When you’re moving a substantial collection of notes into Joplin, the safest approach is to let each stage complete fully before moving on. This keeps your data in a predictable state and avoids duplicated items, conflicts, or slow synchronisation later on. The process is simple, but the order matters.
Below is a step-by-step guide to help you import your notes smoothly across all your devices.
1. Start with the Desktop App
Begin on the desktop version of Joplin, as it offers the most robust import options and handles large batches of notes more efficiently.
- Open the desktop app.
- Import all your notes using the format of your choice (such as ENEX, OneNote, etc.).
- Allow the import process to finish completely.
- Avoid editing, creating, or organising notes while the import is running.
- Most importantly, do not attempt to sync during this phase.
Let the import run to completion, even if it takes a while. This ensures the full structure of your notebooks and resources is set up properly.
2. Configure Synchronisation
Once the import is fully finished and the app is stable again, you can set up synchronisation with your chosen service (such as Joplin Cloud, Joplin Server, WebDAV, or others).
After enabling sync:
- Let the synchronisation run without using the app for anything else.
- Be patient. If you have tens of thousands of notes or large resources, it may take a long time.
- If needed, leave your computer running overnight.
During this stage, avoid sharing notes or notebooks, and do not modify your data. Allow the first full upload to complete undisturbed.
3. Add Other Devices
When the desktop upload has finished and everything is safely stored on your sync target, you can start adding your other clients (mobile or desktop).
The key rule here is essential:
Do not re-import your data into any other device
Simply install Joplin and enable synchronisation. The client will download everything from the sync target.
Re-importing instead of syncing would cause duplicated notes, notebook conflicts, and a very slow sync process.
4. Optional: Adjust Attachment Download Mode on Mobile
Before you run the initial sync on your mobile device, consider adjusting the attachment download mode to make the first sync much faster.
Joplin allows you to choose how attachments are downloaded:
- Manual – Attachments are only downloaded when you tap on them.
- Auto – Attachments download automatically when a note is opened.
- Always – Everything is downloaded during sync (not recommended on first sync with large imports).
Setting the mode to Manual or Auto means your initial sync will only transfer the notes themselves. Large attachments will come in later as you need them, saving time and mobile storage during setup.
