Transferring data from iPhone to Xiaomi: a complete guide to comparing all methods

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also the need to transfer all the accumulated data: photos, contacts, messages and applications. Many users fear this process, considering it difficult or risky, but in fact there are several reliable ways of migration, each of which is suitable for different scenarios, the main thing is to correctly assess the amount of data, choose the optimal method and avoid the typical errors that can lead to loss of information.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 current ways to migrate data from iOS to MIUI, including official Xiaomi tools (such as Mi Mover), cloud services (iCloud, Google Drive), and manual methods using an OTG cable or computer. Particular attention will be paid to transferring data without loss of quality – critical for HEIC photos and 4K videos that the iPhone saves by default.

Preparation for the transfer: what to do before the migration

Before you start transferring data, you need to follow several mandatory steps, which will help to avoid failures, loss of information and speed up the process.

The first step is to check the amount of data on your iPhone. Go to Settings → Main → iPhone Storage to see how much space is taken up by photos, videos, apps and other files. This will help you choose the best way to transfer. For example, if you have more than 50 GB of data, cloud services like Google Drive can be uncomfortable due to the limitations on free storage.

• 📱 Update iOS to the latest version to avoid compatibility issues with portability tools.
• 🔋 Charge both devices to at least 50% – the migration process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
• 📡 Connect to stable Wi-Fi (if you use cloud services or Mi Mover).
• 🔐 Back up your iPhone via iCloud or iTunes in case of a crash.

Pay special attention to file formats. iPhones save photos in HEIC by default and videos in MOV. Not all Xiaomi smartphones display these formats correctly, so conversion may be required. For example, models based on MIUI 14 and later support HEIC out of the box, and for older versions you will have to install additional codecs or convert files in advance.

⚠️ Note: If you use iCloud to store photos and videos, turn off iPhone Storage Optimization in iCloud settings → Otherwise, the device will only have thumbnails and the originals will have to be downloaded again, which will take additional time.

2. Method 1: Mi Mover is the official tool from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a Xiaomi-branded app designed to quickly transfer data between devices. It supports migration from iPhone to Xiaomi wirelessly, but has some limitations. For example, not all iPhone models are compatible with the latest version of Mi Mover, and some types of data (such as notes or voice recordings) may not be portable.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. Download the Mi Mover app to your Xiaomi from Google Play or AppGallery (unless it’s installed by default).
2. On your iPhone, install the Mi Mover app from the App Store.
3. Run Mi Mover on both devices and select Sender on iPhone and Receiver on Xiaomi.
4. Scan it. QR-code from Xiaomi screen on iPhone to establish connection.
5. Select data types to transfer (contacts, photos, videos, messages) and confirm the start of the process.

The speed of transfer depends on the amount of data and the stability of the Wi-Fi connection. On average, 10 GB of data is transmitted in 20-40 minutes. However, Mi Mover has a significant disadvantage: it does not carry installed applications and their data (for example, save in games or configure messengers), you will have to use other methods to do this.

⚠️ Note: If photos are displayed as broken files after transfer, check if your Xiaomi format supports the same. HEIC. Models older than 2020 may require the installation of codecs from Google Play (e.g., an app). HEIF Image Viewer).

Method 2: Transfer over iCloud – reliable, but nuanced

Using iCloud is one of the most versatile ways to migrate data, as it doesn’t require additional applications on Xiaomi, but it has two key limitations: the amount of free storage (5 GB) and the need to convert some files.

Instructions for transfer via iCloud:

• 📱 On iPhone go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and enable sync for the data you need (contacts, photos, notes, calendars).
• 🖥️ On your computer, open your browser and log in to iCloud.com under your Apple account. ID.
• 📁 Select data for export: Contacts: Export in.vcf. Photos: Select the desired files and download the archive (pay attention to the format) HEIC). Notes: Export to.pdf or copy text manually.
• 📲 Transfer your downloaded files to Xiaomi via cable, cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) or send yourself by mail.

For photos in format HEIC It is recommended to use a converter, for example, iMazing HEIC Converter (for Converter) Windows/macOS) Or online services like CloudConvert, which will save you from having trouble opening files on Xiaomi.

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If you don’t have enough space on iCloud, temporarily increase storage (e.g., up to 50GB for $0.99 per month), move the data, and then cancel your subscription.

4. Method 3: Google Drive is a universal cloud solution

Google Drive is one of the most convenient ways to transfer data, especially if you are already using Google services (such as Gmail or Google Photos), the advantage of this method is that data is automatically synced with Xiaomi if you have a Google account set up on it, but there are also disadvantages: a limit of 15 GB of free space and possible problems with file formats.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Google Drive on your iPhone from the App Store.
2. Sign in with your Google account (preferably the same one that will be used on Xiaomi).
3. Click on the icon + → Download and select files to transfer (photos, videos, documents).
4. Wait until the download is complete (time depends on the speed of the Internet).
5. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and download files via the Google Drive or Google Photos app.

For transfer of contacts and calendars:

• 📇 On iPhone go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
• 🔄 Enable synchronization of contacts and calendars.
• 📱 On Xiaomi, add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts and enable synchronization.

If you are porting photos, it is better to use Google Photos instead of Google Drive, as it is optimized for media files and supports backup in original quality (if space is available).

Download Google Drive on iPhone|Log in under one Google account|Check the amount of free space|Disable photo optimization in iCloud|Upload data to the cloud-->

5. Method 4: Direct transfer via OTG cable – fast and without internet

If you don't have stable Wi-Fi or don't want to use cloud services, you can transfer data directly through an OTG cable (or Lightning → USB-C adapter), which is suitable for large amounts of data (e.g. 100+GB) and works without an Internet connection.

• 🔌 Lightning adapter → USB-C (If your Xiaomi connector USB-C).
• 📁 A plug-in flash drive. USB-C (or OTG-cable).
• 🖥️ File Manager on Xiaomi (e.g. Files by Google or standard Files app).

Instructions:

1. Connect the flash drive to your iPhone via Lightning → USB-C adapter.
2. In the window that appears, select Transfer photos or open the Files application and manually copy the necessary data to the flash drive.
3. Disconnect the flash drive from the iPhone and connect it to Xiaomi.
4. Open the file manager on Xiaomi and copy the data to internal memory or to a microSD card.

This method is especially useful for transferring large video files (for example, recordings from iPhone to 4K), as it does not depend on the speed of the Internet. However, note that the iPhone does not allow you to directly copy some system files (for example, the SMS message database), so they will have to use other methods.

⚠️ Note: When connecting the flash drive to the iPhone through OTG The device can request permission to access photos and videos, and if you refuse, you can't copy the data. FAT32 or exFAT – iPhone does not support NTFS.

Method 5: Transfer over a computer - for full control

Using a computer (Windows or macOS) gives you maximum control over the transfer process, but it takes more time and technical skills, and this method is suitable if you want to selectively transfer data, edit it before copying it or convert file formats.

Step-by-step instructions for Windows:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer via Lightning → USB cable.
2. If you request permission to trust your device, confirm it on your iPhone.
3. Open Explorer and go to This Computer → Apple iPhone → Internal Storage → DCIM (for photos and videos).
4. Copy the necessary files to the hard disk of the computer.
5. Connect Xiaomi to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
6. Transfer files from your computer to Xiaomi to your Internal Storage folder or memory card.

To transfer contacts and calendars through the computer:

• 📧 Export contacts from iCloud in.vcf format (as described in Method 2).
• 📅 Export calendars via iCloud.com in.ics format.
• 📲 Copy files on Xiaomi and import them through the Contacts app or Calendar.

The advantage of this method is that you can pre-sort files, delete duplicates or compress videos to save space on Xiaomi. For example, HandBrake can reduce the size of video files without significant loss of quality.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you follow instructions correctly, users often experience errors when transferring data, and let's look at the most common problems and ways to solve them.

If you encounter a connection error while using Mi Mover or Google Drive, try:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📶 Reconnect to Wi-Fi or use mobile internet.
• 🔒 temporarily disable the firewall or VPN on a computer (if you transfer it via PC).

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The most reliable way to transfer is a combination of methods, like contacts and calendars through Google, photos through Google. OTG-cable and applications - manually from the App Store.

8. FAQ: Answers to popular questions