# Export Apple Notes to Markdown

Each note becomes a Markdown file, with its folders, tags and attachments, kept in sync.

[Download for Mac](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/exporter-notes-to-markdown/id6741618455?mt=12)

## Your note, and the Markdown it becomes.

The file Exporter writes for this note: front matter first, then the note.

`Poster, first pass.md`

```markdown
---
title: "Poster, first pass"
id: "8D2F5A41"
created: 2026-03-14T09:12:40
modified: 2026-05-02T18:31:05
source_url: "notes://showNote?identifier=8D2F5A41"
cover: "[[attachments/Blue render.jpg]]"
---
# Poster, first pass

- [x] Pick the blue render
- [ ] Try a second type size

| size | paper |
| --- | --- |
| A2 | matte 200g |
| A3 | satin |

#print #studio

![[attachments/Blue render.jpg]]
```

## What comes out

Every field is listed in [the Apple Notes docs](https://exporter.dev/docs/notes#the-file).

- Folders as folders: Your Apple Notes folders and subfolders, mirrored on disk.
- Tags stay tags: Your #tags stay in the text, where Obsidian reads them as tags. Or sort the export into one folder per tag.
- Smart folders: Tick smart folders on the smart tab and each one becomes a folder of its own on disk. The docs list the few whose search cannot be read.
- Attachments: Images, PDFs, scans and drawings, copied into an attachments folder beside the note and embedded where they were.
- Real dates: Created and modified times from Apple Notes, in the front matter.
- Deep links: Every file carries a `notes://` link that reopens the note in Apple Notes.
- Markdown or HTML: Markdown by default. "switch to html" on the Apple Notes card writes each note as [a web page](https://exporter.dev/docs/notes#markdown-and-html) instead, with its attachments in a folder next to it. One format at a time.

## How it works

1. Connect Apple Notes: Open Exporter and press connect on the Apple Notes card. A panel opens in the right folder: press Select this folder.
2. Pick a folder: Choose an export folder: any folder, or a folder of its own inside your Obsidian vault.
3. Sync: Press sync now. After that each edit in Apple Notes is written to its file, with the window open or closed.

How it works: [Apple Notes docs](https://exporter.dev/docs/notes) · Guides: [Apple Notes to Obsidian](https://exporter.dev/guides/notes/apple-notes-to-obsidian) · [Back up Apple Notes](https://exporter.dev/guides/notes/back-up-apple-notes) · [Apple Notes in Claude](https://exporter.dev/guides/notes/apple-notes-in-claude) · [Apple Notes in Wander](https://exporter.dev/guides/notes/apple-notes-in-wander)

## Questions

### Does it read the Apple Notes database directly?

Yes, read-only, so it cannot change your notes.

### Is anything uploaded?

No. Exporter reads your notes and writes the files on your Mac. No account, no server.

### Can I export straight into my Obsidian vault?

Yes, into a folder of its own inside the vault, so your own notes and Exporter's stay apart. Dates arrive as Obsidian date properties, and the export includes three bases. [Apple Notes to Obsidian, kept in sync](https://exporter.dev/guides/notes/apple-notes-to-obsidian).

### How is this different from Obsidian's free Importer?

Importer is free and copies Apple Notes into Obsidian once, which is enough if you are leaving Apple Notes. Exporter keeps the Markdown current while you keep using Apple Notes, in any folder, and serves it to your agent over MCP.

### What does it cost?

Your first 100 notes export and keep syncing free. Unlocking Apple Notes is a one-time purchase, [priced per country](https://exporter.dev/pricing).

## Against the alternatives

Apple's own export copies the notes you select: PDF on macOS 15, Markdown too on macOS 26.

| | Exporter | Obsidian Importer | Apple's own export |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole library in one go | Yes | Yes | Selected notes |
| Kept in sync after the first run | Yes | One-time | One-time |
| Any folder, not just an Obsidian vault | Yes | Obsidian only | Yes |
| Messages, Contacts, Screen Time too | Yes | No | No |
| Feeds your agent (MCP) | Yes | No | No |
| Price | First 100 notes free, then a one-time purchase | Free | Free |

## Give Claude your Apple Notes

Exporter runs a local MCP server, so Claude can search the notes you exported. [Set it up](https://exporter.dev/docs/mcp).

Connect Claude Code. Run this once, then ask Claude about your notes.

```sh
claude mcp add --transport http exporter http://localhost:8744/mcp
```

## Related

- [Apple Notes to Obsidian](https://exporter.dev/guides/notes/apple-notes-to-obsidian): A vault that follows Apple Notes
- [Apple Notes in Claude](https://exporter.dev/guides/notes/apple-notes-in-claude): Claude searches your notes, on your Mac
- [MCP server](https://exporter.dev/docs/mcp): Connect Claude and other agents

---

human version: https://exporter.dev/notes
every page: https://exporter.dev/llms.txt