Changing from Android to iOS is always stressful, with the risk of losing important files, photos and settings. However, switching from Xiaomi devices to iPhone 12 has become more simplified thanks to Apple’s official tools. Modern migration methods allow you to copy contacts, message history, photo gallery and even some account settings without using complex third-party programs.
The data transfer process requires both smartphones to be pre-prepared to avoid synchronization errors or connection breaks at a critical moment.You need to make sure that both devices are Wi-Fi enabled and the battery is at least 50% charged, as the process can take a considerable amount of time.The key is to use the official Move to iOS app, which creates a secure local area network to transfer information.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each step of the transition, from cleaning up memory on Xiaomi to setting up cloud services on the new iPhone 12, and learn what data is automatically transferred and what you’ll have to manually configure to make your new smartphone work as efficiently as possible from day one.
Xiaomi and iPhone 12 Prepared for Migration
Before starting the procedure, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps on the Xiaomi device to ensure the stability of the process. First of all, check the availability of free space: the amount of free memory on the iPhone 12 should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer. If you move from a model with a large amount of memory to the basic version of the iPhone, you may need to delete excess videos or applications in advance.
Be sure to update the software on both smartphones to the latest available versions. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and check for updates. On iPhone 12, the relevance of the software is checked in the Settings menu → Main → Software Update. System instability is often caused by conflicting versions of operating systems when transferring data.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
It’s also important to disable any power saving features on Xiaomi that might interrupt background apps. Go to battery settings and make sure that there are no restrictions on the Move to iOS app (if already installed) or system processes. This ensures that the Xiaomi smartphone screen doesn’t go out at the most critical time by interrupting the connection.
Installation and configuration of the Move to iOS app
The main tool for migration is the tool Move to iOS, developed by Apple engineers specifically for Android users. On a Xiaomi device, you need to download this application from the Google Play Store. Make sure you download the original application from the developer Apple Inc. to avoid using malware or clone programs.
On the new iPhone 12, you don’t need to download anything, as the feature is built into the system. It’s only available at the initial setup stage of the smartphone. If you’ve already activated the iPhone and are using it, you’ll have to reset to factory settings via Settings → Main → Move or Reset iPhone → Erase content and settings to get to the welcome screen where the code for connection is available.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to install the Move to iOS app on an already configured iPhone through the App Store – on iOS, such a program for receiving data does not exist, the function is built into the original setup wizard only.
Once you run the app on Xiaomi, you have to accept the license agreement and allow all requested access: contacts, gallery, location and Bluetooth. Without all permissions, the transfer protocol will not be able to correctly read the data for migration.
What to do if the application crashes?
Step-by-step instructions for data transfer
The process of connecting devices begins with entering a special six-digit code. The iPhone 12 screen will have a digital code that you need to enter into the appropriate field on the Xiaomi smartphone. Once you enter the code, the devices will start searching for each other and creating a secure communication channel. At this point, Xiaomi may receive a warning that the network does not have access to the Internet - this is normal, agree to switch.
When the connection is established, Xiaomi will display a list of data types available for transfer. You can select contacts, message history, photos and videos, as well as Google accounts and some free apps that are available in the App Store. DRM-protected content files purchased from Google Play Music or movies will not be transferred, as they are tied to a Google account and the Android ecosystem.
The duration of the process depends on the amount of information transferred. If you have several thousand photos and videos in the Xiaomi gallery in high resolution, the process can take from 30 minutes to several hours.
| Type of data | Method of transmission | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Automatic. | Stored in memory of the iPhone |
| Photos and videos | Wi-Fi Direct | It might take a long time. |
| Messages (SMS) | Automatic. | Text SMS only, not MMS |
| Annexes | Links to the App Store | Repeated authorization is required |
| Wi-Fi settings | Automatic. | Password will be set up by itself. |
Transfer of WhatsApp correspondence and messengers
The migration of WhatsApp’s correspondence history is one of the most popular features when changing the platform.The official tool Move to iOS now supports transferring WhatsApp chat history from Android to iPhone. To do this, you need to tick the data selection menu on Xiaomi against WhatsApp and follow the instructions on the screen.
It's important to understand that for a successful transfer, both devices must have an up-to-date version of the messenger installed. QR-The code is the Xiaomi camera (which will appear on the iPhone), after which the Android device will start preparing data.
Once you have completed the migration and setup of your iPhone, when you first log in to WhatsApp using the same phone number, the system will prompt you to import your chat history. If you miss this step when you initially set up, it will be impossible to move the chats later without resetting your phone.
💡
If you have important chats on Telegram, don’t worry: Telegram’s history is stored in the cloud. Just install the app on your iPhone and log in to your account – all correspondence will be downloaded automatically.
Problems with the transmission of photos and
The most common problem when switching from Xiaomi to iPhone 12 is the photo transfer error. Users often experience the process hanging over the “Time Assessment” or “Data Transfer” stage, which can be caused by an unstable Wi-Fi module or interference with the security system MIUI.
If the transfer is interrupted, don't panic. Interrupting the process doesn't usually result in data loss on the original Xiaomi device. You can try rebooting both smartphones, forgetting the Wi-Fi network on the Android device and starting the process anew. Make sure the iPhone 12 doesn't have flight mode on and the Wi-Fi icon is on.
⚠️ Note: If photo transfer is permanently disrupted by 90%, try manually reducing the amount of data transferred by disabling the Move to iOS video transfer application, and transfer it later through your computer or cloud.
Another cause of problems may be the format of photos. Xiaomi by default can shoot in formats other than standard, or use specific compression. In rare cases, some files may not be determined by the iOS system. Once you complete the migration, be sure to check the album “Recent” on your iPhone.
Alternative methods of synchronization
If the standard Move to iOS method doesn’t work for some reason, there are alternative ways to migrate data, the most reliable of which is using cloud services, you can upload your Xiaomi contacts and photos to Google Photos and Google Contacts, and then install Google apps on the iPhone 12 and sync the data through them.
For contacts: install Gmail or Google Contacts from the App Store, log in to your account and enable sync. All numbers will appear in the iPhone phone book. For photos: Google Photos app will allow you to access your entire gallery without having to physically transfer files to your device.
You can also use a computer as an intermediary. By connecting Xiaomi to a PC, copy the DCIM and Pictures folders, and then by connecting the iPhone 12 (via iTunes on Windows or Finder on Mac), synchronize photos. This method is most reliable when working with very large amounts of data, estimated at hundreds of gigabytes.
💡
Using the Google cloud is the best alternative if direct Wi-Fi transmission fails, as it doesn’t require a permanent connection between two phones.
Set up iPhone after data transfer
Once the data is successfully transferred, the iPhone 12 is just getting started, and you'll need to log in to most apps again, because passwords are not portable for security purposes, and remember or write down logins from social networks, banking apps, and email services in advance.
Pay attention to notification settings. Notifications work differently in iOS than in MIUI. Go to Settings → Notifications and prioritize important apps to keep your messaging calls from going. Face ID and Apple Pay are also recommended for easy payment and unlocking.
Remember to uninstall the Move to iOS app from Xiaomi if you no longer plan to use it, and check if all the data is correctly displayed on the new device. During the first days of use, keep a close eye on the main features to identify possible migration drawbacks in time.