Changing the ecosystem from iOS to Android, particularly Xiaomi devices, often puts users in front of the first major obstacle: how quickly and without loss to move the accumulated media library? the process of migration of data can seem difficult due to the differences in file systems and the closedness of Apple, but modern technology offers many solutions to this problem.
In this article, we'll look at all the current ways, from the use of standard tools to third-party applications that allow you to transfer photos in minutes. You don't need to be an IT expert to successfully complete the transfer, just follow the step-by-step instructions. We'll focus on both wireless methods and wired solutions for those who value maximum speed and reliability.
Using the Mi Mover app for migration
The most effective and official way to transfer data between smartphones is the Mi Mover utility, developed specifically for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. This application creates a direct connection between the old iPhone and the new Android smartphone, bypassing the Internet channel, which ensures high transfer speed. To start, you need to install the application on both devices: on Xiaomi it is often preinstalled in the Tools folder, and on the iPhone it can be downloaded from the App Store.
Once you start the program, you have to select the "I'm the recipient" role on the new phone, and the "I'm the sender" role on the iPhone, and the devices will find each other via Wi-Fi Direct, and then you will need to scan. QR-In the data selection menu, check the "Images" and "Video" boxes, after which the process of copying files to internal memory will begin.
- 📱 Install Mi Mover on iPhone from the official app store.
- 🔗 Connect both smartphones to the same Wi-Fi network or use an access point.
- ✅ Allow access to the media library on the iPhone at the first launch.
☑️ Check before launching the Mi Mover
Importantly, when carrying large amounts of data (over 10-20GB), the process can take a considerable time, so it's best to leave phones alone and not switch between apps.Mi Mover keeps the album structure and metadata, making this method the preferred method for most users.
Transfer through Google Photos and iCloud cloud services
Cloud technology allows you to synchronize the media library without physically connecting devices, which is especially convenient if the old iPhone is already sold or unavailable. Google Photos is the standard for Android and offers unlimited (compressed) or extended storage for originals. Just install the application on the iPhone, log into your Google account and enable the “Supploit” function.
Once you have finished uploading all your photos to the cloud, you just need to log in to the same account on the new Xiaomi. All images will appear in the gallery automatically. The alternative is to use iCloud via the web interface on your computer: you download the photo archive and then copy them to your phone, but this method is less convenient due to the limitations of volume upload.
⚠️ Attention: Google Photos’ free rate limits storage to 15GB. If your media library is larger, you’ll need to buy extra space or choose another transfer method.
Using the cloud has its advantages, such as the ability to access photos from any device, but requires a stable and fast Internet connection, and download speed depends on the tariff of your provider, not the power of smartphones.
Wireless method: computer as an intermediary
If wireless methods seem too slow or unreliable, the classic wired method remains the “gold standard” for working with large archives. To do this, you will need a computer (Windows or macOS) and a Lightning or USB-C cable. On the iPhone, you need to confirm trust in the computer, after which the device will appear in the system as an external drive or through the iTunes program (on Windows) or Finder (on macOS).
By copying the DCIM folder from your iPhone to your computer's hard drive, you can connect the Xiaomi cable to your PC. In file transfer mode (MTP), your phone will be defined as a flash drive. Just drag and drop the photo folders into your internal memory or onto a new device's microSD card, a method that ensures that the original quality is maintained without the compression that cloud services sometimes use.
| Method | Speed. | Difficulty | Quality. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | Low. | Original |
| Google Photo | Medium | Low. | Depends on the settings. |
| PC (Cable) | Maximum | Medium | Original |
| Telegram/Email | Low. | Low. | Compressed. |
When using Windows to work with iPhone files, you may need to install drivers or Apple Devices from the Microsoft Store, without which the system may not properly display the contents of the photo folders.
Third-party applications for file transfer (Send Anywhere, SHAREit)
The Android and iOS ecosystem is rich in cross-platform applications that specialize in fast file transfer over Wi-Fi. The leaders in this niche are Send Anywhere and SHAREit. QR-The code you need to enter or scan on Xiaomi.
The main advantage of these programs is brand-independent, which works equally well on iPhone, Xiaomi, Samsung and other devices, but it is worth remembering the advertising that is often found in free versions of such applications, and the possible traffic consumption if the devices are not on the same local network.
- 🚀 Send Anywhere allows you to transfer files without registering an account.
- 📶 No Internet is required, local Wi-Fi connection is sufficient.
- 📂 Supported transfer of not only photos, but also contacts, music and documents.
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When using third-party apps, make sure that both phones are enabled with GPS (geolocation), as Android requires this to work with Wi-Fi scanning.
Problems with the HEIC format and their solution
One of the common problems with photo porting is the HEIC format, which is the default format used on iPhones to save space. Many older Android models or simple image viewers may not open such files by displaying a black screen or requiring codecs to be installed. When transferring via Mi Mover, conversion often happens automatically, but in other cases, manual intervention may be required.
To avoid compatibility issues, you can change the settings of the iPhone itself before transferring. Go to Settings → Camera → Formats and select Compatible. In this mode, new photos will be saved in the universal JPEG format. For existing photos, you can use converters or change the transmission setting when you connect to a PC.
⚠️ Warning: When changing the camera format settings, new images will take up about twice as much space in the iPhone’s memory.
If you have already moved photos in HEIC format and they do not open, install the Google Photos app or a third-party player like VLC on Xiaomi, which have built-in codecs for this format.
Gallery setup and cleaning up takes after transfer
After successfully transferring thousands of photos, the user may face chaos in the gallery: duplicates, broken chronology and hidden folders. MIUI or HyperOS system has built-in tools for ordering. In the Gallery app, go to the Albums tab and find the folder "Recently deleted" or "Hidden" to make sure that all data is in place.
To find duplicates, you can use the Cleanup feature in the security menu or third-party apps like Files by Google, which scan memory and suggest removing the same images, leaving only the best in quality, which will free up valuable space on the drive of your new Xiaomi.
Why are some photos displayed in black squares?
Regular maintenance of the media library extends the life of the device, as the crowded drive runs slower. Remember to back up important memories to an external drive or to the cloud.
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The fastest way to do a lot of data is Mi Mover, and the most reliable way to save originals is to do a wired copy through a PC.