Changing the operating system from a closed iOS ecosystem to a flexible Android platform based on the MIUI shell is often perceived by users as a complex and risky process. Many fear losing important contacts, messaging or photos accumulated over the years using Apple’s smartphone.
The transition to a new smartphone should be a joyous event, not a source of stress due to potential loss of information. In this article, we will take a look at all the available migration methods, from official utilities to manual methods for advanced users. You will learn how to properly prepare both devices, what nuances exist when carrying specific types of data, and how to avoid common errors that can lead to failures.
The migration process begins long before you first turn on Xiaomi’s new device.
Careful preparations must be made to ensure connection stability and file integrity.
First of all, make sure that your iPhone has the latest available version of iOS installed, as older versions of the software may have vulnerabilities or may not support the necessary data transfer protocols.
It is also critical to check the free space in iCloud cloud storage and device local memory, as temporary backup files can take up a significant amount of storage.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to at least 80% or connect them to power supplies for uninterrupted work.
- 📶 Make sure both devices are connected to the same stable high-bandwidth Wi-Fi network.
- 🔒 Turn off iMessage on your iPhone to avoid losing it. SMS-change-of-mail SIM-map.
- 🆔 Remember or write down your Apple password ID, It may be necessary to confirm the trust of the new device.
⚠️ Note: Before any data transfer operations are started, it is strongly recommended to complete a full local backup of your iPhone on your computer via iTunes or Finder.This will create a rollback point in case the automatic migration goes wrong.
Particular attention should be paid to the memory status of the iPhone.
If the storage is overcrowded, the process of creating temporary data packets may be interrupted.
It is recommended to remove unnecessary applications in advance or move heavy video files to an external drive to free up at least 10-15% of free space for normal system processes.
Xiaomi has developed its own specialized application called Mi Mover, which is the main and most preferred tool for migration.
This utility allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call log, photos, videos, music, documents and even some system settings without using a computer.
The application works by creating a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which ensures high data transfer speeds without loading on your home router.
To start, you need to install the Mi Mover application on both smartphones.
On the iPhone, it can be found and downloaded from the official App Store by entering the corresponding search query.
On a Xiaomi device, the app is often preinstalled in the Tools or Services folder, but it can also be downloaded from the Google Play Store or GetApps if it has been removed.
After installation, run the program on both gadgets and accept the terms of the user agreement.
The application interface suggests selecting the role of your device in the transfer process.
On the iPhone, you need to press the “I’m sending” button, and on Xiaomi, you need to click “I’m receiving” button.
Xiaomi smartphone will generate QR-A connection code or password that you will need to enter or scan on your iPhone.
After successful pairing, you will see a list of data categories available for transfer.
- 📞 Contacts and call logs are transferred automatically and integrated into the phone book. MIUI.
- 🖼️ Photos and videos store their metadata, including the date of the shooting and geolocation.
- 🎵 Audio files and documents are placed in the corresponding folders of internal memory or on the SD-map.
- ⚙️ Wi-Fi settings and some system preferences can be synced for convenience.
⚠️ Note: Mi Mover does not transfer installed applications directly, as files APK not compatible with format IPA You will have to re-download all the necessary programs from the Google Play Store, but Mi Mover can show a list of your apps from the iPhone so you do not forget anything.
An important step is to choose the type of data to copy.
You can choose selective migration by marking only the desired folders, or run a full transfer.
The process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on the amount of information and the speed of the Wi-Fi connection.
Do not interrupt the connection or switch to other heavy tasks on smartphones during the transfer.
For users who prefer cloud technology or do not want to install additional applications, Google Photos and sync through a Google account will be a great solution.
This method is ideal for media library transfer, as Google provides unlimited (compressed) or large (originally) storage.
Install Google Photos on your iPhone, log in to your Google account and enable Autoboot and Sync.
After you have finished uploading all your photos and videos to your iPhone, go to the new Xiaomi smartphone.
