How to transfer data from Xiaomi to iPhone 7: 5 proven ways

Moving from Xiaomi to iPhone 7 is not just about changing the ecosystem, it's about moving all the important data, and even though iOS and MIUI work on different principles, you can make the migration quick and smooth, and the key is to choose the right method depending on the type of data and the amount of information you have.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways, from the official Move to iOS app to manual transfer through the cloud services and the computer. We will pay special attention to the nuances that arise when working with the iPhone 7 (for example, restrictions on iOS version or memory capacity). If you are afraid of losing contacts, photos or notes, follow our recommendations and everything will go smoothly.

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, make sure both devices are ready to go, which will save you from errors like transfer failures or file incompatibility.

On Xiaomi:

• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50% – transfer can take up to an hour.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (preferably 5 GHz for speed).
• 🗑️ Free up space: Delete unnecessary files if there is little memory on the iPhone 7 (maximum 256 GB in this model).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

On the iPhone 7:

• ⚙️ Reset to factory settings (if the phone is new or used). → Mainstream → Transfer or discharge → Erase content and settings.
• 📱 Make sure that your device has at least iOS 12.4 (the minimum version for Move to iOS) installed).
• 🔌 Prepare the original Lightning cable – it will be needed for some methods.

⚠️ Note: If your iPhone 7 has been in use and it has data on it, Move to iOS won't work.

2. Method 1: Move to iOS – Apple’s Official Solution

The Move to iOS app is the easiest way to transfer basic data from Android to iPhone, and it's free and supports:

• 📞 Contacts, messages and call history.
• 📷 Photos and videos (but not in original resolution if they weigh more than 100MB).
• 📅 Calendars and mail accounts.
• 🎵 Browser bookmarks and some settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper).

How to use:

1. Download Move to iOS from Google Play to Xiaomi.
2. On iPhone 7, when you first turn on, select Set up manually → Transfer data from Android.
3. On Xiaomi, open the app, accept the terms and enter a 6- or 10-digit code from your iPhone.
4. Select the data to transfer and wait until it is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the iPhone 7 is already set up, Move to iOS won't work. In this case, use iCloud or your computer (see the following sections).

Are both phones connected to the same Wi-Fi network?|

Are the devices charged at least 50 times%|

Downloaded the Move to iOS app on Xiaomi|

Is iPhone 7 reset to factory settings (if used before)-->

Important: Move to iOS does not port apps and their data (for example, save in games or chats in Telegram).

Method 2: Transfer over iCloud (for contacts, photos and notes)

If Move to iOS is not suitable (for example, due to a previously configured iPhone), you can use iCloud.

• 📞 Contacts (through synchronization with Google account).
• 📷 Photos and videos (via Google Photos or iCloud for Windows).
• 📝 Notes (if stored in Google Keep or Mi Notes).

Step-by-step:

Step 1. Exporting contacts with Xiaomi:

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Export / Import → Export to file.
2. Save the.vcf file to Google Drive or send it to the mail.
3. On iPhone 7, import contacts through Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add an account → Google.

Step 2. Transfer photos via Google Photos:

1. Install Google Photos on Xiaomi and enable autoload.
2. On iPhone 7, download the same app and log in to the same account.
3. All photos are synced automatically (may take several hours).

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If you have a lot of photos, Google Photos with the option “High quality” (non-original) before perenosom, which will save space in the cloud and speed up the process.

Method 3: Transfer over a computer (for large volumes)

If you have tens of gigabytes of data (for example, 4K-You can use a computer, and it's more reliable than cloud services, and it doesn't depend on Internet speed.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows or Mac.
• 🔌 USB-Type C cables (for Xiaomi) and Lightning cables (for iPhone 7).
• 💾 Programs: iTunes (for Windows) or Finder (for Mac), and iMazing (optional).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer and copy all the necessary files (photos, videos, music) to the folder on the disk.
2. Connect your iPhone 7 and open iTunes.
3. Select Device → Files → Move data through File Sharing (for music) or Photos (for images).

Instructions for Mac:

1. Use Android File Transfer to copy data from Xiaomi.
2. Connect your iPhone 7 and open the Finder.
3. Drag files to Photos or Files (for documents).

⚠️ Note: iPhone 7 does not support exFAT file system on external drives. If you copy data from a flash drive, format it into a flash drive. FAT32 (Files larger than 4GB are not copied).

5. Method 4: Transfer applications and their data

Unfortunately, Move to iOS and iCloud don’t port installed apps, but many popular services (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) allow you to back up chats and restore them to your iPhone.

How to transfer WhatsApp chats:

1. On Xiaomi, open WhatsApp → Settings → Chat → Backup.
2. Save a copy to Google Drive.
3. Install WhatsApp on your iPhone 7 and sign in to the same account.
4. When requested, restore the chats from the backup.

How to transfer data from games:

• 🎮 If the game supports Google Play Games or Facebook, connect your account and sign in to your iPhone.
• 💾 For games without cloud-based saves (such as Genshin Impact), use Mi Account (if the game is from Xiaomi) or manual file transfer via your computer.

Important: Some apps (like banking) require re-authorization on a new device. Check in advance if your bank supports iOS.

6. Method 5: Alternative programs (SHAREit, Send Anywhere)

If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party applications for wireless transfer.

• 📲 SHAREit – quickly transfer files over Wi-Fi Direct (up to 20 MB / s).
• 🌐 Send Anywhere – generates 6-digit code for transfer without registration.
• 🔗 Xender supports application transfer (APK), But you can't install them on iPhone.

How to use Sharet:

1. Install Sharet on both phones.
2. On Xiaomi, select Send, on iPhone 7 - Receive.

⚠️ Note: Apps like SHAREit can slow down transmissions if Xiaomi is power-saving. → Battery.

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The side of the application is convenient for one-time transfer of small files (up to 10 GB). For large volumes, it is better to use a computer or a cloud.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and here are the most common solutions.

If Move to iOS is constantly breaking, try:

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📡 Switch to another Wi-Fi network (e.g. 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz).
• 📴 Disable Bluetooth on both devices.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions