How to Transfer WhatsApp Data from iPhone to Xiaomi: The Complete 2026 Guide

Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is not only a change in the ecosystem, but also the need to transfer important data. Especially acute question with WhatsApp: years of correspondence, photos, documents and voice messages can not just leave on the old device. Unfortunately, direct transfer between iOS and Android through the cloud does not work — messenger does not support cross-platform synchronization. But that does not mean that the task is impossible!

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer data, including official and alternative solutions. You will learn how to save not only text messages, but also media files in their original quality (without compression, as with backup in iCloud), as well as avoid the typical errors that cause users to lose years of correspondence. Special attention will be paid to the nuances for different Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi). 13T) version MIUI.

Spoiler: The most reliable method is to use third-party tools like Dr.Fone or Backuptrans, but it's paid. If you're looking for a free solution, get ready to manually handle backup files. Now get to work!

1.Preparation for transfer: what to do before the beginning

Before you rush into battle, make sure you follow all the preliminary steps.Shipping them can result in data loss or the inability to restore chats on a new device.

First, check the WhatsApp version on both devices. iPhone should be at least 2.21.160, and Xiaomi should be at least 2.21.15.15. Older versions do not support modern backup formats. Update the messenger via the App Store or Google Play, if required.

Update WhatsApp on iPhone and Xiaomi|Release. 2-3 GB of memory on Xiaomi|Connect both devices to charging|Record the phone number associated with the account-->

Second, make room for Xiaomi.A backup from an iPhone can weigh a few gigabytes (especially if you have a lot of media files). SD-The card (if supported) has a minimum 2-3 GB of free space.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with a MediaTek chip (e.g. Redmi) 10A POCO M4 Pro), disable the function MIUI Optimization in developer settings. It can block access to backup files.

Third, prepare the cable for the data transfer. For methods using the PC will require the original Lightning cable for the iPhone and the iPhone. USB-C/Type-C If you plan to transfer data directly over Wi-Fi, make sure that both devices are connected to the same network (preferably to a router, not a mobile access point).

2.Official method: transfer via “Share chats” (only for new accounts)

Since 2022, WhatsApp has added a feature called “Move Chats to Android” that allows you to transfer your story from your iPhone to Android, but this method has critical limitations:

• 🔹 It only works when you first launch WhatsApp on Xiaomi (if your account is already activated, it won’t work).
• 🔹 Requires iOS 15.5+ Android 10+ (on MIUI 12.5 and no newer problems).
• 🔹 Transfers only text messages and media, but not backups of settings or stickers.
• 🔹 You need to use the original Apple cable (uncertified cables may not work).

If the conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. Connect your iPhone to Xiaomi via cable.
2. On Xiaomi, launch WhatsApp and confirm your phone number (should match the number on your iPhone).
3. When the screen Transfer chats from iPhone, click Start.
4. The iPhone will open a browser offering to download the tool Move to iOS (yes, despite the name, it works in the opposite direction).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen. The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of data.

⚠️ Note: If WhatsApp has already been activated on Xiaomi, this method will not work. You will have to delete your account and start over, but this will lead to the loss of all new messages received after activation.

Official "Transfer chats"|Manual transfer via backup|Third-party programs (Dr.Fone, Backuptrans)|I haven't moved the data yet.|Another way.-->

3. Manual transfer via iCloud backup (free but difficult)

This is a good method if you don’t want to use paid tools, but you’re willing to spend time on handmade work, and the point is to download a backup from iCloud, convert it to a format readable on Android, and upload it to Xiaomi.

This will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with macOS or Windows (Windows requires iTunes installed).
• 📱 Access iCloud Drive (check that WhatsApp backup is there).
• 📂 A program to extract data from a backup (e.g., iMazing or iExplorer).

Step-by-step:

1. On iPhone, create a fresh WhatsApp backup: WhatsApp Settings → chat → Backup → Make sure the copy is saved to iCloud.
2. Download and install iMazing (there is a free trial version).
3. Connect your iPhone to your PC and in iMazing, select Manage Backups → WhatsApp.
4. Export chats in.zip format (this may take time if the story is big).
5. Copy the resulting archive on Xiaomi (for example, through the USB-cable or Google Drive).
6. On Xiaomi, install WhatsApp, confirm the number and at the recovery stage, select Restore from a local copy, indicating the path to the downloaded archive.

