FAQ
- Can I directly import Samsung Notes into Apple Notes?
No, the two apps use different formats and don’t support direct imports. - Does Smart Switch transfer Samsung Notes to iPhone?
Not directly. It may back up some data, but does not carry over Samsung Notes to iOS. - Are handwritten notes supported on Microsoft OneNote?
Handwriting may appear as images, but not as editable ink notes unless converted manually. - Is there a Samsung Notes app for iPhone?
No, Samsung Notes is exclusive to Samsung devices and some Android platforms. - What’s the best method for transferring a large number of notes?
Using Microsoft OneNote or exporting as PDFs in bulk is generally more efficient for large volumes.
