How to transfer photos from Xiaomi to iPhone: all working ways in 2026

Moving from Xiaomi to iPhone is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also about migrating personal data, which is the number one priority for photos. Users often face problems: files lose quality, transfer is interrupted, or iOS refuses to accept files due to different formats. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer photos, including cloud services, direct transmission by cable, and even methods for those who do not have a computer.

The peculiarity of the port between Android (which runs Xiaomi) and iOS is that Apple uses a closed file system, and Xiaomi’s MIUI sometimes blocks access to folders through standard protocols. We took these nuances into account and prepared instructions that work even for iPhone 15 Pro and Xiaomi 14 Ultra models with the latest software updates.

1. Transfer photos through cloud services: Google Photos vs iCloud

The most versatile method is cloud storage, which is suitable if you have a stable Internet and enough space in the cloud. Consider two options: Google Photos (free up to 15 GB) and iCloud (5 GB free, but optimized for Apple).

For Google Photos:

• 📱 Install the app on Xiaomi and sign in to your Google account.
• 🔄 Enable autoboot in Settings → Backup and synchronization.
• 📲 On iPhone, download Google Photos from the App Store and log in to the same account.
• ⬇️ Select a photo and click "Save to the device».

For iCloud:

• 🌐 On Xiaomi, open your browser and go to iCloud.com (you may need a desktop version of the site in the browser menu).
• 📁 Upload the photo manually through the photo section».
• 📱 On the iPhone photos will automatically appear in the application “Photos».

⚠️ Note: When downloading via iCloud from Xiaomi files.HEIC (Apple formats may not open. Convert them to.JPG pre-apps like HEIC to JPG Converter.

2. Direct transmission via cable: Lightning → USB-C or adapter

If you don't have access to the Internet or too many photos (hundreds of gigabytes), direct cable transfer is the fastest solution.

• ⚡ Lightning cable → USB-C (iPhone older than 15th model or Lightning → USB-A + adapter USB-A → USB-C (old-fashioned).
• 💻 Computer with Windows or Mac (required!).
• 📂 iTunes (for Windows) or Photos (for Mac).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB-C and select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain.
2. Copy photos from the DCIM → Camera folder to your computer.
3. Connect your iPhone and open iTunes (Windows) or Photos (Mac).
4. On iTunes, go to Files → Sync photos and specify the folder with the photo. On a Mac, just drag and drop the files into the Photos app.

1. Check the compatibility of cables (Lightning/USB-C)

2. Update iTunes to the latest version

3.Unlock both phones before connecting

4. Turn off Charging Only mode on Xiaomi

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⚠️ Warning: On Windows 11, iTunes may not recognize iPhones because of drivers.Install Apple Mobile Device Support manually from Apple's official website.

3 Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi: Mi Drop and AirDrop

If you don't have cables on hand and the Internet is slow, you can use a local Wi-Fi network. Xiaomi has a built-in Mi Drop app for this, and Apple has AirDrop. Unfortunately, these services are not directly compatible, but there is a workaround.

The way through Mi Drop:

• 📲 Install Xender or Send Anywhere on iPhone (free from the App Store).
• 🔗 On Xiaomi, open Mi Drop, select a photo and click "Send." QR-code.
• 📱 Scan it. QR-code from iPhone via Xender and confirm the transfer.

The speed of transmission depends on the power of the router. On average, 1 GB of photo is transmitted in 5-10 minutes.

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If Mi Drop doesn’t see an iPhone, turn on Modem Modem on both devices (for at least 10 seconds), then turn off.This will reset network settings and often solves the detection problem.

4.Use of third-party apps: Send Anywhere and Snapdrop

If the standard methods don't work, universal file transfer applications come to the rescue, and we tested two of the most reliable ones:

Instructions for Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On Xiaomi, select a photo and click "Send." A 6-digit code is generated.
3. On iPhone, type this code in the “Get” field.
4. Confirm the transmission on both devices.

⚠️ Note: SHAREit often requests access to contacts and location.If privacy is important, use Snapdrop (works through a browser without installation).

5. Transfer over a computer without iTunes: alternative programs

If iTunes seems complicated or doesn’t work, there are simpler programs to manage files on your iPhone:

• 🖥️ iMazing (paid, but with trial-version) - allows you to transfer photos without synchronization.
• 📁 AnyTrans – supports batch download and format conversion.
• 🔄 WALTR 2 – Automatically converts.HEIC into.JPG transferable.

Example from iMazing:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open the program.
2. Go to Photos and click Import from Folder.
3. Select the folder with the photo from Xiaomi and confirm the import.

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Programs like iMazing and AnyTrans bypass the limitations of iTunes, allowing you to transfer files directly to the iPhone gallery without syncing with the cloud.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are some of the most common solutions.

• 🚫 iPhone doesn’t see Xiaomi via cable: Check if screen is unlocked on Xiaomi and file transfer mode is enabled (MTP). The iPhone will be notified “Trust this computer.
• 🔄 Photos are transferred but not displayed in the gallery: Reboot your iPhone or check the recently deleted folder in the Photos app».
• 📉 Photo quality has deteriorated: This happens when using instant messengers (e.g. Telegram compresses a photo) and transfer the originals over a cable or cloud.
• ⚡ Transfer interrupts: Turn off battery saving mode on both phones and make sure there's enough space on your iPhone.

If.HEIC photos don’t open on Xiaomi, use the HEIC Converter app from Google Play to convert to.JPG before the perenos.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions