How to transfer photos from iPhone to Xiaomi: all ways with detailed instructions

Sharing photos between smartphones in different ecosystems — Apple and Xiaomi — is often a headache for users. While both devices support modern standards for data sharing, the limitations of iOS and the features of MIUI create nuances that are important to know in advance. In this article, we will examine all the current methods of transferring photos from iPhone to Redmi, Poco or Mi — from classic cable to cloud services, and also reveal the pitfalls of each method.

The main problem is that Apple artificially restricts interaction with Android devices (including Xiaomi). For example, standard AirDrop does not work with phones on MIUI, and direct transmission over Bluetooth often stops due to differences in protocols. However, workarounds exist - and we have tested them all. You will learn which method is the fastest, which preserves the original quality of images, and which is suitable for transferring thousands of photos at a time.

Before you get started, check out two key points: free space on Xiaomi (iPhone photos often weigh more because of HEIC formats) and the MIUI version (old builds may lack the necessary features). If you transfer pictures from the iPhone 13/14/15 to the Xiaomi 13/14 Ultra or a budget model like the Redmi Note 12 – the methods will be the same, but the transfer speed may differ.

1. Cable transmission (Lightning/USB-C → USB-C): the most reliable method

Using physical connectivity remains the most stable method, especially if you need to transfer a large amount of photos (from 500 pictures or more). → USB-C (If Xiaomi has a port USB-C) lightning → USB-A + OTG-Adapter for older Redmi models with Micro-USB.

Connect your iPhone to Xiaomi with a cable, then Xiaomi will see a notification “USB for file transfer” – select File Transfer (MTP) mode. On your iPhone, unlock the screen and confirm trust in this computer (if the request appears).

1. Open any file manager on Xiaomi (e.g., standard Files or Mi File Manager).
2. Go to section. USB-device → Internal Storage → DCIM (Here are stored photos of the iPhone).
3. Select the folders you want (usually 100APPLE, 101APPLE, etc.) and copy them to Xiaomi memory.

⚠️ Note: If the photo on the iPhone is saved in format HEIC (Apple standard, they may not open on Xiaomi without converting. To avoid this, go to your iPhone Settings before transferring. → Photo Photo → Formats and select Compatibility (JPEG).

Cable supports data transfer (not just charging)|

MTP mode is enabled on Xiaomi (in the notification when connecting)|

iPhone Allows Photo Access for "This Computer" |

Free space on Xiaomi exceeds the size of the transferred photos-->

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If Xiaomi doesn’t see the iPhone, try connecting the cable to another port (for example, via a new phone). USB-hub) or reboot both devices.

2. Cloud services: Google Photos, iCloud and Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is convenient when you don't have a cable or need to transfer photos remotely (for example, from a friend's iPhone to your Xiaomi), we tested three services, each with pros and cons:

Instructions for Google Photos (recommended method):

1. On your iPhone, install Google Photos from the App Store and log in to your account.
2. Enable Backup and Synchronization in the application settings.
3. On Xiaomi, install Google Photos from Play Market and log in to the same account.
4. Photos will appear in the Photos → Devices → iPhone.

⚠️ Note: If you use iCloud, remember that you can’t download photos directly to Xiaomi – you’ll have to upload them to your computer first via iCloud.com and then transfer them to your phone. This takes 3-4 times longer than Google Photos.

Google Photo |

iCloud|

Mi Cloud|

Other (Yandex, Mail.ru, etc.)|

3. Wireless Wi-Fi Transmission: AirDroid and LocalSend

If you don't have a cable and the Internet is slow for the clouds, you can use a local Wi-Fi network.

• 📱 AirDroid – supports file transfer between iOS and Android, but requires registration. speed up to 10 MB / s.
• 🔗 LocalSend - open source without registration, works through direct Wi-Fi Direct. Speed up to 5 MB / s.

How to transfer photos to LocalSend:

1. Install LocalSend on both devices (App Store for iPhone, Play Market for Xiaomi).
2. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. On iPhone, select a photo → Share → LocalSend → select Xiaomi from the list.
4. Confirm acceptance on Xiaomi.

LocalSend does not compress photos and retains the original resolution, unlike instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp.

4. Transfer via messengers: Telegram, WhatsApp, WeTransfer

Messengers are convenient for transferring a small number of photos (up to 50-100 pieces), but have critical limitations:

• 📸 Telegram – compresses photos up to 5MB (loss of quality), but allows you to send folders.
• 💬 WhatsApp – limiting 100 photos at a time, strong compression (up to the current one) 1600px long-sided).
• 📎 WeTransfer – you can send up to 2 GB without registration, but you need to download the archive.

How to minimize quality loss:

In Telegram, send a photo as a file (click the clip icon). → File, not as an image. On WhatsApp, turn on the file before sending it. HD-quality (icon) ⚙️ For WeTransfer, use the Send as option. ZIP — This will save metadata (date of shooting, geotagged).

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Messengers are only suitable for 10-20 photos, and for archives, use a cable or cloud.

5. Use of a computer (Mac/Windows) as an intermediary

If the direct transmission fails, you can use an intermediate device, a computer or even an iPad, and this is the right method if you:

• 🖥️ You need to sort the photo before transferring it.
• 🔄 Convertible is required HEIC into JPEG.
• 📁 The volume of the photo exceeds 20 GB (clouds will not pull).

Step-by-step instructions for Windows:

1. Connect your iPhone to your PC, open this computer → Apple iPhone → Internal Storage → DCIM.
2. Copy folders with photos to the desktop.
3. Connect Xiaomi to your PC in File Transfer mode and transfer the photo to the DCIM/Camera folder.

⚠️ Note: On a Mac, you will need to install Android File Transfer (the official software from Google) to access Xiaomi files. Without it, macOS will not see the internal memory of the phone.

Alternative methods: NFC, Bluetooth and QR-code

These methods are suitable for transferring 1-2 photos in emergency situations, but are not suitable for mass transfer:

• 📶 Bluetooth speed ~100 KB/s, often interrupted. On iPhone, turn on Settings → Bluetooth, on Xiaomi, select the device and confirm the par. Then send the photo through Share → Bluetooth.
• 🔳 NFC — It only works on iPhone 7 and newer + Xiaomi with a chip NFC (Mi 11, Redmi Note 11 Pro+). Speed is minimal, but convenient for transferring contacts or a single photo.
• 🔲 QR-code – generate code on Xiaomi via Mi Drop (built-in app), and on iPhone scan it through Camera or Google Lens. Suitable only for a link to cloud storage.

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To transfer via Bluetooth, first reduce the size of the photo on your iPhone: open it → “Change” → trim to a minimum size. This will speed up the process by 5-10 times.

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

To determine the best way, answer three questions:

1. How many photos do I need to transfer? 50 — messengers/Bluetooth, 50–500 — cloud, 500+ — cable.
2. Do you need to keep the original quality? Yes, the cable./PK/LocalSend, no — Telegram/WhatsApp.
3. Do you have a Lightning cable?→USB-C? Yes, method. №1 No - Cloud or Wi-Fi.

Recommendations for Xiaomi models:

• 📱 Xiaomi 13/14 Ultra, Mix Fold 3 — use the cable USB-C (maximum speed 10 Gbps).
• 📱 Redmi Note 12/13, Poco X5 — Google Photos or LocalSend is fine (USB 2.0 limiting the speed of the cable).
• 📱 Xiaomi Pad 6 – Transfer via Mi Cloud (optimized for tablets).

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems. We've collected the TOP-5 errors and solutions.

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If none of the methods work, reset your network settings to Xiaomi: Settings → SIM-maps and networks → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions