The transition from Apple’s ecosystem to Android, particularly Xiaomi smartphones, often poses the first and most important question: how to save precious memories? iPhone owners are used to the closed system and simplicity of AirDrop, so the process of transferring files to an Android device at first seems difficult.
In fact, modern technology allows you to transfer photos from iPhone to Xiomi in several ways, each of which has its own advantages: you can use official tools from Xiaomi, Google cloud services or even good old cable.
In this article, we'll look at all the current data migration techniques that ensure image and metadata quality is maintained. The fastest way to set up the initial setup is the Mi Mover app, which transmits data over a direct Wi-Fi channel without compression. Let's look at each option in detail.
Using the Mi Mover app for migration
Xiaomi has developed its own solution called Mi Mover, which is ideal for transferring data from other platforms, including iOS, which is good because it does not require an Internet connection and works directly between devices.
To get started, you need to download the Mi Mover app from the App Store on your iPhone. On a Xiaomi smartphone, it is often preinstalled in the Tools folder or available for download in GetApps.
Once installed, run the app on both devices. On Xiaomi, select "I'm the recipient" and on iPhone, "I'm the sender." QR-code or connect to a manually created Wi-Fi network.
- 📱 Make sure both smartphones have Bluetooth enabled and geolocation enabled for detection.
- 🔒 Confirm the connection on both screens by checking the security codes.
- 🖼️ In the data selection menu, tick only the "Images" or "Photos" section".
- 🚀 Click the "Send" button and wait until the process is over without turning off the screens.
⚠️ Warning: While transferring via Mi Mover, don’t switch to other apps on iPhone, as iOS can break the background connection to save power.
The transfer speed depends on the number of files, but is usually around 10-20 MB/s. This is a great way to transfer a large photo without loss of quality.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
Sync through Google Photos and Cloud Services
The most versatile and reliable way that works in 2026 is to use cloud technology. Google Photos is the standard for the Android platform, and it works great on the iPhone.
Install the Google Photos app on your iPhone and log in to the same Google account you use or plan to use on Xiaomi. In the app settings, be sure to enable Autoboot and Sync.
The main feature of this method is that it automatically converts formats. iPhones often shoot in HEIC format, which may not be readable on some older devices or require conversion. Google Photos automatically processes files, making them compatible.
After you finish downloading to your iPhone, just pick up your new Xiaomi, log in to your Google account and wait for all the photos to appear in the gallery.
| Parameter | Google Photos (High Quality) | Google Photos (Original) | Local copying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality. | Compression (visually imperceptible) | No loss. | No loss. |
| Limit the seat | 15 GB (shared with mail) | Uses a 15GB quota | Depends on the phone's memory. |
| Speed. | Depends on the Internet. | Depends on the Internet. | High (Wi-Fi Direct) |
If you run out of cloud space, you can use other services like Yandex.Disk or Dropbox, which also have apps for both platforms.
What to do if the photos are not uploaded?
Transfer via cable and computer
If the Internet connection is unstable or there are thousands of photos, the best way to use the "physical" method is to use a computer (Windows or macOS) and a Lightning or USB-C cable, depending on the iPhone model.
Connect your iPhone to your computer. In Windows, open "My Computer," search for your Apple device, go to the Internal Storage > DCIM folder, and it stores all your pictures.
Copy the photo folders to your computer’s hard drive. Then connect your Xiaomi smartphone and, in file transfer mode (MTP), copy the data to your DCIM folder or any other on your internal drive.
- 💻 On Mac, use the Image Capture app to quickly import photos from your iPhone.
- 📂 Create a separate folder on Xiaomi, for example "Import_iPhone", so as not to confuse files.
- 🔌 Use original cables to ensure stable transmission speeds.
This method is especially useful if you want to save original metadata (EXIF), such as the date, time and geolocation of the shooting, which is sometimes lost when sent via messengers.
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When copying through a computer to Windows, if the DCIM folders appear to be empty, try unlocking the iPhone screen and clicking "Trust This Computer" in the pop-up window.
The HEIC format problem and compatibility
One of the main technical difficulties when switching from iOS to Android is the HEIC photo compression format. Apple uses it to save space, but the standard Xiaomi gallery may not display such files correctly or require conversion.
To avoid problems, you can change the settings of the iPhone itself before transferring. Go to Settings → Camera → Formats and select “Most compatible.” From now on, the photos will be saved in JPG format.
If you've already taken photos and they take up a lot of space, you can convert them in batches, you can do it on a computer using standard tools or third-party software, and on Xiaomi itself, some galleries can automatically convert HEIC when they import.
⚠️ Note: Conversion from HEIC into JPG Increases the file size by approximately 2-3 Make sure your Xiaomi has enough free memory before converting.
In some cases, users are faced with the fact that “live photos” when transferred lose animations. To save them, it is better to use the method with Google Photos, which saves them as short video files.
Alternative applications for data transmission
In addition to proprietary solutions, there are many cross-platform applications that allow you to transfer photos from iPhone to Xiomi without wires and logging accounts. They use a local Wi-Fi network.
A popular option is Send Anywhere or Xender, and the principle of their operation is simple: you choose a photo on the iPhone, the application generates a 6-digit code or a single device. QR-The code you type in or scan on Xiaomi.
The advantage of these programs is that regardless of the phone brand, they work equally well between any iOS and Android devices.
However, it is worth considering that free versions of such applications often contain advertising, and the transfer speed may be lower than that of Mi Mover.
- 📡 Both phones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- 📱 iPhone will need permission to access the local network.
- ⏳ Large amounts of data are better to transmit at night, so as not to discharge the phones.
Use this method if the regular funds for some reason do not work or cause connection errors.
Set up the Xiaomi Gallery after the transfer
Once you’ve managed to flip a photo, a new gallery on Xiaomi (MIUI Gallery or Google Photos) may be acting unusual. HyperOS or MIUI has its own sorting features.
Photos can be broken down into albums by date or location, and to find photos you just uploaded, look for the folder with the title you gave when you copied it, or the section "Recently added".
It is also recommended to check Xiaomi’s cloud sync settings if you plan to use their Mi Cloud service.This will back up already on the new device.
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After transferring the data, be sure to check the integrity of the files – open a few random photos in full size to make sure there are no compression artifacts.
Remember to clear the memory on your old iPhone only after making sure all data is in place and opens on the new device.