Changing the ecosystem is always stressful for the user, as the usual structure of file storage and contacts has been built over the years. The transition from iOS to the Android platform, in particular to Xiaomi smartphones, requires a clear understanding of the migration processes so as not to lose any important frame or phone number.
You don’t need to be an IT expert to successfully complete the synchronization process, as manufacturers have provided several convenient tools, the main focus is to prepare both devices: charge your iPhone and the new Xiaomi to the maximum, and make sure you have a stable connection to the Wi-Fi network. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways, from built-in utilities to cloud services.
Many users fear that if they change platforms, they will lose their correspondence history or calendar settings. But a smart copying approach allows them to keep data integrity and continue working on the new device from almost the same place as the old one.
Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission
The most efficient and quickest way is to use the official tool from the manufacturer – Mi Mover. This application is specially designed for data migration between different Android devices, and also supports work with iOS. To get started, you need to download the corresponding version of the program on both smartphones from their official app stores.
The process starts with running a program on a Xiaomi device, where you select the Recipient role, and the iPhone selects the Sender status, and then the devices are prompted to connect, usually through scanning. QR-code by the camera of the new smartphone or by manually connecting to a temporary Wi-Fi network created by Mi Mover.
⚠️ Warning: During the transfer of large amounts of data, do not lock the iPhone screen and keep applications open. iOS can force the background process to be completed if it believes that the application is not actively used, which will lead to a connection error.
Once you've established the connection, the system will suggest you choose the file types to copy, you can move contacts, messages, photos, videos, and even some system settings, and the speed of the transfer depends on the quality of the wireless connection and the amount of information, so for gigabytes of photos, it's best to use this method near the router.
- 📱 Make sure that both devices have Bluetooth module enabled for the initial handshake.
- 🔋 Connect your smartphones to a power source, as the process can significantly consume battery power.
- 📶 Do not switch to other applications during the active file copying phase.
💡
If the transfer is 99% interrupted, don't panic. Often it means that the latest system metadata is copied, wait until it's finished, or try restarting the process by selecting only the remaining file categories.
Sync through Google and iCloud account
An alternative and often more reliable method is to use cloud storage. Since the Android ecosystem is tied to a Google account, the first step on a new Xiaomi device is to log in to your profile. On an iPhone, you need to install the Google Drive or Google Contacts app in advance and start the backup function.
In the Google app settings on iOS, select Backup and activate the synchronization of contacts and calendar. Photos and videos can be downloaded through Google Photos by enabling autoload in the app settings. This is a good way to make your data independent of a particular physical device.
Once you have finished downloading to your iPhone, log in to the same Xiaomi account.The system will automatically prompt you to recover data from the cloud.Contacts and calendar events will appear in the relevant apps almost instantly, and photos will start to download as needed or in the background.
It's important to understand the difference between on-premises and cloud. When using cloud-based methods, the speed depends on the ISP's data plan and the amount of free storage available in Google, and if you run out of 15GB, you'll have to interrupt or pay for the extra space.
☑️ Preparation of cloud synchronization
Comparison of data migration methods
The best way to choose depends on your priorities: speed, data volume or Internet availability. Local methods such as Mi Mover are ideal for fast transfer of “heavy” video archives without using traffic. Cloud solutions are better for regular backup and text transfer.
Below is a table to help you decide on the method in your particular situation, and note the limitations of each of the ways to avoid unpleasant surprises in the middle of the process.
| Parameter | Mi Mover (Locally) | Google Drive / iCloud (Cloud) | Manual transfer (PC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High (depends on Wi-Fi) | Medium (depending on the Internet) | High (via USB) |
| The need for a PC | No. | No. | Yes. |
| Data types | All (including annexes) | Contacts, Photos, Files | Photo, Video, Music |
| Stability | Requires a permanent screen | High (automatic) | Maximum |
If you plan to migrate terabytes of information, locally-based Mi Mover will be preferable to avoid running out of cloud storage limits. For users who change phones regularly, cloud sync will be the most convenient solution in the long run.
Manual transfer of multimedia and documents
Sometimes automatic systems can work incorrectly with certain file formats or specific folders, and in such cases, the old-fashioned method of manually copying through a computer helps. USB-cable for Xiaomi, as well as PCs with Windows or macOS installed.
Connect your iPhone to your computer and allow access to data on your smartphone screen. Through a Explorer (in Windows) or Finder (in macOS), copy the DCIM (photos and videos) and Documents folders to your computer's hard drive, which will create a secure copy of your data before any further manipulation.
⚠️ Note: When copying video from iPhone to Windows, you may need to convert the format HEIC into JPG or HEVC into MP4 In the iPhone settings, you can select the option “Automatically” in the Photos section, so that devices transmit compatible formats.
Then connect Xiaomi in file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the stored data to the appropriate directories of internal memory.Photos should be placed in the Pictures or DCIM folder, and documents should be placed in Download or Documents, so that the gallery and file manager index them correctly.
- 💾 Use original cables to ensure maximum data transfer speed.
- 📂 Create a logical folder structure on a new device for easy navigation.
- 🔍 After copying, check the integrity of the files by opening a few of them on Xiaomi.
What to do if your computer can’t see your iPhone?
Message transfer nuances and call history
One of the most difficult tasks when switching from iOS to Android is to save the history of correspondence in iMessage and other devices. SMS. Unfortunately, because of the closed architecture of Apple, it is impossible to directly transfer iMessage to the standard Android messaging application. SMS and the history of the challenge.
To save important correspondence from messengers such as WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, you need to use their built-in backup features. In WhatsApp on iPhone, back up to iCloud, and when installing the application on Xiaomi, select recovery from copy. Note that transferring WhatsApp history from iOS to Android now often requires using the official "Move to Android" app during the initial setup of the Xiaomi phone.
Call history is easily transferred through the Mi Mover app. After migrating, you will see all past calls in the standard MIUI call. If the automatic porting didn't work, you can use third-party utilities like Copy My Data, which specialize in contacts and call logs.
💡
iMessage does not work on Android, so to communicate with iPhone users after switching to Xiaomi, messages will come as normal SMS (green bubbles), if the interlocutor does not have an Internet messenger.
Solving problems and mistakes
Users may encounter various technical difficulties during migration, and one of the common problems is the Wi-Fi Direct connection breaking when using Mi Mover, which often happens if one of the devices is power-saving or is password protected on the lock screen.
Another common question concerns file formats. iPhones default to take a photo in HEIC format, which may not open on some older versions of Android or require additional codecs. It is recommended to change the camera settings on iPhone in advance in the Settings menu → Camera → Formats to “Most compatible”.
If you encounter a “Not enough space” message on Xiaomi, check the amount of memory you have. Unlike iOS, where the system is hidden from the user, on Android all files are visible, and sometimes old downloads take gigabytes. Clearing the cache and removing unnecessary applications before transfer will help avoid errors.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the recording process even if the phone appears to be getting stuck.A forced reboot at this point may damage the file system or cause some contacts to be lost.
In case of persistent errors, it is recommended to reset the network settings on both devices and try again, and make sure that the operating systems on both smartphones are updated to the latest available versions, since security patches often fix errors in data protocols.
Completion of the setup and verification of results
Once all the transfer procedures are completed, you should carefully check the new Xiaomi smartphone. Go through the contact book, open the gallery and make sure that all the albums are in place. Pay special attention to the banking and social media apps - they will have to be reauthorized for security reasons.
Don't forget to set up two-factor authentication for your Google and Mi Account account. This is a critical step, as the SIM card is now in the new device and the confirmation codes will come there. Remove old devices from the list of trusted in your account security settings.
Now your Xiaomi is ready to go, you've saved all the important data and you've got a modern device with an open operating system, and you've got the new customization features of MIUI and the advanced functionality that's now available to you.