Sign in to the same Google account when you first set up your system or in the settings menu.
All your photos will automatically appear in the gallery, as they are stored in the Google cloud, not locally.
It also serves as a great additional backup of your memories.
Quality Nuances When Uploading to Google Photos
Contacts and calendars are also easily synced through the cloud.
On iPhone, go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts and make sure your Google account is added and the Contacts switch is activated.
After that, all the numbers from the iPhone phone book will be uploaded to the Google Contacts cloud.
When you log in to your Xiaomi account, they will automatically log in.
- ☁️ Synchronization occurs in the background and does not require constant screen activation.
- 🔄 Any changes made to one device will affect another almost instantly.
- 🛡️ Data is securely protected by two-factor Google account authorization.
- 📅 Calendars and notes are also carried over when selecting appropriate synchronization points.
One of the most difficult issues when switching from iOS to Android is the transfer of WhatsApp’s correspondence history.
Fortunately, official support for this feature is now built directly into Xiaomi’s initial setup process.
When you first turn on a new Xiaomi smartphone, during the MIUI setup process, the system will ask if you want to transfer data from another device.
Select the port option from your iPhone and follow the instructions on the screen.
You will be asked to scan the QR-code using iPhone to start the process.
It is important that the latest version of WhatsApp available in the App Store is installed on the iPhone.
The process will create a temporary backup of the chats that will be decrypted and installed on the new device.
⚠️ Note: WhatsApp call history is not transferred between different operating systems due to Apple's security limitations and different database formats.
If you missed the initial setup step, you can try to transfer data through the menu of the WhatsApp app itself on an already configured phone.
To do this, go to WhatsApp on Xiaomi in Settings → Chats → Chat Transfer.
However, this method works less consistently than porting when you first set up the system, so it is recommended to reset Xiaomi to factory settings if chats are critical and go through the process again.
Make sure that both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network to successfully complete the operation.
☑️ Checklist of WhatsApp transfer
After transferring all data and configuring the main functions, the final optimization of the MIUI system is necessary.
Android and iOS have different memory and power management logics, so some settings require manual intervention.
First of all, it is worth checking the permissions for applications, since MIUI more strictly controls background activity.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications and select important messengers.
In the "Battery" or "Energy saving" section, set the "No Limits" mode so that notifications arrive on time.
It is also recommended to customize the theme and interface so that the transition from iOS is less visible visually.
In the MIUI theme store, you can find designs that mimic the style of iOS, including icons and a control center.
- ⚡ Set up control gestures for navigation if you’re used to swiping on your iPhone.
- 🔔 Check notification settings for each app to avoid missing anything.
- 🔒 Set up face unlock or fingerprint to suit your security preferences.
- 🧹 Use the built-in cleaner to remove temporary files left over after installing apps.
Unlike iOS, Android apps can request access to the file system more deeply, so when installing programs from third-party sources, carefully read the permissions requested.
The table below summarizes the main differences in approaches to data transfer:
| Type of data | The method through Mi Mover | Method through Google Account | Manual method (PC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Automatically. | Synchronization | Exports to vCard |
| Photo/Video | Direct transmission | Google Photo | Copying folders |
| Annexes | List (not installation) | List (not installation) | Search for analogues |
| Supported | Not supported | Difficult/Impossible |
💡
Use the “Second Space” feature on Xiaomi to create an isolated environment for testing new apps or separating work and personal data, which is especially important after you switch from a more closed iOS system.
To sum up, the transition from iPhone to Xiaomi has become much easier thanks to the development of migration tools.
Using a combination of methods – Mi Mover for system data, Google Photos for media and built-in WhatsApp – allows you to transfer 95% of a user’s digital life.
The main thing is to take your time, carefully follow the instructions on the screen and have a backup on your computer at hand.
The openness of the Android platform will open up new customization and functionality that were not previously available.
💡
Successful migration is not only about copying files, but also about setting up access rights and synchronizing accounts on a new device in the first hours of use.