Changing the ecosystem from iOS to Android often seems like a complex process, with the risk of losing important data. However, modern technology allows information to migrate between platforms with little or no extra effort. Xiaomi smartphone owners can use built-in tools or proven third-party solutions to fully sync.
The main difficulty in transitioning is not so much the lack of tools as the lack of understanding of which method to choose for a particular type of data. Contacts and calendars are the easiest to carry, whereas the history of correspondence in messengers or game data requires separate attention.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways available, from the official Mi Mover app to Google’s cloud services, how to keep your folder structure, quality of photos and access to purchased content, and the right preparation will ensure a seamless transition to a new platform.
Preparing iPhone and Xiaomi for data migration
Before you start the active copying process, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps: first of all, make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 50-60% of the battery.
Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The speed of the transfer depends on the quality of the wireless connection, so the use of mobile traffic is not recommended due to possible instability and traffic limits.
⚠️ Note: Before transferring data, we strongly advise you to back up your iPhone via iTunes or iCloud, which will be your insurance in case something goes wrong.
On a Xiaomi device, you need to activate administrator rights (if required for specific utilities) and allow the installation of applications from unknown sources if you plan to use third-party software. In the MIUI security settings, you should temporarily disable aggressive battery optimization for data applications.
☑️ Preparation for transfer
Use of the official Mi Mover app
The most effective and native way to port is to use the Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem. It's pre-installed on most models, but if it's not available, you can download it. APK-file or find an analogue in the Google Play store. the application works on the principle of creating a local access point.
It starts with running the program on both devices, and on Xiaomi, you choose the Recipient role, and on the iPhone, you choose the Sender role. QR-When you connect to a Wi-Fi network, automatic data analysis begins.
- 📱 Contacts and messages: transfer almost instantly, maintaining the structure of the groups.
- 📷 Media files: photos and videos are copied in original quality without compression.
- 📅 Calendar and notes: synchronized with time zones and formatting.
It is important to note that Mi Mover does not migrate the apps themselves from the App Store, as they are incompatible with Android. instead, the system will offer to find similar programs in the GetApps store or Google Play. However, settings and data within the applications can only be saved if the developer has provided cross-platform synchronization.
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If the process is stalling in the Data Analysis phase, try restarting both smartphones and disabling VPNs or proxy services that may block a local connection.
Transfers via Google and iCloud cloud services
An alternative and often more reliable method is to use cloud storage, which requires you to install Google Drive or Google One on your iPhone, and then go to the settings and select “Backup” after you sign in to your Google account.
The system will upload contacts, calendars and photos to the cloud, a method that is particularly convenient because the data immediately enters the Android ecosystem. When you first set up a new Xiaomi, you just need to enter the same username and password to automatically appear on the device.
| Type of data | iCloud Method | Google Drive Method | Speed. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Automatically. | Through the app | Tall. |
| Photo/Video | Tariff-limited | 15GB free of charge | Depends on the Internet. |
| Calendar | Synchronization | Full imports | Instantly. |
| Files. | iCloud Drive | Google Drive | Medium |
When using iCloud, it is important to consider that direct sync with Android is impossible without an intermediate link: you will first have to upload data to your computer or use the web interface to export contacts in.vcf format, which is then imported into your Google account.
Manual transfer of multimedia through a computer
If photos and videos are in the tens of gigabytes, wireless methods can be too slow, in which case the most rational solution is to use the personal computer as an intermediate buffer, for iPhone you will need iTunes or simply access the file system through "My computer".
Connect your iPhone to your PC and copy the DCIM and Videos folders to your hard drive. Note that some video formats, such as HEVC or ProRes, may not play on Android without installing additional codecs or converting.
Then connect Xiaomi in file transfer mode (MTP). Create a new folder on an internal drive or memory card, for example, Import_from_iOS, And you can move the data back there, and the Android file system recognizes the media automatically after you reboot or scan the media.
⚠️ Attention: Photo format HEIC, The default option in new iOS may not open in some Android galleries. When copying through iTunes, select the option to Save Originals or convert files to JPG pre-existingly.
This method also allows you to audit files and remove unnecessary digital debris before downloading to a new device, a great opportunity to clean up the archive and make room.
What to do with the HEIC format?
Transferring the history of correspondence and passwords
The hardest part of migration is often saving your messaging history, and WhatsApp has an official method: on your iPhone, you go to chat settings, select Backup, and create it in iCloud. However, for recovery on Android now requires the use of a cable or special cable. QR-code when first setting up the phone.
Telegram and Viber are simpler. Telegram stores all the history on its servers, so it’s easy to type in a phone number. Viber allows you to back up to Google Drive (on Android) or iCloud (on iOS), but direct transfer between systems may require the use of the “Transfer History” feature within the application itself.
- 🔑 Passwords: If you used a bundle of iCloud keys, export your passwords to the iCloud keys CSV-File via iCloud.com settings and then import them to Google Password Manager.
- 💬 Communications SMS: Transferred only through Mi Mover or third-party utilities like SMS Backup & Restore.
- 🎵 Music: Tracks from Apple Music without DRM-Protection can be copied manually, subscribers are better to install the application on Android.
Don't forget to check two-factor authentication. Make sure the phone number you're coming to is the one you're looking for. SMS-codes, active and SIM-card transferred to a new smartphone or configured redirect.
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For WhatsApp on Android, there is now an official migration tool with iOS, available when you initially set up your device or via a Lightning-USB-C cable.