Changing the operating system from iOS to Android has always seemed to users a complex and risky process, full of loss of important data and long settings. However, modern Xiaomi smartphones running on the shell of MIUI or HyperOS offer incredibly flexible tools for migration that minimize risks. You no longer need to manually rewrite numbers or search for each file in the gallery, as process automation has reached a level where the transition takes minutes.
In this detailed guide, we’ll take a look at all the tools available to move information, from the Mi Mover app to cloud syncs through Google and iCloud. You’ll learn how to keep your folder structure, message history, and even your desktop icons so that your new gadget becomes an extension of your old device, not someone else’s.
Before you start, make sure that both devices are at least 60 percent charged and connected to a stable Wi-Fi network, as large amounts of media can consume significant traffic. We will look at both wired and wireless solutions, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of data transferred and the technical literacy of the user.
Preparation of devices and backup
The first and critical step is to prepare the original iPhone device, and many users neglect this step, relying on a miracle, but it is the pre-check that prevents situations when, after transfer, half of the contacts are not synced. Go to the iCloud settings and make sure that the switches opposite the contacts, calendar and notes are active and blue.
On the Xiaomi side, you also need to do some pre-work. Android requires a Google account to function properly for most services, so make sure you remember the password from your Gmail. If you just unpacked the phone, the initial setup wizard will suggest you enter the data, but it’s better to do it in advance through the Settings → Accounts and Sync menu.
⚠️ Note: Before migrating, we strongly advise you to make a local backup of your iPhone on your computer via iTunes or Finder.This is your insurance in case you experience a connection failure or software error during the wireless transfer.
Check the space on your new smartphone. High-resolution photos and 4K video take up gigabytes of space, and if Xiaomi's memory is filled with system files or pre-installed software, the process may be interrupted. Free at least 10-15% of the total storage capacity for the comfortable operation of copy algorithms.
Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration
The most efficient and native way to transition is to use a special application Mi Mover, which is designed specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem, which allows you to transfer data directly over the Wi-Fi channel, creating a local network between devices, which provides high speed and does not require an Internet connection, which is ideal for those who want to transfer maximum information without unnecessary movements.
The process starts with installing the app on your iPhone through the App Store, if it’s available, or using a built-in feature on Xiaomi. On the new device, launch Mi Mover and select the “I’m the recipient” option, then scan. QR-code that appears on the iPhone screen, where you select "I'm the sender" mode, and the system itself will suggest connecting the devices to the same network or create an access point.
☑️ Preparing for migration through Mi Mover
Once connected, the device interfaces are synchronized, and you'll see a list of data categories that are available for transfer. You can select only contacts and messages, or you can copy the entire multimedia library. The Mi Mover algorithm automatically converts some file formats to correctly display them in the Android environment.
It is important not to lock the screens of smartphones during the process and keep them at a distance of no more than 1-2 meters from each other. Any interference with the work of other applications can break the connection, and the procedure will have to start again, which is especially critical when transferring tens of gigabytes of data.
Sync with Google Account and iCloud
If wireless transmission is impossible or causes errors, the classic cloud synchronization comes to the rescue, which requires a stable Internet, but it is reliable and allows you to break the process into stages, contacts, calendars and notes are easiest to transfer through cloud services, because they do not take up much space and synchronize instantly.
To start with, you need to download the Google Drive or Google Contacts app from the App Store on your iPhone, and then you go to the app settings and enable your contacts and calendar to sync with your Google account, and then all the entries from the Apple phone book will be uploaded to the search giant's cloud.
On a Xiaomi smartphone, just add the same Google account in the settings section. The system automatically pulls up all the stored data, and it will appear in the standard phone book. With photos, the situation is similar: the Google Photos app on the iPhone will upload photos to the cloud, and on Xiaomi they will instantly be available in the gallery.
| Type of data | Transmission method | Speed. | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google Account | Instantly. | Tall. |
| Photo/Video | Google Photos / Mi Mover | Depends on the Internet. | Medium |
| Messages (SMS) | Mi Mover | Quickly. | Tall. |
| Annexes | Google Play (analogues) | Middle-Average | Low (manual installation required) |
It is worth noting that iMessage and WhatsApp messages are not always correctly transferred through the Google cloud due to differences in encryption and database architecture. For instant messengers, it is better to use built-in backup functions inside the applications themselves if they support cross-platform portability.
Transfer of multimedia: photos, videos and music
Media files usually make up the lion's share of space, and they require special attention. Unlike contacts that weigh kilobytes, photos and videos can take tens of gigabytes. Using Mi Mover or cable (via the Lightning-USB adapter) is fast, but if you use cloud storage, it can take several hours.
An alternative and very convenient way is to use the application "Downloads" (Mi Drop) or third-party file managers that support the protocol. FTP. You can turn it on. FTP-server on Xiaomi and through the browser on the iPhone to access the Android file system by downloading files directly. This method is good because it does not require the installation of additional software on the iPhone, except for the browser.
⚠️ Attention: Video formats HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container, popular on iPhones, may not open in some older Android galleries without converting.When transferred via Mi Mover, the conversion often happens automatically, but when manually copied via PC, a third-party player may be required.
Music and other audio files are easiest to transfer through your computer by connecting both devices via USB. Simply copy the music folder from your iPhone (if the files are not protected by DRM) and paste it into the Music folder on Xiaomi's internal drive. Once rebooted, the media player will automatically scan the memory and add tracks to the library.
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Use the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter cable to connect your iPhone directly to Xiaomi, allowing you to stream photos and videos through the standard Android file manager without loss of quality and compression.
Working with applications and messages
The hardest part of migration is apps. Because the iOS and Android ecosystems use different executable file formats (.ipa vs.apk), you can't install apps directly from the iPhone on Xiaomi. You'll have to download them from the Google Play Store again. Fortunately, most popular services have versions for both platforms.
Keeping progress in games and data in apps depends on the developer. If the game supports login via Facebook, Google Play Games or your own account, just log in to the new device and your progress will recover. However, some in-app purchases (donat) may not carry over, as they are tied to Apple ID.
Concerning communications SMS, Mi Mover does wonders here, even carrying attachments. The message in iMessage is more complicated: they are tied to iCloud and have no analogue on Android. SIM-Make sure to untie the number from iMessage via the Apple website, otherwise you may stop receiving SMS-Bank codes for your new phone.
What to do with paid applications?
Problem Solving and Configuring After Transfer
Once the migration is complete, it may turn out that some contacts have been duplicated or the photo report in the gallery looks incorrect. This is normal for the first run. Go to the contacts and use the "Joint duplicates" feature, which is built into the MIUI shell. The gallery may take time to index new files.
Also worth checking is the notification settings. On iOS, the system is more aggressive in controlling background processes, so on Android, apps may behave differently. Go to the battery settings and allow auto-runs for important messengers to keep messages from missing.
Don’t forget to set up biometrics and payment services. Google Pay (or its equivalents) will require re-assignment of cards, since security tokens are not transferred between devices for security reasons.
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The main result: Successful transition from iPhone to Xiaomi depends not on the complexity of the process, but on the proper preparation of iCloud and the use of a specialized tool Mi Mover for the bulk of data.