The main disadvantage of this method is that WhatsApp on Android does not support direct import from iCloud. You have to convert data manually, which can be fraught with errors, for example, if you have files with Cyrillic names in the archive, they may not recover.

4. Transfer by using third-party programs (Dr.Fone, Backuptrans)

If the official methods don't work, or you don't want to mess with manual settings, paid utilities will come to the rescue, they automate the process, but require installation on a PC. Consider two of the most reliable programs: Dr.Fone, WhatsApp Transfer and Backuptrans WhatsApp Transfer.

Comparison of programmes:

Instructions for Dr.Fone (similar to Backuptrans):

1. Download and install the program on PC (official site).
2. Connect your iPhone and Xiaomi to your computer via USB.
3. In the main menu, select WhatsApp Transfer → Transfer WhatsApp messages.
4. Specify the direction of transfer: iPhone → Android.
5. Wait until the process is complete (don’t turn off the devices!).
6. On Xiaomi, restart WhatsApp – the data should appear.

💡

If the program does not see your Xiaomi, turn on Developer Mode and activate Debugging. USB. To do this, click on the Assembly Number 7 times in Settings → The phone.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔹 Transfers the entire story, including voices, stickers and chat settings.
• 🔹 It works even if WhatsApp on Xiaomi is already activated.
• 🔹 Supports MIUI 14 and newer (unlike the official method).

Disadvantages:

• 💰 Paid (but there is a trial version with a limited amount of data).
• 🖥️ Requires a computer (you can’t transfer directly between phones).

5. Move over Google Drive (partial solution)

Many users try to migrate WhatsApp over Google Drive, but it only works in one direction, from Android to Android. However, there is a workaround: first transfer data from the iPhone to an intermediate Android device, and then to Xiaomi. It is difficult, but possible.

Algorithm of action:

1. Find an Android device (you can ask a friend or use an old smartphone).
2. On your iPhone, back up WhatsApp in iCloud.
3. Use one of the methods above (like Dr.Fone) to transfer data from your iPhone to an intermediate Android.
4. On intermediate Android, back up to Google Drive: WhatsApp Settings → chat → Backup → Save.
5. Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi, confirm the same number and recover data from Google Drive.

⚠️ Note: This method only works if you have access to an Android device intermediate, and also if you have dual port (iPhone) → Android → Xiaomi may lose some media files due to compression.

If you don't have a second Android smartphone, that's not the way to go, but you'd better use Dr.Fone or manually port it over iCloud.

6. Computer-free transfer: via email or Telegram

If you don’t have access to a PC but need to migrate individual chats (not the entire story), you can take advantage of the built-in WhatsApp features.

Method 1: Exporting chat by email

1. Open the desired chat on the iPhone.
2. Click on the contact name → Export chat.
3. Select No Media (to make the file smaller) or Enable Media.
4. Send the archive to your email (e.g. Gmail).
5. On Xiaomi, download the file and import it to WhatsApp (unfortunately, this will create a new chat instead of restoring the old one).

Method 2: Transfer via Telegram

• 📌 Install Telegram on both devices.
• 📤 On iPhone, export chat in.txt format and send the file to yourself in Telegram.
• 📥 On Xiaomi, download a file and manually copy important messages to WhatsApp.

These methods are only suitable for selectively transferring small pieces of correspondence, and they are ineffective for full migration.

7.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge on both devices (should be) >50%).
• 📶 Internet connection stability (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 📂 File access rights on Xiaomi (in Settings) → Annexes → WhatsApp → Rights must be included Warehouse and Contacts).

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If you use Xiaomi with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A POCO X3), Before transferring, disable the function MIUI Optimization in the developer settings. It can block access to system folders.

8. Alternative messengers: is it worth switching?

If WhatsApp porting seems too complicated, it might be worth considering alternatives: Telegram or Signal, for example, offer more flexible migration options:

• 🔹 Telegram: ✅ Export of.json chats (you can transfer the whole history). ✅ Cloud storage without volume restrictions. ❌ No automatic transfer of media files (manually required).
• 🔹 Signal: ✅ Support for transfer between platforms via backup. ✅ Encrypting data out of the box". ❌ Fewer users than WhatsApp.

If you’re trying to make portability a critical choice, Telegram will be the best choice, but if all your contacts use WhatsApp, switching to another messenger can be inconvenient.

Yes, I'll move the data and continue to use it.|No, I'll switch to Telegram/Signal|Not yet.|I'm using both messengers.-->

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions