The transition from the Android operating system installed on Xiaomi smartphones to iOS in Apple devices often causes users to fear about the loss of important information. However, the process of data migration has become much easier thanks to official tools developed by Apple engineers. The key step is to properly prepare both devices before synchronizing, which ensures the safety of your contacts, message history and media library.
There are several proven methods to perform the transfer without using third-party paid software. The main and most reliable way is the “Move to iOS” app, which is available in the Google Play Market. It is important to understand that to successfully complete the procedure, you will need a stable Wi-Fi connection and sufficient battery level on both devices.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you quickly master the new iPhone, while saving all the usual settings and files. We will also look at the typical errors that occur during data transfer and how to quickly fix them so that you can enjoy the new device without undue stress.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start the immediate copying process, you need to perform a number of preparatory manipulations: make sure that your Xiaomi has Wi-Fi enabled, as the application creates a local network for transferring files, and also check the availability of free space on the receiving iPhone – it must exceed the amount of data transferred.
Special attention should be paid to software updates. On an Android smartphone, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and check for updates. On an iPhone, if it was already in use, you will need a full factory reset, since the application only works at the initial activation stage.
⚠️ Note: If your iPhone is already configured and you are using it, the data transfer function through the standard application will not be available without a complete reset.
Charge both devices to a minimum of 50% or connect them to power supplies. The process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the volume of your gallery and the number of applications installed. Unstable power can lead to a session interruption and the need to start over.
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Before migrating, turn off mobile internet on Xiaomi, leaving only Wi-Fi active, and this will prevent possible conflicts of network protocols during the creation of a local tunnel.
Use of the Move app to iOS
Apple’s official app, “Move to iOS,” is the standard for migration. Download it from Google Play to your Xiaomi. On your iPhone, as you initially set up, select “Move to Android.” If the activation screen is already passed, the iPhone app won’t start.
Once the program is running on both devices, a six-digit or ten-digit code will appear on the iPhone screen, which must be entered into the appropriate field on the Xiaomi smartphone, and after entering the code, the devices will try to connect to create a secure local Wi-Fi network.
Xiaomi will be asked to connect to the network created by the iPhone. Click "Connect" and wait for the "Data Transfer" screen to appear, and you can choose which categories of information to copy.
- 📞 Contacts – the phone book and related data are transferred.
- 📸 Photo and Video - the entire media library from the gallery.
- 💬 Messages - history SMS and MMS (It does not work for all types of messages).
- ⚙️ Settings – basic system parameters and free applications available.
After selecting categories, click Continue. Do not touch devices or switch to other applications, even if the Android system reports poor connection quality.
☑️ Checklist before launch Move to iOS
Connection and transmission solution
Often, users are faced with a situation where the process is suspended during the “Time Assessment” or “Data Transfer” stage. This can be caused by background processes on Xiaomi, which are trying to optimize power consumption and “kill” the Move to iOS app.
To do this, go to Xiaomi Settings → Battery and Performance → App Management. Find “Move to iOS” and select “No Limits” mode. Also disable any traffic saving features or antivirus scanners that may block a local connection.
⚠️ Warning: If the transfer has stopped and does not resume for more than 15 minutes, do not immediately try to reboot the devices.Try just turn off Wi-Fi on Xiaomi and turn it on again without closing the application.
Another common problem is the incompatibility of OS versions. Make sure that the iPhone is not too old iOS, and Android is the current version of Google Play Services. Sometimes it helps to clear the app cache before re-starting.
What to do if the code is not accepted?
Multimedia Transfer and Alternative Methods
If the standard method didn't work, or if you want to transfer data to an already configured iPhone without resetting, you can use cloud services. Google Photos is a great way to save your media library. Install the app on your iPhone, log in to the same Google account, and all your photos will appear in the gallery.
To move contacts, sync through a Google account is the most effective. On iPhone, go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts, add your Google account, and turn on the Contacts Toggle. In a few minutes, the phone book will be fully available.
You can use a computer to transfer large files like 4K video. Connect Xiaomi to a PC, copy files, then connect your iPhone, and use iTunes (or Finder on macOS) to sync. This is a longer but more reliable way for gigabytes of data.
| Method | Speed. | Conditions required | It's best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move to iOS | Tall. | iPhone reset | Complete system transfer |
| Google Photo | Depends on the network. | Internet | Photos and videos |
| iCloud (Windows) | Medium | PC + Internet | Contacts and calendars |
| PC/Mac (Cable) | Very high. | USB-cable | Huge video files. |
Working with messages and messengers
Transferring your WhatsApp history from WhatsApp is critical for many users. Fortunately, WhatsApp chat portability is built into the Move to iOS app. When choosing data to copy, make sure that the tick opposite WhatsApp is active.
The process requires you to install WhatsApp on your iPhone (if it hasn’t already been installed) and log in to the same phone number.The app will create a special backup file on Android that will be transferred and unpacked on iOS. Once the transfer is complete, log in to WhatsApp on your iPhone and chats will appear automatically.
For other instant messengers like Telegram or Viber, the situation is different. Telegram stores all history in the cloud, so just log in to your account is enough. Viber requires you to create a local backup on Google Drive (on Android) and then restore from Google Drive to your iPhone, which can sometimes be problematic due to differences in file systems.
⚠️ Note: Secret chats on Telegram and some secure conversations in other apps are not portable for security reasons.
Adaptation after the transition: Android vs iOS
Once you successfully migrate, you will encounter a new logic for how the system works. Unlike MIUI, where file management is more open, iOS uses a file system with limited access. Use the Files app to manage files, which supports cloud drives.
Apps are installed via the App Store, and many paid apps purchased on Android will have to be re-purchased because the Google Play and App Store ecosystems are not financially connected, but in-app subscriptions (such as Yandex.Plus or Spotify) will be saved when you sign in.
The notifications and widgets are also different in iOS, with widgets on a separate Today screen or directly on the desktop, but their interaction is more limited than Android. It is recommended to spend time setting up Control Point by adding the necessary switches.
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The main difficulty of the transition is not the transfer of files, but getting used to the closure of the iOS file system and the absence of the Back button in the usual form (used swipe on the left).