Apple Notes Export: How to Export Notes From Mac to Markdown, Obsidian, or Notion

If you've ever searched for "apple notes export" or "how to export notes from Mac," you've probably discovered the same frustrating reality: Apple Notes makes it easy to create notes, but surprisingly difficult to leave.

Whether you're moving to Obsidian, Notion, or simply want a portable Markdown archive, exporting a large Apple Notes library can quickly become messy. Attachments get separated from notes, folder structures disappear, and note metadata is often lost.

That's exactly why we built Carry.

Why Apple Notes Export Is Hard

Unlike many note-taking apps, Apple Notes doesn't provide a simple "Export All" button. Users looking for a "mac notes export all" solution often end up exporting notes one at a time or using tools that create disorganized file dumps.

The challenge goes beyond exporting text:

Creation and modification dates matter.

Attachments need to stay connected to their notes.

Folder structures should remain intact.

Internal note links shouldn't break.

Thousands of notes need to be processed reliably.

For people with years of accumulated notes, a basic export isn't enough.

Where Are Apple Notes Stored?

One of the most common questions is: "Where are Apple Notes stored?"

Technically, Apple Notes stores data inside Apple's proprietary database system on macOS. While advanced users can locate parts of the Notes data structure, the content itself isn't stored in a clean, human-readable format.

That's why simply finding the Apple Notes location on your Mac doesn't solve the export problem. You still need software that can reconstruct your notes, attachments, metadata, and organization.

How to Export Notes From Mac Using Carry

Carry is designed specifically for people who want to move their notes without losing years of work.

Step 1: Choose Your Destination

Select where you want your notes to go:

Obsidian

Notion

Plain Markdown

Other Markdown-compatible tools

Step 2: Scan Your Apple Notes Library

Carry reads your notes and generates a summary showing:

Number of notes

Folder structure

Attachments

Locked notes

Estimated migration time

Step 3: Review and Enhance

Carry can optionally:

Generate titles for untitled notes

Suggest and organize tags

Detect duplicates

Preserve metadata

Step 4: Export

Instead of creating a giant folder of disconnected files, Carry exports your library in a clean, organized structure.

Every note keeps:

Original dates

Folder hierarchy

Attachments

References

Metadata

Apple Notes to Notion

Moving from Apple Notes to Notion is a common workflow, but most migration methods require manual cleanup afterward.

Carry simplifies the Apple Notes to Notion process by generating a destination-ready export that preserves structure and makes importing significantly easier.

Instead of spending hours reorganizing pages after import, you start with a cleaner workspace from day one.

Why Traditional Export Tools Fall Short

Many tools focus on one thing: getting your notes out.

But exporting isn't the same as migrating.

A successful migration should preserve:

Context

Organization

Attachments

Searchability

Long-term portability

That's the difference between a raw export and a usable knowledge base.

The Better Way to Export Notes

If you're researching Apple Notes export options, chances are you're not trying to create another backup—you want freedom to move your notes wherever you choose.

Carry was built around a simple idea:

Carry your notes anywhere from anywhere.

Whether you're moving to Obsidian, Notion, or a Markdown-based workflow, Carry helps you export your notes cleanly, intelligently, and without losing the details that matter.

Your notes belong to you. Carry helps you take them with you.