Changing the operating system from Android to iOS is always stressful for the user, associated with the risk of losing important files, photos and contacts. However, modern technology allows you to make the transition from Xiaomi to iPhone 11 as painless and fast as possible. You do not need to be an IT expert to successfully complete the migration, you just need to carefully follow the algorithm of actions.
The big challenge is that the file systems and ecosystems of the two giants are different, and if the transition used to require lots of drum dancing and third-party software, Apple has now built a tool right into the initial setup process. Move to iOS is the official app that creates a direct Wi-Fi channel between devices and transfers your data in encrypted form.
In this article, we will take a look at all the steps of preparing, configuring, and directly transferring information. You will learn how to save your messaging history, synchronize calendars, and avoid common errors that can lead to failures. iPhone 11’s readiness to receive data is the first and most important step to success.
Preparing devices before migration
Before you start the copying process, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready to work.The battery charge of both devices should be at least 50-60%, since active data transfer over Wi-Fi is significantly energy consuming.
The second critical condition is that you have a stable Wi-Fi connection on your Xiaomi device. Although the data will be transmitted directly between phones, initial setup and version verification requires internet access. Make sure that the iPhone 11 also has Wi-Fi enabled, even if it's not currently connected to anything.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to use the mobile Internet (4G/5G) to initially set up or download an app on Android, as this may result in authorization errors or a long load of components.
Also worth checking is the availability of space on the new iPhone 11. The amount of data you plan to transfer (photos, videos, apps) should not exceed the available space on the new device.
☑️ Pre-launch check
Installation and configuration of the Move to iOS app
A key element of the whole operation is a special application from Apple, called Move to iOS. On Xiaomi devices running Android, it must be downloaded manually from the Google Play store. iPhone does not need to install anything, since the functionality is already built into the system.
Launch the app on Xiaomi smartphone and accept the terms of the user agreement. After that, the system asks for permissions to access contacts, photos and other data. Without all the permissions requested, the application will not be able to see and transfer your files. This is the standard security procedure of the Android operating system.
On the Xiaomi screen, you will see a button "Continue." When you click on it, you will see a message that you need to enter the code that will appear on the iPhone. On the new Apple smartphone, during the initial setup (at the "Applications and Data" stage), you need to select "Move data from Android".
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If the Move to iOS app is not in the Play Market on your Xiaomi, it may be that your device is not Google certified or your account region has been changed. APK-file only from Apple's official website or trusted sources.
Step-by-step instruction: connection and transmission
Once the iPhone 11 is selected, it will have a six-digit or ten-digit code on its screen, which you need to enter into the Xiaomi app, and once the codes match, the devices will create a secure Wi-Fi network that your Android smartphone will automatically connect to.
Xiaomi will display a list of data types available for portability, and you can choose contacts, message history, photos and videos from the camera, Google accounts, and free apps that are available in the App Store. Selective transfer allows you to avoid dragging digital debris accumulated over the years to the new phone.
Start the process by pressing the Continue button. It's important to understand that the transmission time depends on the amount of data. If you have a lot of high-resolution photos, the process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, during which time the screens of both devices can go out, but you can't interrupt the process.
- 📱 Make sure the Move to iOS app is open on Xiaomi’s screen all the time.
- 🔌 Don’t switch to other Android apps, even if you receive a call.
- 📶 Do not connect to other Wi-Fi networks or turn on mobile data.
- 🔋 Keep both devices close to each other throughout the operation.
Working with messengers: WhatsApp and Viber
The transfer of the history of correspondence in messengers deserves special attention, as it is the most sensitive information for users. The standard method of backing up Google Drive will not work for the iPhone, since iCloud uses a different structure. Fortunately, the Move to iOS app has support for WhatsApp portability.
When selecting data to transfer during the iPhone setup phase, make sure the tick opposite WhatsApp is active. QR-Xiaomi's camera code to start the process of creating a special chat archive, and then the history of correspondence, media files and voice messages will be recoded for iOS.
⚠️ Note: Transfer Viber and Telegram works differently. Telegram stores all history in the cloud, so just log in to your iPhone account. Viber needs to make a local backup or use the portability function inside the Viber app itself (Settings) → Account → Chat transfers).
If you use Telegram, after installing the app on your iPhone 11 and entering your phone number, all your chats, channels and files will be downloaded automatically. No additional action is required using Move to iOS for Telegram, as it is a cloud service.
What to do if WhatsApp is not moved?
Comparison of data transfer methods
Beyond Apple’s official method, there are alternative methods that can be useful in situations like moving contacts through sync with a Google account or using cloud storage, but a native tool is best suited for a complete migration of the system.
The table below compares the basic methods so you can choose the best one for your case. Pay attention to the speed and types of data supported.
| Method | Speed. | What's transferable | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move to iOS | Tall. | Everything (Photos, Contacts, Messages, WhatsApp) | Low. |
| Google Account | Medium | Contacts only, Calendar, Post | Low. |
| iCloud for Android | Low. | Photos, Videos, Contacts | Medium |
| Computer (iTunes) | Tall. | Photo, Video (via cable) | Tall. |
Using a Google account on your iPhone is a great extra step. Once you set up your iPhone 11, go to Settings → Mail → Accounts and add your Google account, which will allow you to sync your contacts and calendar if they don’t move the main way.
Possible errors and their solution
During migration, users often encounter a message saying “failed to connect” or the process hangs during the time assessment stage, most often due to the fact that Xiaomi has turned on energy saving mode or aggressive optimization of the MIUI battery, which “kills” background processes.
Before starting Move to iOS, it is recommended to disable Flight mode after connecting to the application’s Wi-Fi network if the connection is unstable. It is also worth preventing Xiaomi from closing the application: press the application icon, select About App and set autostart and no battery restrictions.
⚠️ Warning: If the process is interrupted by 90% or at any other time, it is best to reset your iPhone to factory settings (if the data is not critical) and start over. Partial transfer can lead to incorrect contact work or duplicate photos.
Another common problem is video format incompatibility: Xiaomi can shoot in formats that the iPhone doesn’t immediately play, in which case the videos may not be displayed in the gallery, although they will be physically present in memory.
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The stability of Wi-Fi connections and the disconnection of all energy-saving modes on Android are the key to the successful completion of the migration without data loss.
Completion of setup and synchronization
When the download bar on the iPhone 11 is complete, the system will suggest completing the setup. Xiaomi will display a message about the successful completion on the screen. Now you can close the Android app and continue configuring the new phone.
Once you reach your iPhone desktop, give your device 10-15 minutes at rest with Wi-Fi connected. During this time, file indexing, app covers downloaded from the App Store, and final iCloud sync are done. Indexing is an important process without which the phone can run slowly and warm up.
Check the main sections: gallery, contacts and messages. If you used WhatsApp port, launch the app on your iPhone and follow the on-screen instructions to restore your history from a local copy. Now your iPhone 11 is fully ready to work with your data.