How to transfer data from iPhone to Xiaomi: a complete guide with instructions and life hacks

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi is not just a smartphone change, but a transition between two fundamentally different ecosystems: iOS and the like. MIUI. Many users fear this move because of the risk of data loss, format incompatibility or complexity with authorization in services, but in practice, the transfer process can be made quick and painless if you know the key nuances.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways to migrate data, from official Xiaomi tools to workarounds for specific files (such as notes or call histories), learn how to migrate not only standard contacts and photos, but also saves from games, passwords from Wi-Fi, and configure synchronization between devices for the future.

All instructions are relevant to the iPhone on iOS 15-17 and Xiaomi smartphones on the iPhone MIUI 13–14, including Redmi models, POCO If your device is older, check compatibility in the table below.

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

Before you start migrating, you need to prepare your iPhone, which will save time and prevent data loss.

• 📱 Update iOS to the latest version: Some export features (like Android Transfer) require up-to-date firmware.
• 🔌 Charge both devices to at least 50%: the process can take up to 2 hours with a large amount of data.
• 📡 Connect to Wi-Fi: A stable connection will be required to transfer files over the air (mobile internet will not work).
• 🔒 Turn off iMessage: Go to Settings → Messages and deactivate the option, otherwise SMS may be duplicated.

It's critical to back up your data to iCloud or iTunes, and even if you plan to transfer data directly, the backup will be a safety net in case of a crash.

1. Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi.
2. Go to Settings. → [Your name] → iCloud → Backup.
3. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Note: If Apple’s two-factor authentication is enabled on the iPhone ID, After the transfer, you will need a temporary code to log in to new devices.

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Use iMazing or AnyTrans to create a local backup on your computer – these programs allow you to selectively export data (for example, only notes or voice recordings), which standard iTunes does not know.

2.Official way: Google’s “Move to Android” app

The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi uses is the application "Move to Android"** (Copy My Data for older versions), which allows you to transfer:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and contact notes)
• 📷 Photo and video (in original resolution)
• 🎵 Music and podcasts (without) DRM-defense)
• 📅 Calendars and events
• 📱 Wi-Fi settings (network passwords)

Step-by-step:

1. Download the app “Move to Android”** from the App Store on iPhone.
2. On Xiaomi, select Data Import when you first turn on → With iPhone. If your smartphone is already configured, go to Settings. → Memory. → Data portability.
3. On your iPhone, open the app, accept the terms and select Next.
4. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network or use a direct connection (generated) QR-code).
5. Xiaomi will have a list of data to transfer – mark the desired items and click Transfer.

The speed of transmission depends on the amount of data:

⚠️ Warning: If the transfer is interrupted, do not turn off the devices or restart them. Repeat the process from the beginning - the application will resume transfer from the last successful point.

3. Alternative methods: cloud services and cables

If the official application does not work (for example, due to a connection error), use alternative methods:

3.1. Transfer via Google Drive

Suitable for contacts, calendars, photos and documents.

1. On your iPhone, install Google Drive and log in.
2. Go to the menu → Settings → Backup.
3. Select export data (such as Contacts or Photos) and click Create a copy.
4. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and sync data to Settings → Accounts.

Cable transfer (OTG or Lightning-to-USB)

This method will require a Lightning-to-USB-C adapter (or OTG-Cable and file manager on Xiaomi (e.g. Mi File Manager:

• 🔌 Connect iPhone to Xiaomi via adapter.
• 📂 On iPhone in the Files menu, select folders to export (e.g, DCIM photo).
• 📥 On Xiaomi, open the file manager and copy files to internal memory.

This method is suitable for photos, videos and documents, but does not tolerate contact or message.

Connect the Lightning-to-USB-C adapter

Unlock both devices

Enable file transfer mode on iPhone

Check the free space on Xiaomi-->

3.3. Transfer via computer (iTunes) + Mi PC Suite)

If you have a Mac or PC, Use a combination of iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later) and Mi PC Suite:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and back up your iTunes.
2. Install Mi PC Suite from the official Xiaomi website.
3. Connect Xiaomi and select Restore from backup (the feature supports only contacts and media files).

⚠️ Attention: Mi PC Suite does not recognize iCloud backups, only local iTunes files. Use iMazing to extract data from iCloud.

4. Transfer of specific data: messages, notes, passwords

Some types of data require a separate approach:

4.1. Communications (SMS/iMessage)

Apple does not provide tools for exporting iMessage in a readable format.

• 📱 Screenshots: Take pictures of important correspondence and transfer them as a photo.
• 📧 Export via email: in iMessage click on the message → More. → Send it and send it to your mail.
• 💻 Third-party programs: iMazing or Decipher TextMessage export SMS csv or.pdf.

Notes (Apple Notes)

You can transfer notes via iCloud.com:

1. Go to iCloud.com from your computer.
2. Open Notes and manually copy the text to Google Keep or Mi Notes.
3. Or export notes to.pdf via print menu (Cmd)+P → Save how PDF).

Passwords and keys

Xiaomi does not support importing passwords from iCloud Keychain.

• 🔑 Manual Entering: Transfer critical passwords (such as from banks) manually to Google Password Manager.
• 🌐 Third-party managers: export passwords from iCloud to 1Password or Bitwarden through Settings → Passwords. → Password export (Face unlock required) ID).

5. Xiaomi setup after the transfer: what to do

After the data migration, you need to optimize the work of Xiaomi:

• 🔄 Sync accounts: Add Google, Mi Account and other services to Settings → Accounts.
• 📶 Set up a mobile network: check it out APN for your operator in the settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
• 🔋 Optimize the battery: disable background activity of unnecessary applications in Settings → Battery.
• 🛡️ Update. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.

Pay special attention to the permissions of the applications: on Android, they are requested separately for the camera, microphone, location. → Annexes → Permits and configure access for each application.

If photos are not displayed correctly after transfer (for example, turned or with distorted colors), install the Google Photos app and turn on the option Save originals. HEIC (The standard photo format on the iPhone, which not all Android devices support out of the box»).

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After the transfer, check the settings of the Autoboot in MIUI — By default, many applications run automatically, which reduces battery life. disable autoboot for unnecessary programs in Settings → Battery → Autoboot.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with proper transfer, there can be difficulties. Consider typical scenarios:

If after the transfer Xiaomi began to slow down, follow the following steps:

1. Reset the device.
2. Clean the cache in Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
3. Turn off animation in Settings → Special facilities → Delete the animations.

⚠️ Note: If you have been moving data through Google Drive and notice that calendars are duplicated, turn off Apple Calendar sync in your Google account. Go to calendar.google.com, delete duplicates, and leave only the main calendar.

7. Comparison of methods of transfer: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on the type of data, volume and skills of the user. Below is a comparison table:

For 90% of users, the best solution is a combination of:

1. “Move to Android”** for basic data (contacts, photos, Wi-Fi).
2. Google Drive for backup calendars and documents.
3. Manual transfer for messages and notes.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions