The transition from Apple to Android often brings mixed feelings among users: on the one hand, new customization opportunities open up, and on the other, the prospect of losing important data is frightening. Migration between operating systems is not just copying files, it is moving to a digital home with a different layout. However, modern tools such as Mi Mover and Google cloud services have made this process as automated and understandable as possible even for beginners.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how to transfer information safely and correctly. Xiaomi offers powerful built-in tools that allow you to copy contacts, photos, videos, and even some system settings in minutes. The main thing is to follow the algorithm of actions clearly and understand what data requires special attention when changing the platform.
Preparing iPhone for data transfer
Before you start the process, you need to make sure that the original device is working correctly. Check the version of the iOS operating system: for the stable operation of most migration tools, it is advisable to use the current version of the software. Also critical is the availability of free space and a stable connection to the Internet if you plan to sync through the cloud.
Make sure your iPhone is signed in to your Apple ID. This is necessary to check for app purchases and, in some cases, to upload data via iCloud. If you plan to use a local connection (Wi-Fi Direct), make sure the wireless module is in good working order.
Back up your data before you start any manipulations, and that's the golden rule of digital hygiene, which will save you in case of an unexpected failure, and even if the transfer process looks simple, there's always a risk of losing some of the metadata or settings.
⚠️ Note: Do not delete data from your iPhone until you have fully verified the integrity of the information on your new Xiaomi device.
If your iPhone is 256GB full and the new Xiaomi smartphone has 128GB of storage, you will have to manually filter the files and delete the extra before you start migrating.
☑️ Preparing iPhone for Migration
Using the Mi Mover app for migration
The main tool for data transfer is the Mi Mover app, which is often built into the system or available in the Tools folder on Xiaomi smartphones, and it must be downloaded from the App Store on iPhones, the official developer solution that provides the highest transfer speed.
The process starts with running the app on both devices, and on the new Xiaomi smartphone, you choose the Reciever role, and on the iPhone, the Sender, and the system creates a temporary Wi-Fi network that you need to connect to from your iPhone.
Once you've established the connection, you'll see a list of data categories that you can transfer, and the algorithm allows you to select just the right items, ignoring the system debris, and you can migrate contacts, messages, call history, photos, videos, and even some system settings.
- 📱 Contacts and call history – transfer almost always without loss of formatting.
- 🖼️ Media files – photos and videos retain original quality and metadata (EXIF).
- ⚙️ System settings – Basic parameters such as wallpaper and alarm settings can be copied.
- 📦 Apps – only free analogues from Google Play are ported, paid iOS apps will require a re-purchase.
It’s important to understand that apps aren’t directly portable, as the architecture of Android and iOS is radically different, but Mi Mover can tell you which apps you have installed in the Google Play store and suggest you download them.
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Use the original Lightning-to-USB cable (if Xiaomi has a USB-C connector, you need an adapter) for wired connection – this will speed up the transfer of large amounts of data at times compared to Wi-Fi.
Sync with Google Account and iCloud
An alternative and often more reliable way is to use cloud services. Google provides great tools for iOS users. To get started, install the Google Drive or Google Photo app on your iPhone and complete full sync.
Contacts are the most important part of any migration. On your iPhone, go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts and make sure the switch opposite Google is activated.
Google Photos is the best service for photos and videos, and it automatically backs up high quality (or original if you have a subscription) and all your photos will appear in the gallery after you log in to the same Xiaomi account.
Notes and calendars can also be synchronized, and notes from the standard Apple Notes app are harder to migrate, so they often have to be copied manually or used by third-party aggregators like Evernote or Notion.
| Type of data | The method through Google | The method through Mi Mover | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Automatically. | Locally. | Google is more reliable for long-term storage |
| Photo/Video | Google Photo | Direct transmission | Mi Mover is faster for larger volumes |
| Calendar | Synchronization | Partially. | Account login required |
| Messages (SMS) | Not supported | Supported | iMessage is not portable |
What do you do with iMessage?
Manual transfer of multimedia and documents
Not all files are convenient to transfer through standard tools; heavy video files, document archives, or specific formats are better copied manually, and you can use the computer as an intermediary.
Connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac, copy your media folders. Then connect Xiaomi and move the data to the appropriate directories, like /DCIM/Camera for photos or /Download for documents. Android is more open, giving you freedom of action.
It is convenient to use fast sharing technologies to wirelessly transfer individual files. Xiaomi has built-in Mi Drop (or simply “Wi-Fi Sharing” in the standard file manager), which is compatible with file transfer protocols. On iPhone, you can use file sharing applications that work through a browser.
Cloud storage like Yandex.Disk, Dropbox or OneDrive is also a great solution: upload your iPhone files to the cloud and then download them to Xiaomi, which is especially true if you don’t have a computer or cable on hand.
⚠️ Note: When manually copying video, pay attention to the file format. HEIC (Effective photo storage on iPhone may not be read by some Android players without converting.
Remember the files in the Files app on the iPhone, and documents downloaded from the Internet or received via instant messengers are often located there, rather than in the standard gallery, and must be moved separately.
Working with applications and ecosystem
The biggest challenge in the transition is losing apps you bought and gaming progress. iOS and Android platforms use different app stores, so purchases don't automatically transfer. You'll have to re-download the right apps from Google Play.
Many popular services, such as social networks, instant messengers and banking applications, use cloud-based account synchronization, just logging into your profile to restore correspondence and settings, but local data stored inside applications can be lost.
For games, it depends on the developer, and if the game supports login through Facebook, Google Play Games, or your own account, progress will continue, and if the progress is stored only in iCloud or Game Center, you will have to start the game again.
Alternatives to paid apps: Paid iOS programs often have free ad-based counterparts or paid versions for Android.Be prepared for the fact that some niche apps may only be available on one platform.
- 💬 WhatsApp allows you to transfer your correspondence history when you initially set up Xiaomi (via cable or via a cable) QR-code).
- 🎵 Music – subscriptions Apple Music or Yandex.Music work cross-platform, you just need to download the application.
- 🏦 Banks – make sure your bank app is available on Google Play or install it via RuStore).
Set up a new smartphone Xiaomi after the transfer
Once the data migration is complete, the fine-tuning phase begins. MIUI (or HyperOS) is a very different interface from iOS. You will need time to get used to the new logic of menus and gestures.
First of all, set up biometrics. The fingerprint scanner on Xiaomi is often built into the screen or on button. Also set up the face unlock, although it's less secure than FaceID on iPhone.
Check notifications. Android has a more aggressive power saving system that can kill background processes of messengers. Go to Settings → Applications → Auto Run and allow important applications to work.
Organize a desktop. Unlike iOS, you can have widgets of any size, anywhere. Install a launcher if you don't like the standard one, even though the HyperOS theme is very flexible and modern.
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It takes 3 to 7 days to fully adapt to the new system. Don't panic if something seems uncomfortable in the first hours - the flexibility of Android allows you to customize your phone to suit yourself better than iOS.