Changing the ecosystem is always stressful, with the risk of losing important photos or contacts, but moving from iOS to Android has become a simple process. Users choosing Xiaomi smartphones often look for a reliable way to migrate data that does not depend on an unstable wireless connection. Using a personal computer as an intermediate allows you to control every byte of information and ensures the safety of the file structure.
Direct cable via PC eliminates typical Wi-Fi sync problems, such as interrupting large video files or copying errors of thousands of contacts. Unlike cloud services, the on-premises method does not require buying additional storage space and provides high speed.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the technicalities of working with the file system of two different operating systems: how to properly prepare devices, what file formats may require conversion, and how to avoid common errors. Following the algorithm will allow you to start working with a new gadget immediately after turning on without wasting time manually configuring.
Preparation of equipment and software
Before starting the procedure, make sure all components are ready to go.You will need an original or certified Lightning cable (or USB-C for new iPhone models) and a cable for your Xiaomi smartphone.The computer must have free USB ports 3.0 or higher for maximum bandwidth.
If you are using the Windows operating system, you must have iTunes or at least Apple Mobile Device Support installed to work with your iPhone. Without this component, your computer will not be able to correctly recognize the file structure of the iOS device.
⚠️ Note: Using cheap charging-only cables will cause the computer to see the device as a power source but not access the data. Always check the cable specification.
For a Xiaomi smartphone, specific drivers are usually installed automatically when you first connect, however, it is recommended to install the Xiaomi PC Suite utility or use the built-in Windows file manager for stable operation. Make sure that USB debugging is enabled on both devices if you plan to use advanced synchronization methods, although this is not required for basic file transfer.
- 🔌 Check the integrity of the cables and the absence of oxidation on the connectors contacts.
- 💾 Free up memory on your computer’s hard drive that exceeds the size of your iPhone’s data.
- 🔋 Charge both smartphones to at least 60% to avoid shutdown at critical times.
- 🔓 Unlock the screens of both devices before connecting to your PC to confirm trust.
Once these preparatory steps are completed, the risk of technical failures is minimized, and proper hardware preparation is the foundation of successful migration.
Set up iPhone to access files
The iOS operating system is known for its closedness, so the first contact with a computer requires a confirmation of trust. When you connect the cable to the PC, the request will appear on the iPhone screen: "Trust this computer?" You need to press the Trust button and enter the digital password to unlock the device.
If you don't do this, the computer will see the device as a digital camera or not respond to the connection at all. In some cases, especially after the iOS update, a re-confirmation of trust is required, a security mechanism that prevents unauthorized access to data.
No additional settings are required to access photos and videos through Windows Explorer or Finder on a Mac if the device is recognized correctly, but the OS cannot retrieve messages, notes and call history with standard tools, and specialized snails will be required, which will be discussed below.
⚠️ Note: If the iPhone makes a characteristic connection sound but does not appear in My Computer, try changing the phone. USB-The problem is often the physical connection.
It is also important to disable iCloud storage optimization for photos if it is activated. When the function is enabled, the original photos are stored in the cloud, and only thumbnails are on the device. To copy the full versions, go to Settings → Photos and select Download and save originals.
Using the Mi Mover program for PC
Xiaomi has developed its own software to make it easier for users to migrate from other platforms. While the Mi Mover mobile app is more popular, the desktop version allows you to work with data more flexibly. Xiaomi PC Suite (or similar management tools) provides an interface to view the content of a connected Android smartphone.
The process of transferring data via a PC using specialized software is as follows: first you export data from your iPhone to an intermediate format on your computer, and then import it into the Android structure, which is especially true for contacts and calendars that are stored in specific databases in iOS.
☑️ Algorithms for Mi Mover
When working with contacts, the best format is.vcf (vCard), which allows you to save not only phone numbers, but also photos of subscribers, email addresses and social networking links. By exporting your iPhone contacts through iTunes or iCloud.com to this format, you can add them to the Xiaomi phone book with one click.
- 📂 Create a folder on your desktop "Migration_iOS" temporary storage.
- 📇 Export contacts in vCard (.vcf) format via the iPhone management interface.
- 📥 Copy the.vcf file into Xiaomi’s internal memory or on the SD-map.
- ✅ Open the file on Xiaomi and confirm the import of all found records.
The intermediate format allows compatibility and backup of contacts on your computer if necessary, a universal solution that works regardless of the version of Android or iOS.
Manual copying of multimedia through the Explorer
The easiest and most reliable way to transfer photos and videos is through the standard operating system file manager. When you connect your iPhone to Windows, it appears as an external device. Going down the path This computer → Apple iPhone → Internal Storage → DCIM, you will see folders with names like 100APPLE, 101APPLE and so on.
Inside these folders are your pictures. Just select the files or folders you want, click Ctrl+C to copy, then go to the folder of the connected Xiaomi smartphone (usually in the DCIM → Camera section or create a new folder) and click Ctrl+V. The system copies the files, preserving their original quality.
However, there is an important nuance related to file formats: New iPhones are taken in HEIC format by default to save space, while Android prefers the classic JPEG. When copying through Windows 10/11, automatic conversion can occur, but sometimes files are copied in the original format, which the old software on Xiaomi may not open.
| Parameter | HEIC (iOS) format | JPEG (Android) format | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality. | High at low weight | Standard. | HEIC is more effective |
| Compatibility | Requires codecs. | Universal. | Better JPEG. |
| File size | ~50% of the JPEG | Basic | HEIC saves space |
| Action. | 3">When copying to PC, select the "Automatic" option in the photo transfer settings to iPhone for conversion to JPEG. |
To avoid compatibility issues, you can change your transmission settings before copying the iPhone itself. Go to Settings → Photos, scroll down to the "PERFORMATION ON MAC OR PC" section and select Automatically, in which case, when you copy to your computer, iOS will convert the images to a compatible format.
Dealing with messages and call history
Porting your message history (iMessage/SMS) and call logs is the most difficult part of migration due to the closedness of iOS databases. It is impossible to copy this data with standard file manager tools, since it is protected by system restrictions.
To solve this problem, there are third-party converter programs such as iMazing, AnyTrans or MobileTrans. These applications allow you to upload correspondence to a readable format (PDF, TXT) or directly convert a database for Android.
Why can't you just copy the message folder?
An alternative, free, but more time-consuming method is to use cloud services as an intermediary, although the issue required a solution via a PC. HTML-format through utilities, save them to your computer as an archive, and transfer only important screenshots or texts to a new phone.
⚠️ Note: Third-party messaging programs are often paid. Free versions usually have a limit on the number of messages (e.g., up to 50 pieces.
As for call history, it is virtually impossible to transfer it automatically due to the differences in the architecture of the iOS and Android telephony, and the only way to save this information is to take screenshots of the call log or export them through paid utilities to a text file for archival storage on a PC.
Synchronization of calendar and notes
Calendar data and notes are the information that can be the most inconvenient to lose, and thankfully, Apple’s ecosystem makes it easy to export that data through the iCloud web interface, which is convenient to use from your computer.
To export your calendar, log in to icloud.com from your PC, log in and go to Calendar. To the right of each calendar's name is a Sharing icon (similar to a Wi-Fi antenna). By clicking on it, you can select the option Public calendar, copy the link and paste it into the browser, changing the protocol with the https:// on webcal:// or simply download the.ics file if such option is available in your version of the interface.
The.ics file (iCalendar) is the de facto standard for event sharing. Once you download this file to your computer, you can upload it to Xiaomi and open it. Android automatically prompts you to add events to Google Calendar or local Miui calendar.
- 📅 Go to iCloud.com via your browser on PC.
- 📤 Export calendars in.ics format.
- 📲 Transfer the file to the Xiaomi smartphone.
- 💾 Import events through the Calendar app.
Notes are similar: they can be copied in text or exported if a third-party client is used, but the most reliable way is to sync via Gmail. If your iPhone has a Gmail account setting that syncs notes, they will automatically appear in the Google Keep or Gmail app on a new Android smartphone after login is entered.
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Using a Google account to sync contacts, calendar and email is the fastest way to “move” without cables and PCs, but the PC method gives you complete control over files.