How to transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi: a complete guide with photos and videos

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is a crucial step that requires careful preparation. The main problem users face in this case is the transfer of data without loss: contacts, photos, notes and even message history. Unlike the transition between devices of the same ecosystem (for example, iPhone → iPhone or Xiaomi → Xiaomi), the migration between iOS and Android has nuances: different file formats, manufacturers’ limitations and the lack of universal tools.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to migrate data, including official solutions from Apple and Xiaomi, third-party applications and manual methods. You will learn how to save your call history from iCloud (which cannot be done with standard means), why Move to iOS does not work backwards, and how to circumvent the restriction on porting applications between platforms. All instructions are relevant for iOS 17 and MIUI 14/15 (including Xiaomi 13/14 models, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5).

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge on both devices is at least 50%. Data transfer can take up to 2 hours.
• 📶 A stable Wi-Fi connection (for cloud-based methods) or USB-cable with data transmission support (not all charging cables are suitable!).
• 📱 Free space on Xiaomi – data from the iPhone can take up to 70% of the memory.

1.Official way: Google’s “Switch to Android” app

The most reliable method is to use Google’s “Switch to Android” utility, designed specifically for migration from iOS.

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and contact notes).
• 📷 Photos and videos (in original resolution but without Live Photos).
• 💬 Messages from iMessage (text only, no attachments).
• 📅 Calendars and events.
• 🎵 Apple Music Playlists (but not the tracks themselves!).

How to use:

1. Download the application Switch to Android from the App Store to the iPhone.
2. On Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Copy Data → With iPhone/iPad. If the phone is already configured, reset it to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Reset).
3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. On iPhone, open the app, enter the code with Xiaomi and select data to transfer.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ No apps are portable (they will have to be installed manually from Google Play).
• ❌ No Call History (Apple's Limitation).
• ❌ Live Photos are converted into static images.

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If the transfer is interrupted, repeat the process from the beginning.

2. Transfer via iCloud: for contacts, photos and notes

If you use iCloud, some of the data can be synchronized directly to Xiaomi without a computer.

• 📞 Contacts (export to vCard).
• 📷 Photos and videos (via Google Photos).
• 📝 Notes (text only, without attachments).

Instructions for the transfer of contacts:

1. On iPhone, go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and enable Contact Sync.
2. Open your browser on PC or Xiaomi, go to iCloud.com and log in.
3. Select Contacts → ⚙️ → Export vCard.
4. Send the.vcf file to Xiaomi (by mail, via Telegram or Google Drive).
5. On Xiaomi, open the file and add contacts automatically.

Porting photos via Google Photos:

1. Download Google Photos on your iPhone and turn on autoload.
2. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account – photos will appear in the gallery.

Enable contact synchronization in iCloud|Download backup to PC (optional)|Check the free space in Google Photos|Disable two-factor authentication at the time of transfer (if there are login issues)-->

3. Computer use: for full backup

If you need to migrate all the data, including apps (as far as possible), call histories and SMS, you will need a computer (Mac or Windows) and iTunes/iMazing programs.

Method 1: Through iTunes (Contacts and Media Only)

1. Connect your iPhone to your PC and open iTunes.
2. Sync contacts with Windows Contacts or Outlook.
3. Export contacts to.csv and import to Xiaomi via Google Contacts.

Method 2: Through iMazing (paid but powerful)

• 💰 Cost: ~$40 for license.
• ✅ Transferred: SMS, Call history, notes, voice messages.
• ❌ Unable to: Apps (due to the difference in iOS and Android architecture).

For transfer:

1. Install iMazing on your PC and connect your iPhone.
2. Select data for export (e.g. Messages → Export to CSV).
3. Send files to Xiaomi and import through the relevant apps (e.g. Google Messages for SMS).

4. Application portability: what can and cannot

Important: iOS apps cannot be installed directly on Android due to different formats (.ipa vs.apk).

Exceptions:

• 🎮 Some games, for example, PUBG Mobile supports cross-platform progress transfer via Facebook or Twitter.
• 📱 Apple Apps (Apple Music, Apple) TV+) available on Android, but with reduced functionality.

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Before you delete your iPhone, untie it from iCloud (Settings → [Your name] → Out), otherwise the data may be blocked.

5. Alternative methods: for experienced users

If the standard methods do not work, try:

Method 1: ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

It allows you to transfer files directly through the command line.

• 📁 Transfer of system files (for example, /data/data/ for certain applications).
• 🔄 Automation of the process through scripts.

The command for copying files:

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Photos\

Method 2: Local area network (FTP-server)

1. On Xiaomi, install FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
2. Launch it. FTP-server.
3. On your iPhone, connect to FTP via FileExplorer or Documents and copy files.

Method 3: Cloud storage (for large volumes)

• 📁 Google Drive – Up to 15 GB free.
• 📁 Mega – 20 GB free (data encryption).
• 📁 Yandex Disk – convenient for users from Russia (integration with Yandex.Mail).

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To speed up the transfer through the cloud, archive the folders with photos / videos in ZIP on the iPhone before downloading.

6.What to do after data transfer

When all the files are in place, follow these steps:

1. Check sync: Open Google Contacts, Gallery and Messages on Xiaomi – all data should be displayed.
2. Set up backup: Enable autoloading photos in Google Photos and synchronizing contacts with Google Account.
3. Remove duplicates: Use apps like Duplicate Contacts or Files by Google to clean up your memory.
4. Personalize MIUI: customize themes, gestures, and notifications to suit you in Settings → Personalization.

Typical problems and solutions:

• 🔄 Are the photos not displayed in the gallery? DCIM/Camera through any file manager.

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After the transfer, reset your network settings to Xiaomi (Settings) → SIM-maps and networks → Reset network settings if you have problems with the Internet.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer