How to transfer photos from iPhone to Xiaomi: all the ways from AirDrop to cable

The shift from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is not only about changing the ecosystem, it is also about moving personal data. Photographs are often a major headache: how to keep years of memories alive without loss of quality or metadata? The problem is compounded by Apple and Xiaomi using different data protocols, and standard solutions like AirDrop don’t work between platforms.

In this article, we will analyze 7 current ways to transfer photos - from wireless to wired, taking into account the features of iOS and other devices. MIUI. You will learn which method is the fastest, which retains original quality, and which is suitable for transferring thousands of pictures at a time. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden nuances: why some photos may not be transferred, how to avoid duplicates and what to do if Xiaomi smartphone “can’t see” the iPhone.

Before you start, check out two key points:

1. The iPhone should have enough charge (at least 30%) – interruption of the transfer can lead to the loss of some files.
2. Free Memory on Xiaomi: Photos in the Format HEIC (Apple's standard takes up 40% less space, but after converting to JPEG their size will increase.

1. Transmission via cable (Lightning) → USB-C/Type-C)

The most reliable and fastest way is to connect your smartphones directly with a cable.

• 🔌 Lightning cable → USB-C (If Xiaomi has a Type-C connector or Lightning → USB-A + adapter OTG for micro-USB.
• 📱 Xiaomi with support OTG (Check the characteristics of the model).
• 🔋 Charging at least 50% on both devices.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect iPhone to Xiaomi cable. Xiaomi will be notified "USB-plug-in".
2. Select File Transfer (or File Transfer in English firmware).
3. Open the Files app on Xiaomi → "USB-accumulator" → "Internal Storage" → "DCIM".
4. Copy the folders with photos (usually) 100APPLE, 101APPLE etc.) in memory of Xiaomi.

The important thing is that the iPhone, by default, blocks access to the file system through the cable.

1. On the iPhone, unlock the screen and confirm trust in the connected device (a pop-up will appear).
2. If the window does not appear, disconnect and connect the cable again.

Download the original Lightning cable (not a cheap fake)

Check the support OTG on Xiaomi in settings (Settings) → Connections → OTG)

Turn off the screen lock on both devices

Close the background applications (especially messengers)

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⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi does not have a connection notification, update the firmware MIUI Up to the latest version. In older versions (below) MIUI 12) there was an error with the recognition of the iPhone as a drive.

2. Wireless transmission over Wi-Fi (app "Transfer files")

Xiaomi offers its own wireless sharing solution, the File Transfer app (formerly Mi Mover), which runs on Wi-Fi Direct and does not require an Internet connection, and has a transfer speed of 10-15 MB/s (depending on the smartphone model).

How to use:

1. Install the app "Send Files to" on iPhone TV" (Available in the App Store – it’s an analogue for iOS.
2. On Xiaomi, open "Transfer Files" → "I get it".
3. On iPhone, select "Send" → "Photo Photo" → tag the pictures you want.
4. Confirm the connection on both devices (will appear) QR-code PIN).

Pros of the method:

• 📶 No need for cable or internet.
• 🔒 Metadata is stored (date of shooting, geotagged).
• 📁 You can transfer whole folders.

Cons:

• ⚠️ On the iPhone you need to install third-party software.
• 🐢 Speed is lower than cable (about 50-100 photos per minute).
• 🔋 Strongly puts the battery on both devices.

💡

If the transmission is interrupted, try to reduce the number of photos in one shipment, optimally in packs of 200 to 300 pieces.

3. Cloud services: Google Photos vs Mi Cloud

Cloud storage is a universal way, but with nuances.

Instructions for Google Photos:

1. On your iPhone, set up Google Photos and log in to your account.
2. Enable autosynchronization: "Photos" → "Settings" → "Backup and synchronization".
3. On Xiaomi, install the same app, log in to the same account and wait for sync.
4. Download photos: "Library" → highlight the pictures → "Exports".

⚠️ Note: If you select “High Quality” in Google Photos, photos are compressed to 16 MP resolution. To maintain original quality, choose “Original Quality” (but it takes up space in the cloud).

Mi Cloud Automatically Converts Photos to Format JPEG, Even if they were on the iPhone, HEIC. This can lead to loss of quality when editing multiple times.

4.Use of AirDrop + third-party

AirDrop is Apple's proprietary technology, but with workarounds, it can be adapted for Xiaomi.

Method 1: Through a Mac or MacBook

1. Turn on AirDrop on iPhone (swipe up for Control Point) → hold the network block → activate AirDrop → Choose "For all").
2. Send the photos to the Mac.
3. Connect Xiaomi to your Mac via cable and transfer files via Android File Transfer.

Method 2: Apps similar to AirDrop

• 📱 Snapdrop (works through the browser, does not require installation).
• 🔗 LocalSend (open source, encryption).
• 🚀 Feem (paid version with no speed limits).

The example from Snapdrop:

1. Open snapdrop.net on both devices in your browser.
2. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network.
3. On iPhone, select photos and click "Send" → "Snapdrop".
4. On Xiaomi, confirm the file acceptance.

5. Computer transmission (Windows/macOS)

If you have a PC, this is the method that gives you maximum control over the process.

• 🖥️ You can sort photos before the penos.
• 🔍 It is easy to verify the integrity of files.
• 📂 All formats are supported (HEIC, JPEG, RAW).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect your iPhone to your PC and unlock it. Open "This computer" in the explorer" → "Apple iPhone" → "Internal Storage" → "DCIM".
2. Copy the folders with photos to the desktop.
3. Connect Xiaomi (in File Transfer mode) and transfer the photos to the Pictures folder or "DCIM/Camera".

For macOS:

1. Import photos through Photos (opens automatically when you connect your iPhone).
2. Connect Xiaomi and use Android File Transfer to transfer.

⚠️ Attention: On Windows 10/11 Maybe the folder won't show up. DCIM on iPhone, unless iTunes or Apple Mobile Device Support drivers are installed. download them from Apple's official website.

6. Messengers and social networks (Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp)

Suitable for transferring a small number of photos (up to 50-100 pieces).

• 📌 Telegram – no size restrictions (up to 2 GB per file), retains original quality.
• 💬 Viber – Minimum compression, but 200MB limit per file.
• 📱 WhatsApp – Strong compression, not suitable for professional photos.

How to transfer via Telegram:

1. Create a personal chat "Saved messages".
2. Send photos from the iPhone (you can pack 10-20 pieces).
3. Open the same chat on Xiaomi, click on the photo → "Save it to the gallery".

Limitations:

• ⏳ Slowly with a lot of photos.
• 📅 Metadata (date, geotags) is lost.
• 🔢 WhatsApp and Viber photos are compressed to 1280px long-sided.

💡

Telegram is the only messenger that keeps EXIF-Photo data (camera information, shooting settings and geolocation) when transferring.

7 Specialized applications (SHAREit, Xender, Send Anywhere)

File sharing apps are often touted as a one-stop solution, but they have pitfalls.-3:

Send Anywhere is the most reliable option, and it generates a 6-digit code for the connection, which excludes the connection of unauthorized devices.

1. Install the app on both smartphones.
2. On iPhone, select "Send" → "Photo Photo" → tag files.
3. Click "Generation of the Key" (there will be 6 digits).
4. On Xiaomi, enter this key in the "Get" field.

⚠️ Note: Applications like SHAREit and Xender often request access to contacts, location, and storage.

FAQ: Frequent Questions and Problems