How to transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: the full guide

The transition from Apple’s ecosystem to Android, particularly the popular Xiaomi smartphones, often causes users to fear the loss of important files. iPhone owners are used to the closed system, but modern migration tools make this process as simple and quick as possible. If you become the owner of the new model Redmi Note 8, you do not have to manually interrupt contacts or search for every photo in the gallery.

The process of transferring information requires the preparation of both devices. A stable Wi-Fi connection is critical to the successful synchronization of large amounts of data. Without a good Internet connection, the process can be interrupted halfway, leading to errors in the contact database.

In this article, we will take a look at all the migration options available, from official utilities to manual methods, how to save folder structure and even message history. The most effective method for connecting iOS and MIUI is using a specialized application called Mi Mover, which is optimized for working with the Android file system.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before you start the active phase of the transfer, make sure that both smartphones are ready to work. Charge the iPhone and Redmi Note 8 to at least 60%, as the data transfer process is actively consuming the energy of the processor and communication modules.

Check the operating system version on your iPhone. Most migration tools require iOS at least 10 to work properly, although current versions of MIUI work better with current iOS updates. Make sure both devices have Bluetooth module and geolocation enabled, as they are used for the initial handshake between gadgets.

• 🔋 Charge both smartphones to levels above 60% to avoid sudden shutdown.
• 📶 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network at high speed.
• 💾 Free up space on the Redmi Note 8 that exceeds the amount of data on the iPhone.
• 🔒 Unlock the iPhone screen and allow access to the local network when a request appears.

Be sure to log out of some heavy services or update apps if necessary.Two-factor authentication on your Apple ID account should be monitored as identity verification may be required in the process.If you use cloud services, make sure the sync on your old phone is complete.

Using the Mi Mover app to migrate fully

The most reliable way to transfer is to use Xiaomi’s regular tool called Mi Mover, which is pre-installed on all MIUI-enclosed smartphones and is specifically designed to migrate from other platforms. For iPhone, there is a separate version of the app that you need to download from the App Store.

Run the app on Redmi Note 8 and select Recieve. On iPhone, after installation and launch, select Send. Apps will find each other over a local network or QR-Once paired, you'll see a list of categories of data that are available for copying.

⚠️ Note: During the transfer process, do not switch to other apps on the iPhone or lock the screen, as iOS may restrict background Mi Mover activity, which will cause the connection to break.

Choose the right points: contacts, messages, images, videos, and even system settings. Press send and wait for completion. Transfer speed depends on the amount of data and the quality of the wireless connection. Local Wi-Fi Direct used by an application usually provides speeds up to 20-30 MB / s, which is much faster than cloud synchronization.

Once the process is complete, Xiaomi will display a report on the number of objects moved, automatically distribute files to the corresponding folders in the gallery and contacts, and if some file formats are not supported by Android, they will be saved in the shared download folder.

Alternative method through Google Drive

If Mi Mover is not possible for any reason, the Google ecosystem is a great backup option, ideal for those who plan to actively use Google Photos and Google Contacts on a new device. First install the Google Drive or Google One app on your iPhone.

Log in to the app under the same Google account you will use on Redmi Note 8. In the app settings, look for Backup, where you can select the types of data to sync: contacts, calendar events, and photos.

Once you have finished uploading data to Google servers, pick up Redmi Note 8. When you first set up or in the account menu, add the same Google profile. The system will automatically pull up contacts and calendar events. Photos will appear in the Google Photos app after indexing.

Transfer of multimedia: photos, videos and music

Multimedia files usually take up the lion’s share of smartphone memory. When migrating to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, it’s important to save not only the files themselves, but also metadata, such as the shooting date and geolocation. The Mi Mover app stores this information, while a simple transfer through the cable can lose it.

If you use iCloud Photos, make sure all the originals are uploaded to the cloud. On Android, you can log in to iCloud via your browser, but it's inconvenient for mass downloads. Better use the Google Photos app on your iPhone to create a high-quality backup, and then just log in to your Xiaomi account.

For music, the situation is more complicated because of DRM-Files that are unprotected can be transferred through Mi Drop (now called Xiaomi Share) or simply copied to your computer and then to your phone. MIUI It's a great format. MP3, FLAC and AAC.

• 🖼️ Use the format. HEIC Caution: Some older Android apps may not open them without converting.
• 🎵 Music from Apple Music subscription is not portable, as it is only available online within the app.
• 📂 Create individual albums on a new device to save the structure of the archive.

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For fast transfer of large video files without compression, use the Xiaomi Share feature (similar to AirDrop). Turn it on in the notification curtain on both devices if the Xiaomi Share app is installed on the iPhone for iOS (if available in your region) or use Mi Mover in file transfer mode.

Working with contacts and messages

The most valuable part of a smartphone for many is the phone book, where the contacts are stored directly in the phone’s memory or Google account when transferred via Mi Mover, which prevents them from being lost when reset, and it’s important to check whether the contacts in vCard format are preserved as separate files rather than entries in the phone book.

The history of SMS and MMS messages is carried only locally. iMessage messages (blue bubbles) can not be transferred to the standard Android messaging application due to Apple's closed protocol. However, ordinary text SMS (green bubbles) successfully migrate and display in chronological order.

After the transfer, you should go to the contacts settings on Redmi Note 8 and combine duplicates. MIUI has a built-in tool for finding repeating records. This is true if you previously synced contacts with multiple accounts at the same time.

⚠️ Note: Before transferring contacts, turn off synchronization with SIM-Port contacts only from your phone’s or iCloud’s memory to avoid losing additional fields such as email, addresses and birthdays that you can use. SIM-card does not support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Use the Lightning - USB-C adapter cable when you initially set up the Redmi Note 8 for official WhatsApp chat porting and maximum compliant data volume without loss.