How to transfer photos from iPhone to Xiaomi: all working ways

Sharing photos between devices in different ecosystems — iOS and MIUI — often becomes a headache for users. Despite the fact that Apple and Xiaomi use fundamentally different approaches to data exchange, there are at least 7 proven ways to transfer images from the iPhone 15/14/13 to the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or any other smartphone of the brand. The main difficulty is the lack of native compatibility between AirDrop and Mi Share, but there are workarounds – from classic cloud services to little-known direct transmission protocols.

In this article, we will break down each method with regard to speed, security and limitations, you will learn how to transfer 200 photos in 2 minutes without loss of quality, why Google Photos can be worse than Telegram for large archives, and what to do if Xiaomi does not see the iPhone via Bluetooth. We will pay special attention to the nuances with the format HEIC — his support MIUI Implemented incorrectly, and without conversion, some of the images can appear as black squares.

1. Transfer via Google Photos (the most reliable way)

Google Photos remains a universal solution for syncing media files between platforms, with the advantage of automatically uploading photos to the cloud from the iPhone and instantly accessing them on Xiaomi. However, there are pitfalls: free storage is limited to 15 GB (all Google services), and compressing originals can degrade quality.

To avoid losses, check the settings before downloading:

• 📱 On iPhone: Open Google Photos → Profile → Photo settings → Download quality and select "Original Quality" (if the location allows).
• 🔄 On Xiaomi: install the Google Photos app, log in under the same account and wait for sync.
• 📁 To speed up the process, turn on Wi-Fi on both devices and connect to the same network.

The speed of transfer depends on the number of files and Internet speed. For example, 1000 HEIC photos weighing ~5 GB will be downloaded in 10-15 minutes at a speed of 50 Mbps. After downloading to Xiaomi, you can save the pictures to the gallery: highlight the files → More → Save to the device.

⚠️ Note: If the iPhone is enabled with the function "Optimize storage iPhone" (in Settings) → Photos, some of the originals can only be stored in iCloud. Before transferring them back to the device: open the album, swipe down and wait for the inscription "Download completed".

2. Use of Telegram or other messenger

Messengers like Telegram, Viber or WhatsApp are suitable for transferring a small number of photos (up to 50-100 pieces), the main advantage is the lack of compression when sending via Telegram (in the "File" mode), the minus is the limit on the size of one file (2 GB). WhatsApp and Viber have a hard compression to 1600×1200 px, which is critical for professional photos.

Instructions for Telegram:

1. Create a personal chat with yourself ("Saved Messages").
2. On iPhone, select a photo in the gallery → “Share” → Telegram → “Saved Messages”.
3. Send files 10-20 pieces at a time to avoid hanging out.
4. On Xiaomi, open the same chat and save the photo with a long tap → “Save to the gallery”.

To speed up the process, use bots like @SaveAsBot, which allow you to upload up to 100 photos at a time without manual selection. However, remember: Telegram stores files on its servers without encryption, so other methods are better for confidential images.

Check the space available on Xiaomi (minimum 2× photo volume)

Turn off mobile internet on both devices (use Wi-Fi)

Make sure that the accounts in the messenger are authorized

Group your photos by folder (for 20-30 pieces) for convenience.-->

Direct Wi-Fi transmission (no clouds)

If cloud services are not available or you are afraid of privacy, use a local area network: HTTP-server (via Python or applications), FTP And specialized tools like Send Anywhere or Feem, the last option is the easiest: it doesn't require root rights and works even without connecting to the router (creates its own access point).

The following is a step-by-step guide for Send Anywhere:

• 📲 Install the app on both devices (official website).
• 📤 On iPhone: Choose a photo → "Send" → "Generate the key" (6 digits).
• 📥 On Xiaomi: Enter this key in the "Get" field".
• ⚡ Wait for the transfer to be completed (speed) ~10-15 MB/s).

It is suitable for advanced users. FTP-server:

1. Install the application "FTP Server" on Xiaomi (e.g. "WiFi FTP Server").


2 Start the server and write down the address of ftp://192.168.x.x:2221.




3. On the iPhone, install a file manager (e.g., FileExplorer).




4. Connect to the FTP- server and upload the photo to the DCIM folder.

⚠️ Attention: When transmitting through FTP Turn off your mobile data on your iPhone, otherwise the traffic will be spent on background synchronization iCloud. Also check that Xiaomi in the settings FTP “LAN Only” mode is enabled (to avoid data leaks).

4. Transfer over a computer (Mac or Windows)

The classic PC option is useful if you want to transfer thousands of photos or convert HEIC to JPG. On Mac, the process is simplified by Image Capture, Windows will require iTunes or Explorer with Apple Mobile Device Support drivers.

For macOS:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac via USB-C/Lightning.
2. Open Image Capture (in Programs → Utilities).
3. Select the device, specify the folder to save and click "Import All".
4. Connect Xiaomi in File Transfer mode and copy the photo to the DCIM/Camera folder.

For Windows:

• 🖥️ Install iTunes (even if you don’t use it) – it contains the necessary drivers.
• 📱 Unlock your iPhone and confirm your computer’s trust.
• 📂 Open "This computer" → Find your iPhone in the Portable Devices section".
• 🔍 Go to Internal Storage → DCIM And copy the folders with the photo on the PC.

If HEIC photos don’t open on Xiaomi, convert them via CopyTrans HEIC for Windows or online services like heictojpg.com. Remember: conversion takes time – 1000 photos are processed in 15-20 minutes.

5. Exchange via iCloud and MIUI Gallery

iCloud can theoretically be used to transfer photos to Xiaomi, but this method is fraught with a number of limitations. First, MIUI Gallery does not support direct import from iCloud - you will have to use workarounds. Second, free storage in iCloud is only 5 GB, which is enough for a maximum of 1000-1500 images in compressed format.

Algorithm of action:

1. On iPhone, enable sync photos with iCloud: Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Photos → “Upload to My photos”.
2. Wait for the download to complete (check in Settings → iCloud → Storage Management).
3. On Xiaomi, open your browser and go to icloud.com, log in.
4. Select the photo → “Download” (they will be saved to the folder “Downloads”).
5. Transfer files to DCIM/Camera via any file manager (e.g. Files by Google).

A critical problem with this method is the HEIC format. iCloud saves the originals in this format, and MIUI does not always process them correctly. To avoid black squares instead of photos, convert the images to JPG before downloading to your iPhone through the application Shortcuts (Apple automation).

💡

If your iCloud photos are shown as “damaged” on Xiaomi, try opening them through the Google Photos app, which supports HEIC better than the standard gallery.

6. Alternative methods: Bluetooth, NFC and SD-map

These are the ways to do this in an emergency where there are no clouds or PCs on hand, but there are some serious limitations to each of them.

For transmission through SD-map:

1. Buy a Lightning to SD Card Reader (official from Apple or certified equivalent).
2. Insert the card into the adapter, connect to the iPhone and copy the photo through "Photo" → "Import".
3. Remove the card, paste it into Xiaomi (or through) OTG-Adapter and import files.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use cheap OTG-Adapters without MFi (Made for iPhone) certification can damage the Lightning port or cause data transmission errors. ~1500 ₽, But it guarantees stable operation.

7 Automation: Shortcuts on iPhone + Tasker on Xiaomi

For advanced users who regularly transfer photos between devices, automation is fine. On an iPhone, you can create a Shortcut (scene in the Teams app) that will convert the image. HEIC into JPG, archive photos and upload them to the cloud or to the FTP-On Xiaomi, you can set up Tasker or MacroDroid to automatically download these files when you connect to your home Wi-Fi.

Example of the script for Shortcuts:

1. Open "Teams" → "Automation" → "Create personal automation".
2. Add the "Select Photo" action.
3. Add "Convert Image" (set the JPG format, 90% quality).
4. Add “Download Files” and select Google Drive or Dropbox.
5. Save the script and run it from the gallery (Share → Teams).

On Xiaomi, set up Tasker for automatic download:

Profile: "Wi-Fi connected" → "Home network"


Task:




1.Open Google Drive




2. Go to the photo folder




3. Download new files (use the plugin "AutoInput")

This method requires initial adjustment, but then saves hours of time, for example, transferring 50 photos daily will take no more than 2-3 minutes without manual intervention.

💡

Automation is justified if you transfer photos from your iPhone to Xiaomi more often 2-3 times a week.

FAQ: Frequent Questions and Problems