The shift from Apple’s ecosystem to Android, particularly to Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices, often causes users to fear the loss of important data. Many iPhone owners are used to the closed system and fear that their photos, contacts and correspondence will be left behind.
The process of transferring data from iOS to MIUI (the shell of Xiaomi) has become much easier thanks to specialized utilities developed by the company's engineers. You do not need to be a technician to perform this procedure, since the entire process is automated and accompanied by on-screen prompts.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to transfer everything from your iPhone to Android Xiaomi, using official tools and proven third-party methods. We will look at the nuances of media transfer, calendars and passwords so that your new smartphone becomes a complete replacement for the old gadget.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before starting the procedure, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps that will ensure the stability of the connection. Wi-Fi network should be stable, it is advisable to use a home router, as mobile Internet may not cope with the amount of traffic. Make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 50-60% so that a sudden shutdown does not interrupt the process.
On an Apple device, you need to check if iCloud syncs are enabled for contacts and calendars, which will create a backup that can be used as insurance, and it’s also worth freeing up space on the new Xiaomi phone, although modern models have huge memory, checking free space is never superfluous.
⚠️ Note: Do not start the transfer process if one of the devices is power saving mode, as it can limit the operation of the Wi-Fi module and interrupt the connection.
It is important to disable iMessage on your iPhone if you plan to use your iPhone. SIM-This will prevent the loss of a card in the new machine. SMS-Messages from other Apple users. To do this, go to your message settings and deactivate the service.
- 📱 Charge both devices to a level of at least 60%.
- 📶 Connect both smartphones to the same Wi-Fi network (preferably 5 GHz).
- ☁️ Check if iCloud backs up on your old device.
- 🔌 Turn off the energy saving mode on both gadgets.
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Before you start migrating, take screenshots of important Wi-Fi settings or passwords if you don’t remember them by heart – this will save time when setting up a new device.
Using the Mi Mover application for portability
The main tool for migration is the Mi Mover app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones. If for some reason it is not in the Tools folder, it can be downloaded from Google Play Market or GetApps. iPhone also needs to download a similar app from the App Store.
Run the app on both devices. On the new Xiaomi smartphone, select I'm a recipient and on the iPhone, I'm a sender. The app will create a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot. You'll need to find a network with a name that starts with a Wi-Fi hotspot "MiMover_" in the Wi-Fi settings on the iPhone and connect to it by entering the password displayed on the Xiaomi screen.
Once the connection is established, the interface will suggest selecting data types to transfer, the system will analyze the amount of information and show the approximate copying time, you can select specific categories: contacts, messages, call history, images, video, audio, applications and documents.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
The copying process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data. Don't fold the application and keep the screens on. Interrupting the process during the copying phase of large files can damage the archive.
| Type of data | Transmission speed | Transfer nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Instantly. | Stored in a phone or Google account memory |
| Photo/Video | Tall. | There may be losses in quality when compressed |
| Annexes | Medium | Paid applications need to be downloaded again |
| SMS messages | Quickly. | iMessage is not portable, only regular SMS |
Transferring contacts and calendars through Google Account
If Mi Mover is not possible for some reason, the most reliable way to do this is through Google’s cloud services, a method that is particularly effective for contacts and calendar events, as they are linked directly to your Gmail account.
On the iPhone, you need to install the Google Drive or Gmail app from the App Store. After installing, log in to your Google account (the same one that will be used on Xiaomi). In the app settings, find the Backup or Sync section and enable the transfer of contacts and calendar events.
After syncing is complete on your iPhone, take a new Xiaomi smartphone. When you first turn on or in the Settings menu → Accounts and sync add the same Google account. The system will automatically pull up all saved numbers and appointment dates.
⚠️ Note: When syncing through Google, make sure that your iPhone contacts are saved in iCloud or on your device, not just in your iPhone. SIM-map, as iOS may not display them for sync with third-party applications without the appropriate permissions.
This method ensures that your data is safe even if you lose your phone, and then when you change your device, you just need to log in to recover the entire phone book.
- 📂 Install the Gmail or Google Drive app on iOS.
- 🔐 Sign in to your Google account.
- 🔄 Turn on contact synchronization switches and calendar.
- 📲 Sign in to the same account on the new Xiaomi.
Working with multimedia: photo and video
Media files often take up the lion's share of memory, and you can use both Mi Mover and alternative ways to transfer them. If you use Google Photos, you just need to install the app on your iPhone, back up in its original quality (or compression), and wait for the process to finish.
On the new Xiaomi, just log into the Google Photos app under the same account, and your entire gallery will be available instantly.This eliminates the need to store files physically on the device, saving internal memory.
For those who prefer to store files locally, a computer transfer is fine: connect your iPhone to your PC, copy the DCIM folder, then connect Xiaomi and move the files to the appropriate directory, and you can also use cloud storage like Yandex.Disk or Dropbox.
What to do with the HEIC format?
It is important to note that when transferring large volumes of video (4K, 60fps) It can take a lot of time. Make sure the router supports the standard. 802.11ac or newer for maximum speed.
Nuances of application and password portability
The hardest part about switching from iOS to Android is apps, because operating systems are different, you can't install the.ipa file directly on Android. You'll have to download all the software you need from the Google Play Market.
Most popular services (social networks, banks, instant messengers) have versions for both platforms, but progress in games and data in apps often do not carry over unless the developer has provided cross-platform synchronization through the account (for example, login via Facebook or Google).
⚠️ Note: Paid apps purchased from the App Store are not portable to Google Play. You will have to purchase them again if free analogues with similar functionality are not enough.
As for passwords, if you’ve used a bundle of iCloud keys, you’ll either need to export them or, more simply, use a password manager like Google Password Manager or third-party solutions (LastPass, 1Password) by installing them on both devices before changing your phone.
For instant messengers like WhatsApp, there is a separate procedure. When you first start WhatsApp on Xiaomi, select a recovery from a backup. However, the backup should be done on Google Drive, not iCloud. On an iPhone, you should find the "Chat Transfer" option in WhatsApp's settings and follow the instructions to create an Android-compatible copy.
Completion of setup and data verification
Once all the transfer procedures are complete, you should carefully check the new smartphone. Go through the contact list, open the gallery, check for all important documents. Make sure that notifications from the apps come in correctly.
Set up biometric protection: fingerprint and facial recognition. In MIUI, these functions work quickly and conveniently, and it is also recommended to adjust the control gestures if you are used to navigation without buttons, which is the standard for modern Android smartphones.
Take your old iPhone to factory settings, use the new Xiaomi for a week, and it will reveal missing files or synchronization issues that may have only been present in the process.
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The full transition to a new platform takes time: give yourself a couple of days to get used to the logic of MIUI and search for analogues of the usual iOS functions.
In conclusion, the transition from iPhone to Xiaomi opens up new customization and file system capabilities that were limited in iOS.