How to transfer data from Xiaomi to iPhone: all ways in 2026

The transition from Xiaomi to iPhone is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also the need to transfer all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and even apps. Many users fear this process, considering it difficult or risky. In fact, Apple and Xiaomi offer several convenient tools for migration, and we will discuss each of them in detail, from the official Move to iOS app to manual methods through the cloud services.

In this article you will find the latest instructions for iOS. 17 and MIUI 14/15, Importantly, some of the ways require pre-preparedness, like freeing up space on your iPhone or disabling two-factor authentication in Mi Account, and we'll give you all the nuances to make sure that the transfer is error-free.

If you’ve already started setting up your new iPhone, don’t miss the steps – some data (like call history) can only be transferred when the device is first activated.

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1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do on Xiaomi and iPhone

Before you start migrating, you need to take a few critical steps, and if you skip them, you risk losing data or encountering errors during the transfer process, start by checking that your devices are compatible:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Make sure that Xiaomi is installed MIUI 12 or later. Older versions may not support Move to iOS.
• 🍎 iOS Version: iPhone should be iOS 15 or higher. Check in Settings → Mainstream → About this device.
• 🔋 Battery charge: Both devices must be charged at least 50% - the process can take up to 1 hour.
• 📶 Wi-Fi network: Connect both phones to the same 2.4GHz network (5GHz may not work). VPN.

Xiaomi is also recommended to:

1. Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Move to iOS (if already installed).
2. Disable Battery Optimization for Move to iOS in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
3. Delete unnecessary files to free up space – the transfer can be interrupted if the iPhone does not have enough memory.

⚠️ Note: If the application protection function is enabled on Xiaomi (in Settings) → Privacy, turn it off temporarily. It can block data transmission via Move to iOS.

On iPhone, reset to factory settings before transfer (if the device has already been used). → Mainstream → Removing or resetting iPhone → Delete content and settings. This is the only way to activate the data port mode at the first setup, which is necessary for the operation of Move to iOS.

Release 2+ GB of memory on Xiaomi|Shut down. VPN firewalls|Connect to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi|Charge both devices >50%|Remove the old version of Move to iOS (if any)

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Method 2: Move to iOS (official decision from Apple)

Move to iOS is an app from Apple that allows you to transfer most of your data from Android (including Xiaomi) to your iPhone during its first setup.

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and avatars)
• 💬 Communications (SMS/MMS, But not messenger messages)
• 📷 Photos and videos (without Mi Gallery albums)
• 📅 Calendars and events
• 📍 Browser tab (only from Chrome)
• 🎵 Music and books (if not protected) DRM)

Step-by-step:

1. On your iPhone, start the initial setup. On the Apps and Data screen, select Move Data from Android.
2. On Xiaomi, install Move to iOS from Google Play and open it. Accept the Terms of Use.
3. On the iPhone will appear code of 6-10 digits – enter it on Xiaomi.
4. Select the data to transfer (you can mark everything) and wait until it's done. Don't interrupt the connection!
5. When completed, the iPhone will prompt you to complete the setup. Follow the instructions on the screen.

The speed of the transfer depends on the amount of data:

⚠️ Warning: If the transfer is interrupted during the "Minutes Only" phase, don't panic. Restart Move to iOS on Xiaomi and try again. Most often, the problem is solved the second time.

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If Move to iOS doesn’t see the iPhone, check that Xiaomi has power saving disabled and developer mode turned on. → Debugging by USB (Not necessarily, but it helps in 30% of cases).

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Method 2: Transfer over cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, iCloud)

If Move to iOS didn’t work or you want to migrate data selectively, cloud services are a good alternative, and the main advantage is that you can transfer it after you set up your iPhone, not just during the first activation.

Option 1: Through Google Account (Contacts, Calendars, Mail)

• 📱 On Xiaomi go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google and enable sync for Contacts, Calendar and Gmail.
• 🍎 On iPhone, add the same Google account to Settings → Post → Accounts. → Add an account.
• 🔄 Turn on sync – the data will appear in standard iPhone apps (Contacts, Calendar).

Option 2: Through Mi Cloud (photos, notes, recordings)

• 📱 On Xiaomi, upload data to Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
• 🖥️ From your computer, go to i.mi.com, download files and upload them to iCloud Drive or Google Drive.
• 🍎 On iPhone, download files from the cloud to the appropriate applications.

Option 3: Through iCloud (for photos and videos)

1. Download the iCloud app from Google Play on Xiaomi.
2. Sign up for your Apple. ID and turn on the photo. → Upload photos.
3. Wait until the download is complete (may take a few hours).
4. On iPhone, check that the photos appear in the Photos app.

⚠️ Attention: Cloud services have free storage limits: Google Drive: 15 GB (common for mail, disk and photos). Mi Cloud: 5 GB (can be expanded to 100 GB for 99₽/iCloud: 5GB (extra 50GB costs 59)₽/If you have a lot of data, consider using a cable (mode 4).

Google Drive|Mi Cloud|iCloud|Yandex Disk|Other|I don't use clouds.

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Method 3: Cable Transfer (for large data volumes)

If you have tens of gigabytes of photos, videos or music, it can take too long to transfer over Wi-Fi or the cloud, and a direct cable connection using a Lightning-to-USB adapter (or USB-C-to-USB for new iPhones) will help.

What you need:

• 🔌 USB-Type-C Cable (for Xiaomi) and Lightning-to-USB adapter (or USB-C-to-USB-C for iPhone) 15/16).
• 💻 File transfer software: iMazing, AnyTrans or Syncios (paid, but with trial version).
• 🔋 Charger – Connect your iPhone to the network during the transfer.

Step-by-step instructions on the example of iMazing:

1. Install iMazing on your computer (Windows/macOS) and connect Xiaomi through USB.
2. Enable the file transfer mode on Xiaomi (MTP) notice-curtain.
3. In iMazing, select Device → Data portability from Android.
4. Connect your iPhone to your computer and follow the instructions.
5. Select data for transfer (contacts, messages, media files) and wait for completion.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Speed: up to 50MB/s (10 times faster than Wi-Fi).
• 📦 Support for all types of files, including music and documents.
• 🔄 The ability to transfer data after setting up the iPhone.

Disadvantages:

• 💰 Most of the programs are paid (from 30)$ license).
• 🖥️ Computer required (Windows/macOS).

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5. Transfer of messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

The standard methods (Move to iOS or cloud) do not transfer correspondence from messengers.

WhatsApp:

• 📱 On Xiaomi, create a backup: WhatsApp settings → chat → Backup copy.
• 🍎 Install WhatsApp on your iPhone and log in with the same number.
• 🔄 When you request, restore your chats from Google Drive (if the copy is fresh).

Telegram:

• 📱 On Xiaomi, export chats: Settings → Additionally. → Chat data export.
• 📧 Send the file to yourself by email or upload it to the cloud.
• 🍎 On iPhone, import the file through Telegram Settings → Additionally. → Data import.

Viber:

• 📱 On Xiaomi, create a backup: More → Settings → Account. → Backup copy.
• 🍎 Install Viber on iPhone, log in and restore chats from copy.

⚠️ Note: WhatsApp only transfers text messages and media files. Call history, stickers and group settings are not saved when you switch from Android to iOS.

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To transfer messages from instant messengers, always use the official tools of the applications themselves. Third-party programs (for example, Backuptrans) can violate the encryption of chats in the app. WhatsApp/Telegram.

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6. Transfer of applications and game data

Unfortunately, it is not possible to directly transfer installed applications from Xiaomi to iPhone – Android and iOS have different file formats (.apk vs.ipa).

• 📲 Make a list of applications on Xiaomi (in Settings) → Apps) and install their analogues from the App Store.
• 🎮 Move game saves through Google Play Games or Game Center accounts (if the game supports cross-platform playback).
• 💳 Link the same payment methods (e.g. Apple Pay instead of Mi Pay).

How to make progress in the game:

1. Make sure the game supports synchronization between platforms (e.g. Genshin Impact, Clash of Clans).
2. On Xiaomi, link your game account to Google, Facebook or Game Center.
3. On your iPhone, install the game, log in through the same account and download saves.

Popular apps and their analogues on iOS:

What can't be transferred:

• 🚫 System Applications (Mi Music, Mi Video).
• 🚫 Themes and wallpapers from Mi Theme Store.
• 🚫 Local application files (cache, temporary data).

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7.Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and we've collected some of the most common errors and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Move to iOS doesn’t see the iPhone

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (e.g., share the internet with Xiaomi).
• 🛠️ On Xiaomi, turn on Developer Mode → Debugging by USB.

Problem 2: Transfer is interrupted by 99%

• 📴 Disable the Xiaomi function Adaptive battery in the battery settings.
• 🔌 Connect both devices to charging.
• 📡 Try to transfer data in parts (for example, first contacts, then photos).

Problem 3: Mi Gallery photos are not transferred

• 🖼️ Check that the photo is not hidden in the Mi Gallery → Albums. → Hidden.
• 📁 Move your photo to a separate folder on Xiaomi and try again.
• 🌥️ Use Google Photos to backup and restore.

Problem 4: iPhones don’t display contacts

• 🔍 Check what is in the iPhone settings → Contacts → Accounts enabled sync with Google or iCloud.
• 🔄 Reboot your iPhone and wait until sync is complete (may take up to 10 minutes).

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If Move to iOS gives you an error “Impossible to connect to the device”, try to disable the firewall on Xiaomi in Settings → Annexes → Application management → firewall.

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8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions