memlow

Save and restore a backup file

On Android and on the webUpdated

A Memlow backup file holds all your notes, photos and voice notes in one file, named like memlow-backup-2026-10-24.memlow. It's protected with a password unless you turn that off. Keep it somewhere safe, away from the device, and you can restore it on any Android phone or in Memlow on the web, with no internet needed.

A file made by the Android app restores in the web app, and the other way round.

Save a backup file

On Android

  1. Open Settings. Under Backup and data, tap Create backup file.
  2. Leave Protect with a password on. If you use Google Drive backup, choose Use my backup password, or Choose a new password and type it twice (at least 8 characters).
  3. Tap Save backup file.
  4. Choose where to save it, such as Downloads or Google Drive, and tap Save.
  5. Memlow says "Backup file saved".
Create backup file on Android: Protect with a password on, Use my backup password chosen, and Save backup file

On the web

  1. Open Settings, then Backup and data.
  2. Beside Backup file, choose Download.
  3. Leave Protect with a password on, and choose Use my backup password or a new password.
  4. Choose Save backup file. Your browser downloads the file, and Memlow says how many notes it holds.

Warning

A file without a password can be read by anyone who gets it, locked notes included. Turn the password off only for a file that never leaves your hands. If you have locked notes, Memlow asks for your PIN first (Enter your PIN to include locked notes), on Android and on the web, unless you entered it since Memlow opened.

What's in it

  • Every note, Trash included, with its checklists, tags, links and reminders.
  • Photos and voice notes.
  • Your folders and your saved templates.
  • A few settings, such as the theme, text size and language. They're used only when you restore with Replace.

Not in it: notes in shared notebooks (they come back from the notebook when you sign in), your PIN and app lock, and your Google Drive link.

Where to keep it

Somewhere that isn't the phone or computer it came from: a USB stick, your computer, your own cloud storage, or an email to yourself. With a password, the file is encrypted, so it's safe to store anywhere. Without the password, though, it can't be opened, so keep the password somewhere safe too.

A file is a snapshot: it has what you had when you made it. Make a new one now and then, or turn on Google Drive backup, which keeps itself up to date.

Restore a backup file

On Android

  1. Open Settings, then Restore from a backup. On a new install, tap Restore from a backup on Memlow's first screen.
  2. Under Where is your backup?, choose Backup file, and pick the file.
  3. Enter the file's password if Memlow asks.
  4. Memlow shows what's in it: notes, folders, photos and recordings, and reminders.
  5. Choose Merge or Replace, then Restore.

On the web

  1. Open Settings, then Backup and data.
  2. Beside Restore from a backup file, choose Choose file, and pick the file.
  3. Enter the file's password if Memlow asks.
  4. Memlow shows what's in it. Choose Merge or Replace.
Restoring on the web: Backup from Pixel 8, with its counts of notes, folders, photos and reminders, and the Merge and Replace buttons

Merge or Replace

ChoiceWhat happens
MergeNotes from the backup are added. If a note is in both, the newer copy is kept. Nothing else is removed.
ReplaceThe notes here are replaced by everything in the backup. Notes that aren't in the backup are deleted.

Choose Merge unless you want the device to match the backup exactly. Replace asks once more before it goes ahead. On Android, Memlow keeps a safety copy of the phone's notes first; on the web, each replaced note stays in its Version history.

If the file won't open

Memlow saysWhat it means
"That password doesn't match this backup."Try the password you used for this file. For a file made with your backup password, that's the one for Google Drive.
"This isn't a Memlow backup file."Pick the .memlow file itself, not an export or a ZIP. Older files ending in .inknest restore too.
"This backup was made with a newer Memlow."Update the app (Android) or reload Memlow (web), then try again.
"This backup is damaged and can't be restored."The file was cut short or changed. Use another copy.

On Android, if there isn't enough free space to restore safely, Memlow stops and changes nothing.

Questions and answers

How do I save a backup file?

On Android, Settings, then Create backup file. On the web, Settings, Backup and data, then Download beside Backup file. Leave the password on and save it.

Where should I keep it?

Away from the device it came from: a computer, a USB stick, your own cloud storage or an email to yourself. With a password it's encrypted.

How do I restore it?

On Android, Settings, then Restore from a backup, then Backup file. On the web, Settings, Backup and data, then Choose file beside Restore from a backup file. Enter the password and choose Merge or Replace.

Can I open a phone's backup file on the web?

Yes. Both apps use the same .memlow file, so a file from either restores in the other.