How to transfer data from Xiaomi to iPhone 12: 5 proven ways

The transition from Xiaomi to iPhone 12 is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also the need to transfer all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even apps (MIUI vs. iOS), but the process can be simplified if you know the key nuances.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for data transfer — from official Apple tools to third-party applications, and also describe how to avoid loss of information. MIUI on iOS without losing chat history, as it is one of the most difficult tasks when switching.

Whether you’re upgrading to an iPhone 12 with a Redmi Note 10, Poco X3 Or the flagship Xiaomi 13, the instructions below are suitable for any model, the main thing is to properly prepare both devices before starting the process.

1. Preparation of devices before data transfer

Before migrating, there are several critical steps to follow on both smartphones, and neglecting preparation can lead to data loss or malfunctioning of sync services.

On Xiaomi:

• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Update: Older versions of software may not support modern transmission protocols.
• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50% – the transfer process can take up to 1 hour with a large amount of data.
• 🗑️ Clear the app cache (especially Gallery and Messages) through Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔒 Turn off the screen lock (PIN, pattern lock) for transfer time – some methods require constant access to the device.

On iPhone 12:

• 🍎 Go through the initial setup to the Apps and Data screen, but don’t complete it – select Move Data from Android.
• 🔌 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (preferably 5 GHz) – mobile internet may not be able to handle large files.
• 📶 Turn it off. VPN and proxy in Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) near the network – they can block the connection to Apple servers.

⚠️ Note: If data encryption is enabled on Xiaomi (in Settings) → Additionally. → Encryption and accounts, some portability techniques may not work. In this case, use cloud services.

2.Official way: "Switching to iOS" from Apple

The most reliable and recommended method for Apple is to use the “Move to iOS” app, which is free and available on Google Play, but only works when you first set up the iPhone 12.

Step-by-step:

1. On iPhone 12 on the Apps and Data screen, select Move Data from Android.
2. On Xiaomi, install “Move to iOS”** from Google Play and open it.
3. Click Continue on both devices, then Next on Xiaomi.
4. The iPhone will have a 6- or 10-digit code, type it into Xiaomi.
5. Select data for transfer (contacts, messages, photos, mail, bookmarks) and wait for completion.

The annex carries:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and avatars)
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS, But not messenger messages)
• 📷 Photo and video (in original quality)
• 🌐 Bookmarks from Chrome or MIUI Browser
• ✉️ Postal Accounts (except Corporate Accounts)
• 📅 Calendars (if synced with Google)

⚠️ Warning: If the transfer is interrupted, start over from scratch. Partially downloaded data can lead to duplicate contacts or damage to media files.

On the iPhone selected item “Move data from Android”

Xiaomi has turned off the power saving mode

Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Xiaomi has enough free space (minimum 1 GB)

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3. Move through Google Account (for contacts and calendars)

If you’ve used Google services on Xiaomi, most of the data is already synced to the cloud, a method that works for moving contacts, calendars, and email, but doesn’t work with media files or messages.

Instructions:

1. On Xiaomi, check that sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google → (your account) → Synchronize contacts/calendar
2. On iPhone 12, add the same Google account: Settings → Post → Accounts. → Add an account → Google
3. Enable synchronization for Contacts, Calendars and Notes.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Fast (data appears on the iPhone in 5-10 minutes)
• 🔄 Automatic updates when changes occur
• 🆓 No need for additional applications

Limitations:

• 🚫 Does not tolerate photos, videos, messages
• 📱 On iPhone, contacts will be duplicated if they are already in iCloud

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If contacts don't appear on your iPhone, check if sync is disabled in Google's settings on Xiaomi. MIUI Resets these parameters after updating.

4. Photo and video transfer: cloud services vs. physical copying

Media files are the largest type of data, and transferring them requires a different approach. Let's look at 3 ways, each of which is suitable for different scenarios.

Method 1: Google Photos (recommended for large libraries)

If you have thousands of photos, Google Photos is the best option:

1. On Xiaomi, set up Google Photos and log in to your account.
2. Enable autoboot: Settings → Backup and synchronization → On.
3. Wait until the download is complete (it can take hours with slow internet).
4. On iPhone 12, install Google Photos, log in to the same account and download files.

Method 2: iCloud (if you plan to use the Apple ecosystem)

If you are switching to Apple, transfer your photos directly to iCloud:

• 📁 Copy photos from Xiaomi to your computer through USB.
• 🖥️ Download them to iCloud.com via browser.
• 📱 On iPhone, enable sync: Settings → (name) → iCloud → Photo Photo → iCloud Photo Photo Photo

Method 3: Direct Wi-Fi transmission (for small volumes)

Applications like Send Anywhere or Xender allow you to transfer files without the cloud:

1. Install the app on both devices.
2. On Xiaomi, select files and generate code or QR.
3. On iPhone 12, enter the code or scan QR.

