OneDrive File Issues

How to Access Samsung Notes on a Non-Samsung Android Tablet

Maira Mehtab Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to open and view Samsung Notes that have been synchronized with Microsoft OneNote on a non-Samsung Android tablet.

How to Access Samsung Notes on a Non-Samsung Android Tablet

Product: Samsung Notes, Microsoft OneNote, OneDrive
Device & OS: Android, Windows
Scenario: Accessing synced Samsung Notes across different device ecosystems.
Observed behavior: Samsung Notes are natively restricted to Samsung devices, requiring a workaround via Microsoft OneNote and OneDrive to view them on other Android tablets.

Before you start

Ensure that you have successfully synchronized your Samsung Notes with Microsoft OneNote on your Samsung phone and have your Microsoft account credentials ready.

Solution 1Recommended

Move OneNote Notebook to OneDrive and Access on Tablet

Ensure your synchronized Samsung Notes notebook is properly saved to OneDrive so it can be opened and viewed on any non-Samsung Android device via the OneNote app.

While you cannot install the official Samsung Notes app on most non-Samsung devices, you can view your notes using Microsoft's ecosystem. Samsung Notes can be synced directly to Microsoft OneNote. Once synced, you must ensure that your OneNote notebook is stored on OneDrive to access it seamlessly across all your devices.

Open OneNote on a Windows PC

Launch OneNote (2010, 2013, or 2016 version) on your Windows computer where your Samsung Notes are synced.

Share Notebook to OneDrive

Navigate to 'File' > 'Share' in the top menu. Select an existing location or click 'Add a Place'.

Move the Notebook

Sign in to your OneDrive account if prompted, select the desired destination folder, enter a name for the notebook, and click 'Move Notebook'.

Access on Non-Samsung Tablet

Download the Microsoft OneNote app on your non-Samsung Android tablet. Sign in using the same Microsoft account you used for OneDrive and open the newly moved notebook to view your synced Samsung Notes.

Move OneNote Notebook to OneDrive and Access on Tablet

OneNote for Windows 10 Users: If you are using the 'OneNote for Windows 10' app, your notebooks are automatically stored on OneDrive by default, so you can skip the manual moving steps and simply log in to the OneNote app on your Android tablet.

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Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office

While accessing Samsung Notes on non-Samsung devices requires workarounds through Microsoft OneNote and OneDrive, WPS Office provides a seamless, all-in-one alternative for creating, syncing, and managing your documents across all your devices.

1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free from the Google Play Store on your Android tablet.
2. Sign In to Enable Cloud Sync: Log in to a WPS account to automatically sync your documents across your phone, tablet, and computer.
3. Create and Manage Files: Use the Document or Memo features to jot down notes and manage files without worrying about device-specific restrictions.

Free, lightweight, and fast alternative to standard Microsoft Office apps.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Provides built-in cross-platform cloud synchronization for your documents and notes.User-friendly interface available on Android, Windows, Mac, and iOS.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install the Samsung Notes app directly on a non-Samsung Android tablet?

Officially, Samsung Notes is exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices. While some users attempt to sideload the application using an APK file, it often crashes or fails to sync properly on non-Samsung tablets. Using the OneNote integration is the most reliable workaround.

Why aren't my synced Samsung Notes showing up in OneNote immediately?

Synchronization can take a few minutes depending on your internet connection. Ensure that 'Sync to Microsoft OneNote' is toggled on in your Samsung Notes app settings on your phone and that both applications are linked to the exact same Microsoft account.

Can I edit my Samsung Notes directly from the OneNote app on my tablet?

Samsung Notes synced to OneNote typically appear as images or read-only attachments within the OneNote feed rather than fully editable text. To perform full text editing on the synchronized content, you generally need to copy the text into a standard OneNote page.

Are my notes backed up if I only use OneDrive?

Yes, once your OneNote notebooks are moved to OneDrive, they are safely backed up in Microsoft's cloud storage. This ensures your data is protected against loss if you change, damage, or lose your primary device.