Joplin is free, open source, and encrypted by default, but its JEX format keeps it readable only by Joplin. Bear brings clean Markdown editing with flexible tags to iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Learn how to convert your Joplin notes to Bear in a few simple steps below.
Export your Joplin notes
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Open Joplin on your computer: Export is available in the Joplin desktop app.
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Export as Markdown: Go to File → Export all. Choose MD - Markdown (JEX is Joplin's own format and only Joplin can read it, so Markdown is the portable choice when moving out), pick a destination folder, and click Save. Each note comes out as its own .md file. On iPhone or iPad, compress the folder into a .zip file so Notes Convert can read it.
Convert your notes
With your notes exported, the conversion itself takes seconds. We'll use our app Notes Convert, the only notes conversion tool on the market, that runs entirely on your device. You can download Notes Convert here. It's free for 50 notes, and inexpensive for unlimited notes.
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Import into Notes Convert: Open Notes Convert and set the import format to Joplin. Click Open Folder… and select the folder you exported from Joplin, or click Open File… and select a .zip of that folder. Notes Convert reads them and keeps titles, text, and attachments.
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Choose Bear and convert: Pick Bear as the output format, click Convert, choose where to save your notes, and wait for the conversion.
Import into Bear
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Open Bear on your Mac: Import is easiest on macOS.
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Import your notes: If you exported your notes as Bear, go to File → Import Notes…, select the .enex file Notes Convert produced, and click Import notes. If you exported them as Bear (Markdown) instead, go to File → Import From… → Markdown Folder and select the folder with the .md files Notes Convert produced.
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Add tags: Once your notes are in, add Bear's #tags to organize them the way you like.
Done
Your Bear notes are ready to be used any way you want. Enjoy!
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