After June 1, 2021, Google Photos will limit free storage to 15 GB (total limit with Gmail and Drive).

5. Transfer of messages from MIUI on iPhone, including WhatsApp)

One of the hardest aspects of migration is keeping your correspondence history, and Apple's standard tools don't carry messages from messengers, so you'll have to use workarounds.

SMS/MMS

If you only need standard ones SMS:

• 📲 Use “Switch to iOS”** (described in section 2).
• 💾 Or export. SMS file-through SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play), then import it to your iPhone via iMazing (paid software for your iPhone) Mac/Windows).

WhatsApp

To transfer WhatsApp chats:

1. On Xiaomi, make a backup: WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy
2. Install iMazing or Backuptrans on your computer.
3. Connect Xiaomi and export chats to the file.
4. Connect your iPhone 12 and import the data.

Telegram

Telegram has chat history stored in the cloud, so:

• 🔄 Just install Telegram on your iPhone and log in to your account – all messages will be automatically downloaded.
• 📁 Media files (photos, videos) will have to be re-uploaded, as they are stored locally.

⚠️ Note: When you transfer WhatsApp through third-party tools (such as Backuptrans), messages may appear without a date or in a chaotic order.

6. Transfer of applications and game data

Unfortunately, the direct transfer of installed applications from Android to iOS is not possible due to the difference in the architecture of the OS.

List of installed annexes

Not to forget what the program was on Xiaomi:

1. Export the list through App List Backup (from Google Play).
2. Or manually write down the names from the Settings → Annexes → Application management.
3. On the iPhone, find analogues in the App Store.

Game saves

To transfer progress in games:

• 🎮 If the game supports Google Play Games or Facebook Login, sign in to the same account on your iPhone.
• 🖥️ For locally saved games (such as Minecraft), use iMazing to manually transfer files.
• ⚠️ Some games (such as Genshin Impact) require mail binding for cross-platform synchronization.

Popular apps and their analogues on iOS:

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Most cross-platform apps (e.g. Spotify, Netflix, Instagram) automatically sync data when you log in to your account, and pay attention to unique programs (banking, fitness trackers, local games).

7. Frequent errors and their solution

Even when you follow instructions, users have problems. TOP-5 errors and ways of correcting them:

1. "Switching to iOS" doesn't find code

Causes and solutions:

• 📶 Wi-Fi problems: Reconnect both devices to the same network (preferably 5GHz).
• 🔋 Low battery power: connect Xiaomi to charging.
• 🛡️ firewall/VPN: Turn them off on Xiaomi in Settings → Connections and sharing → VPN.

2.Photos moved, but no date

It's because of the discharge. EXIF-Data transfers, decision:

• Use Google Photos to store metadata.
• Or restore dates through Exif Viewer on your iPhone.

3. Contacts are duplicated

If your contacts are synced with both Google and iCloud:

1. Open Contacts on your iPhone.
2. Press Groups in the upper left corner.
3. Disable duplicate sources (e.g. Gmail if you use iCloud).

4. Apps are not installed on iPhone

Some of the Google Play apps are not available in the App Store.

• 🔍 Look for similar functionality (for example, Files by Google) → Files from Apple).
• 🌐 Use web versions of services (for example, MIUI Cloud via browser).

5. There's not enough space on the iPhone.

iPhone 12 with 64GB may not hold all the data from Xiaomi.

• 🗑️ Move only the essentials (for example, photos from the last year).
• 🖥️ Use iCloud or Google Drive to store rarely used files.
• 📦 Buy an iPhone with a large amount of memory (128/256 GB).

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If after transferring to the iPhone, the sound in the videos recorded on Xiaomi disappeared, install the application VLC — It correctly reproduces files with non-standard codecs.

8 Conclusion: Which method to choose?

The choice of transfer method depends on the type of data and volume:

• 📱 For full migration (contacts, SMS, photo, post) → «Switching to iOS»**.
• 📷 Photo/video only → Google Photos or iCloud.
• 💬 For messaging. → iMazing/Backuptrans.
• 🎮 For games and applications → manual transfer through accounts.

If you have more than 50GB of data, combine methods: for example, transfer contacts through Google, photos through Send Anywhere, and messages through iMazing.

Remember that after the transfer is:

• 🔒 Set up Face ID iCloud on iPhone 12.
• 📱 Update all applications to the latest versions.
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files from Xiaomi if you sell it.

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After migrating, check your privacy settings on your iPhone: Many apps (like WhatsApp or Instagram) request additional permissions that weren’t required on Android.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions