# Bring your notes into your account

> Move your Guest notes into an account so they sync, without copying or relocating any files.

Source: https://notate.md/docs/sync/bring-notes-into-account/

Category: Account & billing

Updated: 2026-08-16

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If you have been using Notate in [Guest mode](https://notate.md/docs/getting-started/guest-mode/) and then create or sign into an account, Notate offers to bring your existing notes in so they start syncing. This is a one-time step per set of notes.

## How it works

When you first sign in with Guest notes on the device, a **Migrate Your Current Notes** prompt appears. Choose to migrate and Notate:

- Attaches your existing notes, folders, and roots to your account
- Shows a progress bar while it works, so large collections are easy to follow
- Leaves every file exactly where it is on disk

Your notes are not copied into a new location or converted into a different format. The same `.md` files stay in the same folders; the account simply starts tracking them so they can sync.

## After migrating

Once migration finishes, your notes are part of your account. With the [Sync plan](https://notate.md/docs/getting-started/guest-mode/) on, they sync across your other devices and the web app and are covered by [end-to-end encryption](https://notate.md/docs/sync/account-security/). You can keep working exactly as before, and you can still open the files directly on disk in any other editor.

## Large collections

Migrating a large folder with thousands of notes is supported and runs in the background with a progress bar. If it is interrupted, it is safe to run again. Nothing is lost, because your files are always the source of truth.

## Prefer to keep them separate?

You do not have to migrate. Decline the prompt and your Guest notes stay in Guest mode, independent of the account. You can bring them in later from Settings whenever you are ready.