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

Changing the ecosystem is always stressful for the smartphone owner. You're used to the logic of iOS, but the new Xiaomi device offers more freedom and functionality for less money. However, before fully using a new device, you need to solve the main problem: how to copy all the important data from the old iPhone to the new Android smartphone without losing contacts, photos and correspondence.

Fortunately, modern technology allows you to migrate in minutes, so you don't have to be a programmer or understand complex file transfer protocols, but the transfer process is as automated as possible, but requires a certain sequence of actions to avoid synchronization errors or loss of a piece of archive.

In this article, we’ll look at all the migration options available, from the Mi Mover app to Google’s cloud services and iCloud, and learn what data is automatically transferred and what you’ll have to manually transfer to make your new Xiaomi as user-friendly as the iPhone was.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before running any portable programs, both devices must be prepared. Make sure the iPhone has the latest available version of iOS installed.This minimizes the risks of bugs when exporting data. On the Xiaomi side, it is also advisable to update the MIUI or HyperOS operating system to current status.

Both smartphones should be charged at least on the 50-60%. The cloning process may take 15 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of information. ⚠️ Note: If the iPhone goes into sleep or dies during the transfer, the process may stop and you will have to start again.

Also check for free space on the target device. The amount of free memory on Xiaomi should exceed the amount of data you plan to copy from the iPhone. If memory is scarce, some media files can be temporarily transferred to the computer or to the cloud.

Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Some transmission methods will also require a stable internet connection. Before starting the procedure, unlock the screens of both smartphones and hold them close to each other.

Using the Mi Mover app for fast transfer

The most efficient and quickest way to transfer is to use a branded tool from the manufacturer. Mi Mover (or "Mi Move") is pre-installed on all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones. It allows you to transfer contacts, messages, calls, notes, alarm clocks, photos, videos, music, documents and even some system settings.

On the iPhone, you need to download the app from the App Store. After you install it on both devices, start the program. On the new Xiaomi, select the Recipient role, and on the old iPhone, the Sender. The system will create a local Wi-Fi network to connect to.

The interface will tell you to choose the types of data to copy, you can choose all at once or filter only the right ones. Importantly, the apps you buy in the App Store won't migrate to Android, because they're different platforms, but Mi Mover will show you a list of analogues on Google Play.

After selecting categories, click the "Send" button, and the transfer speed depends on the number of files and the quality of the wireless connection, and do not turn off the device screens or leave the application until the process is complete.

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If the transmission freezes at a certain percentage, try turning off the power saving mode on both smartphones – it can limit the operation of the Wi-Fi module.

Transfer over Google Drive and Cloud Services

If direct apps are not possible for some reason, a great alternative is cloud sync. Google’s ecosystem is perfectly integrated with Android, and properly configuring backup on the iPhone will allow you to instantly restore data to Xiaomi.

First, you download the Google Drive or Google One app on your iPhone. Sign in to your Google account (or create a new one). In the app settings, select Backup, where you can set up syncs for contacts, calendars and events.

For photos and videos, the best way to use the Google Photos app is to install it on your iPhone, log in to your account and enable Autoboot, which will save your entire library in the cloud, and then on Xiaomi, just log in to the same account, and all the photos will appear in the gallery.

Synchronization of contacts and calendar

Calendar contacts and events are the most critical information that is not to be lost. In the Apple ecosystem, they are often tied to iCloud, but for Android, they should be transferred to a Google account.

On your iPhone, go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts. Add a Google account if it hasn't already been added. After you enter your login and password, make sure the switch opposite Contacts and Calendar is activated (burns green).

Now, take Xiaomi. Go to Settings → Accounts and sync. Add the same Google account. Once logged in, the system automatically pulls all contacts and calendar events from the cloud, and this method works even if the phones are in different cities.

⚠️ Note: Make sure you sync your contacts with your Google account, not your phone’s memory or your phone’s. SIM-This ensures the safety of the data even in case of failure or loss of the device.

If you have notes created in the standard Notes app on iOS, they can also be synced through installing the Google Keep or Google Docs app on your iPhone and enabling the appropriate export options.

Working with multimedia: photo, video and music

Multimedia files take up the most space. In addition to the cloud-based methods described above, there is a way to transmit directly over a cable, if you have a lightning to USB or lightning to USB-C adapter.

Connect your iPhone to your computer and copy a photo folder (usually DCIM) to your hard drive. Then plug Xiaomi in and copy the files to internal memory or to a microSD card. This method is especially relevant if you don’t have fast Wi-Fi or are charging traffic.

The music is more complicated because of DRM-Tracks purchased from the iTunes Store with protection will not be played on Android, however, files downloaded through the iCloud Music Library without protection or purchased previously as «MP3», You can transfer music via your computer or Google Play service (download function to cloud cabinet).

Frequent problems and their solution

Despite the simplicity of the procedures, users may encounter difficulties, and one of the common problems is disconnecting the connection when using the Mi Mover, which often occurs due to aggressive energy savings that kill the background Wi-Fi process on one of the devices.

If you encounter an error called "Not enough space," check hidden folders like "Recently Deleted" in the iPhone gallery.They take up space and may try to sync. Clear the cart before you start migrating.

Sometimes Xiaomi doesn’t see the iPhone on the list of available devices, in which case you can try rebooting both smartphones and restarting the procedure, and it also helps to turn off the mobile Internet (4G/5G) on both devices to keep only the Wi-Fi module for direct communication active.

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The main reason for the failure of the transfer is an unstable connection or interruption of the process by the user, so let the procedure complete, even if it seems to be frozen.

Adaptation after the transition: what you need to know

Once the data is successfully transferred, the adaptation phase begins. MIUI or HyperOS interface differs from iOS in management logic, there is no home button (unless it is a button model), and management is often based on gesture input, which, however, is very similar to modern iOS.

You'll have to log in to all the apps again. Banking apps, messengers, and social networks will require passwords or confirmation through the app. SMS. Make sure in advance that yours SIM-The card is active and receives messages.

Pay attention to notification settings. Unlike iOS, where notifications are centralized, Android can request permissions separately, go through the list of installed programs and set priorities so that important messages are not lost.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions