How to transfer data from Xiaomi to iPhone: 5 proven ways

Moving from Xiaomi to iPhone is not just about changing the ecosystem, but also the need to migrate all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even apps. Many users face problems when trying to sync devices from different brands, especially when it comes to switching from Android to iOS. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer data, including official tools from Apple and workarounds for complex cases.

The main difficulty is that Xiaomi uses its own synchronization services (for example, Mi Cloud), and the iPhone works through iCloud and Apple ID. Fortunately, there are universal solutions that will help to avoid data loss. We tested all methods on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and iPhone 15 Pro models to ensure that the instructions are up to date for 2026.

You don't need special skills or root access, just follow the step-by-step recommendations, and if something goes wrong, at the end of the article you'll find a section with problem-solving and answers to frequent questions.

1.Official way: Apple's "Switch to iOS" app

The most reliable and recommended Apple method is the use of the proprietary application "Move to iOS"**, which is available on Google Play and allows you to transfer most data directly over Wi-Fi, without using a computer.

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and contact notes)
• 📷 Photos and videos (in original resolution)
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS, But not messenger messages)
• 📅 Calendars and events
• 📍 Browser tab (Chrome only)
• 🎵 Music and books (if not protected) DRM)

Important: the app only works during the initial setup of the iPhone. If your iPhone is already configured, you will have to reset it to factory settings (more on this below). Also make sure that Xiaomi has an up-to-date version of Android 9.0 or newer installed - otherwise sync errors may occur.

Connect both devices to charging|Make sure that Xiaomi has enough space (duplicate data temporarily)|Turn off mobile data on Xiaomi (only Wi-Fi is needed)|Download “Switching to iOS” from Google Play|Prepare Apple. ID new iPhone-->

Step-by-step:

1. Start setting up your iPhone and reach the Apps and Data screen → select Move Data from Android.
2. On Xiaomi, open the “Move to iOS” app**, accept the terms and click “Continue”.
3. The iPhone will have a 6- or 10-digit code, type it into Xiaomi.
4. Select the data to transfer (you can mark everything) and wait for the process to be completed. Xiaomi will show progress, and iPhone will show time to end.
5. Once completed, click “Done”** on Xiaomi and continue setting up your iPhone.

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If the transfer is frozen in the “Minutes left”, do not interrupt the process. Wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes the system processes large amounts of data (for example, 50+ GB of photos).

2.Move over iCloud: an alternative for an already configured iPhone

If your iPhone is already configured and you don't want to drop it, you can use cloud-based porting via iCloud, which is suitable for contacts, calendars, notes and photos, but doesn't support messages or apps, and the main advantage is that you don't have to connect devices to each other.

This method will require:

• 📱 Xiaomi with Internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile data)
• 🖥️ Computer (optional, but simplifies the work with large files)
• 🔑 Apple ID (If not, register in advance)

Instructions for contacts and calendars:

1. On Xiaomi, export contacts to.vcf: Settings → Google → Google Account Management → Data and Personalization → Data Export → Select Contacts → Export
2. Send a.vcf file to the mail or upload to the cloud (e.g. Google Drive).
3. On the iPhone, open the file – the system will suggest adding contacts to iCloud.

Instructions for photos and videos:

1. On Xiaomi, upload files to Google Photos (if they are not already synced there).
2. On your iPhone, install Google Photos from the App Store and log in to the same account.
3. Select photos → “Save to Device”** or enable autosynchronization with iCloud Photos.

3. Computer use: for complete control of data

If you need to migrate all data without exception (including application files, documents or custom formats), the best way is to use a computer (Windows or Mac).

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with USB-Ports (or adapter for Mac)
• 🔌 USB-Type C cables (for Xiaomi) and Lightning/USB-C (iPhone)
• 📂 Programs: iTunes (for Windows), Finder (for Mac) and Mi PC Suite (optional)

Step-by-step transfer:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer and copy all the files you need (photos, videos, music) to a separate folder. Default path: This computer → [Model Xiaomi] → Internal memory → DCIM (photos) / Download (downloads)
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open: iTunes (Windows) → iPhone icon → File or Finder (Mac) → [iPhone Name] → Files

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The computer method is the only way to transfer data from some Chinese apps (like WeChat or QQ) that are not supported by the iOS Transition.

4. Transfer of messages from messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram and others

Messages from WhatsApp, Telegram and other messengers are not carried through standard Apple tools.

There’s a workaround for WhatsApp if the iPhone is already configured:

1. On Xiaomi, create a backup in Google Drive (Whatsapp Settings → Chat → Backup).
2. Install WhatsApp on your iPhone and log in to the same account.
3. When the app offers to restore the history, select “Restore”**.

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5. Transfer of applications and game data

Unfortunately, Google Play apps can’t be directly migrated to iPhones — they’ll have to be reinstalled from the App Store, but you can keep the progress on games and some services:

• 🎮 Games: Most modern games (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile syncs progress through Google Play Games accounts, Facebook or their own systems (e.g. miHoYo) and link the game account to your email or social network before you switch.
• 📱 Social networks: Instagram, TikTok, Twitter save data on servers – just log into the same account on iPhone.
• 💰 Banking applications: most banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB) require re-authorization on a new device.

Important: Some Chinese apps (e.g. Alipay, Taobao) may not work on an iPhone without a VPN or a Chinese Apple ID. Before you switch, make sure that critical services support iOS.

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If you play Honor of Kings or other Chinese games, export your data in advance via QQ or WeChat – on iPhones, these games often require re-registration.

6. Problem Solving: What to do if data is not portable

Even if you follow the instructions, you can make mistakes, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

⚠️ Note: If “Switch to iOS” shows the error “Impossible to connect to the device”, check that Xiaomi has turned off power saving mode and Wi-Fi Direct is enabled (Settings) → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct).

⚠️ Note: If some Chinese fonts are missing after transferring to your iPhone (for example, in WeChat), install them through Settings → Mainstream → Fonts or download special apps from the App Store (e.g. Font Case).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions