How to transfer data from Xiaomi to iPhone 11: 5 proven ways

Moving from Xiaomi to iPhone 11 is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also the need to transfer all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even app settings. Many users face difficulties with this migration, especially if we are talking about different operating systems — MIUI (based on Android) and iOS. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of data transfer, including official tools from Apple and workarounds for specific files.

The iPhone 11 is a feature of iOS's limitations on external data sources. For example, direct file transfers via USB-C → Lightning cable are often blocked by Apple's security system. So it's important to prepare both devices in advance and choose the best method depending on the type of data. Next, detailed instructions for each scenario, from simple transfer of contacts to complex migration of messages from WhatsApp or Telegram.

1. Preparation of devices before data transfer

Before you start the transfer, you need to follow a few critical steps on both smartphones, skipping either of them can lead to data loss or malfunctioning of applications on the new iPhone.

On Xiaomi:

• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → System Update: Older versions of software may contain errors when exporting data.
• 🔋 The battery must be at least 50 percent charged, and data transfer is a resource-intensive process, and a sudden shutdown can interrupt it.
• 📁 Free up space on the internal drive. Temporary files will require at least 2-3 GB of free space.
• 🔒 Turn off the screen lock (if it interferes with the connection to the PC), this applies to the pattern lock, fingerprint or facial recognition.

On the iPhone 11:

• 🍎 Make sure your device is running iOS 15 or later (checks in Settings) → Mainstream → Older versions don't support some migration methods.
• 📡 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network. Cloud-based transfer (e.g. iCloud) requires high-speed internet.
• 🔄 Reset your network settings if you have previously had connection problems: Settings → Mainstream → Transfer or discharge → Resetting network settings.

⚠️ Note: If data encryption is enabled on Xiaomi (in Settings) → Security → Encryption, some portability techniques may not work, and you may need to temporarily disable encryption or use cloud services.

Method 2: Official Appendix "Switching to iOS"

The most reliable and recommended Apple method is the use of the application "Move to iOS" **, which allows you to transfer:

• 📞 Contacts, call history
• 📸 Photos and videos (without loss of quality)
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS, but not messengers)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders
• 🎵 Music and books (if not protected) DRM)
• 📱 System settings (language, screen background, etc.)

Step-by-step:

1. Download “Switch to iOS”** on Xiaomi from Google Play.
2. On iPhone 11, when you first turn on, select Set up manually → Transfer data from Android. If the device is already configured, reset it through Settings → Basic → Move or Reset → Erase content and settings.
3. On Xiaomi, open the app, accept the terms and enter the 10-digit code that will appear on the iPhone.
4. Select the data to transfer and wait for the process to be completed. Don't interrupt the connection or block the screens!

⚠️ Note: If the iPhone 11 already has data, it will have to be erased before porting.The iOS Transition app only works when the iPhone is first set up.

Download app on Xiaomi| Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network| Charge both devices to 100%|Free 5+ GB on iPhone|Write the code to transfer-->

Method 2: Transfer over cloud services (Google Drive, iCloud)

If the official app doesn't work (e.g., the iPhone is already set up), you can use cloud storage, which is universal, but requires more time and traffic.

For contacts and calendars:

1. On Xiaomi, export your contacts to Google Account: Contacts → Settings → Export/Import → Export to.vcf → select Google.
2. On iPhone 11, add the same Google Account to Settings → Passwords and Accounts → Add an account and enable contact sync.

For photo and video:

• 📁 Upload files to Google Photos on Xiaomi (automatically or manually).
• 📱 Install Google Photos on iPhone 11, log in and download media files.
• 🔄 Alternative: Use iCloud Drive (upload files from Xiaomi via your browser to icloud.com, then download them to your iPhone).

For messages (SMS/MMS):

• 💬 Use third-party apps like this SMS Backup & Restore (export to Google Drive, then import to iPhone via iTunes or iMazing).
• ⚠️ Messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) are transferred only through their built-in backup functions.

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If you have slow internet, upload files to the cloud at night or use a mobile hotspot with unlimited rates.

4. Method 3: Computer-assisted transfer (Windows/Mac)

For users who prefer local data copying without clouds, a PC-based method will be suitable, requiring a USB-Type C cable for Xiaomi and Lightning for iPhone 11.

Step 1. Copy data from Xiaomi to PC:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.) to your hard drive.

Step 2. Transfer to iPhone 11:

• 🖥️ For Windows: Use iTunes or Apple Music to sync your media files. Connect your iPhone, select it in the program, and drag and drop the files to the appropriate sections (music, photo).
• 🍎 For Mac: Open Finder, connect iPhone and transfer files through Files tab.

Step 3: Transfer contacts via vCard:

1. On Xiaomi, export your contacts to.vcf (via Contacts → Settings → Export).
2. Send the file to your PC, then import it to iCloud via a web interface or directly to your iPhone via email.

⚠️ Note: When connecting an iPhone 11 to a PC, you will first need to unlock the device and confirm trust in the computer (Trust this computer.

5. Method 4: Transfer messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)

Messages from popular messengers are not carried by standard methods, and each application has its own nuances:

WhatsApp:

• 🔄 Create a backup on Xiaomi: WhatsApp Settings → chat → Backup (save to Google Drive).
• 📱 Install WhatsApp on your iPhone 11, log in to the same account and restore chats from backup!

Telegram:

• ☁️ All chats and media files are automatically synced to the Telegram cloud. Just install the app on your iPhone and log into your account.
• 📁 For local secret chats, use export: Settings → Additionally. → Exporting chat data (sending a file to the mail or cloud).

Viber:

• 🔗 Transfer is only possible via Viber Backup to Google Drive (similar to WhatsApp).On iPhone, restore a copy when you first start.
• ⚠️ If the backup is old, new messages will not be transferred.

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It is critical for messengers to use the same phone number and account, and if you change the number, the chat history will be lost.

6. Method 5: Transfer applications and their data

Unfortunately, it is not possible to directly transfer installed applications from Android to iOS.

• 📲 Install analogues of apps from the App Store (for example, Google Maps instead of Yandex.Maps).
• 🔄 Transfer game and program data through accounts (e.g., game progress is tied to Google Play Games or Facebook).
• 📂 For certain applications (e.g, 1Password, Evernote has built-in exports/imports through the cloud.

For the transfer of notes and documents:

• 📝 Export notes from Mi Notes to.txt or.pdf, then import them to Apple Notes via iCloud.
• 📄 For Microsoft Office or Google Docs, it is enough to log into your iPhone account – all files are synchronized automatically.

If the app doesn’t have cross-platform sync, check if it has a data export feature, for example, Spotify can transfer playlists through Spotify Codes or third-party services like Soundiiz.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you migrate data from Xiaomi to iPhone 11, users face typical problems.

If the data is not fully transferred, check:

• 📡 Internet speed (for cloud-based methods).
• 📱 Free space on the iPhone 11 (minimum 10-15% of the volume of data transferred).
• 🔌 Cable quality (for transfer over PC).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions