How to transfer from iPhone to Android Xiaomi: the complete guide

Changing the ecosystem is always stressful for users who are used to a certain arrangement of icons and interface logic. Moving from iOS to Android, in particular to Xiaomi smartphones, often raises fears about losing important data, photos or correspondence. However, modern technology allows you to make this process as smooth and almost invisible to the owner of the device.

Many users mistakenly believe that synchronization between different operating systems is impossible or requires complex manual adjustment of each parameter. In fact, Xiaomi and Google have developed powerful migration mechanisms that automatically recognize the structure of data from the iPhone. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to transfer all the necessary files from the iPhone to the Android Xiaomi, preserving the folder structure and access to multimedia.

Preparing iPhone for data migration

Before you start the transfer process, it is critical to properly prepare the data source, i.e. your iPhone. Make sure that the device is charged at least 50-60%, as the process can take a considerable time, especially with a large amount of information being transferred.

The second important step is to back up your iCloud, even if you plan to use a direct connection.This serves as a safety layer in case the transfer is interrupted halfway. Go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Backup iCloud and click on “Create a backup.” Once completed, make sure that the device is enabled Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as they are used to detect devices and transfer data.

The third aspect of preparation is space cleaning and optimization: Remove unnecessary apps that you don’t plan to install on a new phone so you don’t waste time downloading and then deleting them. Check that the iPhone doesn’t have iCloud’s Data Savings mode enabled, as this can block access to some types of files during sync.

⚠️ Note: If your iPhone has two-factor authorization enabled by Apple ID, Make sure you remember your password and have access to a trusted phone number, as proof of identity may be required during the migration process.

Using the Mi Mover app for Xiaomi

The main tool for migrating to Xiaomi devices is the built-in Mi Mover app (or “Mi Move”). Unlike universal solutions, this tool is optimized specifically for the MIUI and HyperOS shell, which allows you to transfer not only files, but also some brand-specific system settings.

The process starts with launching the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, select the role “I’m a recipient” and on the iPhone, “I’m a sender.” QR-code that will appear on the Android device screen, and for this purpose, you may need to install a separate Mi Mover app from the App Store on your iPhone unless it is preinstalled.

Once the devices are connected via a temporary Wi-Fi network created by Xiaomi smartphone, the data selection menu will open. Here you will see categories: Contacts, Messages, Photos, Videos, Audio and Documents. It is important to note that the folder structure can change slightly when transferring photos, so after transfer it is worth checking the albums in the gallery.

The speed of transmission depends on the amount of data and the distance between the devices. It is recommended to put the smartphones next to each other and not use them in the process, so as not to break the connection. If the transmission is interrupted, the application usually knows how to resume the process from the stop, but it is better to avoid sudden movements or exit from the Wi-Fi range.

Transferring contacts and calendars through Google Account

The most reliable and cleanest way to migrate contacts and calendar events is to use Google’s cloud sync, which ensures that your data is saved even if you decide to change your phone again in the future. → Contacts → Add your Google account if you haven’t already added it.

Once you have login and password, the system will suggest you select the sync elements. Be sure to tick the boxes next to Contacts, Calendars and Notes. Click Save. Now all iOS data will start uploading to the Google cloud, a process that can take anywhere from minutes to an hour depending on the number of records.

On the new Xiaomi device, just log into the same Google account at the first setting or in the Settings menu. → Accounts and syncs: Once synced, contacts will automatically appear in the phone book and events in the Calendar app, avoiding the duplication of records that often occurs when imported through.vcf files.

Migration of photos and videos: nuances of formats

One of the most challenging tasks when switching from iPhone is working with media file formats. Apple uses the HEIC format for photos and HEVC for videos, which by default may not be supported by some Android applications. However, modern Xiaomi processors and the MIUI shell are able to decode these formats, but for maximum compatibility it is better to convert them to standard JPEG.

When using Mi Mover, conversions often occur automatically in the background. If you use Google Photos, the service can also process files when downloading, if the storage quality settings choose the option “High quality” (with compression) or “Original”, in which case files can take up more space in the cloud, but will retain the original quality.

For manual transfer via computer, it is recommended to use the Lightning-to-USB cable and the Photos program on Windows or Photos on Mac. When copying to a PC, you can choose the option of automatic conversion to a compatible format. After that, the files are simply transferred to the DCIM or Pictures folder on a Xiaomi smartphone through the file manager.

⚠️ Attention: Format HEIC It takes up less space, but editing in third-party Android apps may require additional codec. If you plan to actively process photos, it is better to immediately set the iPhone to shoot in the format of “Most compatible” before transferring.

Transfer of correspondence from WhatsApp and Telegram

Messengers store data in different ways. Telegram uses cloud storage, so you just need to install an app on Xiaomi, enter your phone number and confirmation code. All chats, channels and media files (except secret chats) will be downloaded automatically. No additional actions are required.

WhatsApp is more complicated because the history of correspondence is tied to the manufacturer’s cloud. To transfer from iOS to Android, it officially requires the use of the “Data Transfer” feature when you first set up the phone or through the Move to iOS app (reverse) or specialized utilities. On the new Xiaomi, when initially configured, the system itself will offer to transfer data from WhatsApp, scanning it. QR-code.

If the phone is already set up, you can try backing up WhatsApp on your iPhone (Settings → Chats → Backup), but you can’t restore it to Android directly from iCloud. You’ll either need to reset the phone and reset it using the official USB-C (Lightning) cable, or use third-party paid software on a PC that can convert databases.

• 📱 Telegram: Full cloud synchronization, phone number login.
• 💬 WhatsApp: Requires the use of official cable or reset to migrate history.
• 📸 Viber: Has the function of transferring history through QR-code within the application (Settings) → Account. → Transfer of history).

💡

For WhatsApp, it is critical to use the official method when you first set up your phone, otherwise your correspondence history will be lost without the ability to recover through the cloud.

Search for analogues of applications from the App Store

The move to Android means moving from a closed App Store to an open Google Play and GetApps (Xiaomi Store), with most popular apps (social media, banks, navigators) running versions for both platforms, but some paid apps or games purchased on iOS may not be available on Android or require re-purchase.

Often, developers use a single system of accounts. For example, if you used a paid version of a notebook app or a habit tracker, just log in to your account inside the app on a new phone — subscriptions can be activated automatically if the developer supports cross-platform, otherwise you will have to look for free analogues, which are abundant in the Android ecosystem.

To find analogues, use a search on Google Play by the name of the application. If it is not available, try to find a web version of the service or an alternative with similar functionality. Xiaomi ecosystem offers many pre-installed tools (Dictophon, Calculator, Scanner), which are often more functional than third-party counterparts from the App Store.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

After switching to Android, set up Google Find My Device immediately, which is an analogue of Find My iPhone, which will help track your phone or remotely erase data in case of loss.