Let's note that Apple has refused to offer any way to export your iCloud notes. Unlike Evernote, they would prefer that your notes stay trapped in their proprietary database.
To copy notes, open the Notes app at iCloud.com. Copy the text of each note and paste it into a document on your computer, such as a Pages or TextEdit document. Save the document to your computer. To export your notes as PDF, open the Notes app in OS X Mountain Lion or later. Select the note, then click File > Export as PDF and choose a location.
I use Notes. I also had the concern about the data being stored in its own database with no options for export as I want accessible backups. I came up with a somewhat roundabout solution that allows me to export the notes. I use an OS X program called iExplorer which allows access to data on an iPhone or iPad that is connected to the computer (or to an iTunes backup if you back up your devices to the Mac). When displaying the Notes data, the program provides the options to export either the current note or all notes to either pdf or text files, one file for each note. Yes, a little strange backing up the Notes on the Mac by accessing the synced notes on the connected iDevice, but it works like a charm.
Let's note that Apple has refused to offer any way to export your iCloud notes. Unlike Evernote, they would prefer that your notes stay trapped in their proprietary database.
Apple's job is to make it easy for people to join their ecosystem, not to leave it. And as an Apple user and a shareholder, I have no problem with that.
As a longtime Apple consumer and shareholder, I like to have options. History learns that open systems have better surviving changes and in the long run and Apple will benefit more from being a populair / open system than from locking users in. Besides that, Apple will have a hard time stopping others from finding ways to import their notes anyway.
I think the opposite will happen: Evernote now has more serious competition. It's a strong app but as pointed out by others, there are points of improvements, like the lack of hosting options for your data. Now the competition from Apple is on, the pressure on both to offer the best (hosting) options is increasing. Good for users that like options.
Let's note that Apple has refused to offer any way to export your iCloud notes. Unlike Evernote, they would prefer that your notes stay trapped in their proprietary database.
Apple's job is to make it easy for people to join their ecosystem, not to leave it. And as an Apple user and a shareholder, I have no problem with that.
Comments
Select the notes you want to import into Notes then export to a location of your choice.
It imported all the audio recordings I made against those notes as well.
Seriously impressive effort Apple.
I think the opposite will happen: Evernote now has more serious competition. It's a strong app but as pointed out by others, there are points of improvements, like the lack of hosting options for your data. Now the competition from Apple is on, the pressure on both to offer the best (hosting) options is increasing. Good for users that like options.