How to transfer all data from Xiaomi to iPhone: 5 proven ways

The transition from Xiaomi to iPhone is not just a smartphone change, it’s a complete ecosystem change. Even if you’ve long dreamed of Apple, the data migration process can seem complicated: contacts, photos, messages, notes and apps are stored in different formats, and MIUI and iOS systems work on different principles. The main problem is the lack of a universal solution: what is easily transferred between two Android devices may not have an analogue in iOS.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can move data, from the official Move to iOS app to manual methods over cloud services and physical connectivity, how to save WhatsApp chat history without loss, why some contacts can be duplicated, and what to do if your iPhone can’t see your Xiaomi through cable, and what data can’t be transferred in any way and how to get around this restriction.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do on Xiaomi before you start

Before you start migrating, make sure your Xiaomi is ready for the procedure.Missing these steps can cause data loss or crashes during the transfer.

First, update the firmware. MIUI Older versions may not have critical fixes to work with Move to iOS or USB-You can check the relevance of the software in the Settings → The phone. → System Update. If you have an update, install it and restart the device.

Second, make room for both devices: Data portability requires temporary storage, especially if you use cloud services; iPhones need at least 10-15 GB free (depending on the amount of data being transferred), and Xiaomi needs at least 5 GB free to back up.

• 📱 Turn off battery optimization for applications that will be used during the transfer (for example, Move to iOS or Google Photos.
• 🔌 Prepare the original cable (preferably from Apple or certified) USB-C Cheap cables often don't support data transmission.
• 🔒 Make sure there is no Apple on the iPhone ID. If the device has already been configured, you will have to reset it to the factory settings (more about this below).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi has enabled data encryption (in Settings) → Security → Encryption, some portability techniques may not work, in which case use cloud services or temporarily disable encryption (you will need to reset your device!).

2. Method 1: Move to iOS – Apple’s Official Solution

Move to iOS is an Apple app specifically designed to transfer data from Android to iPhone. It is free and supports most Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note 5 and later), the main advantage of which is that the transfer is done directly over Wi-Fi, without intermediaries in the form of clouds or computers.

However, the method has limitations:

• ❌ No apps are portable (only their listings for the App Store).
• ❌ Some settings of system applications (for example, alarm clocks or notes from the MIUI).
• ❌ Files in format APK Data from Chinese services (e.g. WeChat).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Move to iOS from Google Play to your Xiaomi.
2. On iPhone, start the initial setup (if the device is already set up, reset it through Settings → Main → Move or Reset → Erase content and settings).
3. In the Apps and Data stage, select “Move Data from Android”.
4. On Xiaomi, open Move to iOS, accept the terms and enter the code that will appear on the iPhone.
5. Select data for transfer (contacts, messages, photos, mail, calendars) and wait for completion.

Charge both devices >50%|Power saving mode is off|Xiaomi is connected to Wi-Fi|On the iPhone there is enough free space-->

⚠️ Note: If the transfer is interrupted during the photo transfer, do not start the process again, this may lead to duplication of data. Instead, wait until the current session is over or use an alternative method (for example, Google Photos).

3. Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (contacts, calendars, mail)

If Move to iOS didn’t work or you want to migrate only certain types of data, Google Account will be a universal solution, suitable for contacts, calendars, mail and some notes, the main condition is that your data must be synced with Google on Xiaomi.

How to check the synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account and make sure the switches for Contact, Calendar and Gmail are enabled.
3. Press Sync manually if automatic sync is disabled.

Portability to iPhone:

1. On iPhone, go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
2. Enter your Google Account details.
3. Turn on synchronization for Contacts, Calendars and Mail.
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).

This method is not suitable for transferring messages, photos or apps, but it guarantees 100% safe contacts and calendars. If you have multiple Google accounts, repeat the procedure for each.

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If after synchronization on the iPhone displays duplicate contacts, use the application "Contacts" → "Groups" and disable unnecessary sources (e.g. iCloud or SIM-map).

4. Method 3: Porting Photos and Videos to Google Photos or iCloud

Photos and videos usually take up the lion's share of memory, and porting them requires special attention. Google Photos and iCloud are two of the most reliable ways, but each has nuances.

Option 1: Google Photos (recommended for large libraries)

• 📸 Upload all photos to Google Photos on Xiaomi (make sure backup is enabled in Settings). → Backup and synchronization).
• 📱 On iPhone, install Google Photos from the App Store and sign in to the same account.
• 🔄 Turn on autoboot and wait for synchronization.
• 📥 To transfer photos to the standard Photos app, select them in Google Photos and click Save to the Library».

Option 2: iCloud (if you plan to use the Apple ecosystem)

• 🖥️ Download iCloud for Windows to your computer and log in.
• 📁 Connect Xiaomi to your PC and copy the photo to your Downloads folder.
• ☁️ In iCloud for Windows, enable synchronization of Photos and specify the folder with your files.
• 📱 On iPhone go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Photo and turn on "iCloud Media Theater».

5. Method 4: Transfer WhatsApp and other messengers

WhatsApp is the only messenger that has an official way to transfer chats from Android to iPhone, and other apps (Telegram, Viber) will have to use workarounds.

WhatsApp chat portability:

1. On Xiaomi, update WhatsApp to the latest version.
2. Connect your iPhone to Xiaomi via the original Lightning-USB cable.
3. On your iPhone, install WhatsApp and follow the port instructions (you will be prompted to import chats from Android).
4. On Xiaomi, confirm the export (you will need to enter a phone number).

There are no official tools for Telegram and Viber, but you can:

• 🔄 Export chats to.txt or.html (in the app settings) and send yourself by mail.
• 📤 Use third-party utilities like Backuptrans (paid, requires PC).
• 📸 Save screenshots of important correspondence (last version).

⚠️ Note: WhatsApp port only works when you first set up your iPhone. If the device is already configured, you’ll have to reset it to factory settings and repeat the procedure. Also make sure that Xiaomi has enough space – a temporary chat archive can weigh several gigabytes.

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The only reliable way to transfer WhatsApp history is to use an official tool from Meta. Third-party programs often lose media files or disrupt the chat structure.

Method 5: Transfer over a computer (for power users)

If wireless methods are not suitable (for example, due to slow Internet or a large amount of data), you can use direct connection via a computer, which takes longer, but guarantees control over the process.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows or macOS.
• 🔌 Original cables for Xiaomi and iPhone.
• 📂 Programs: iTunes (for Windows), Android File Transfer (for macOS), iMazing (optional).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer and copy all the necessary files (photos, videos, documents) into a separate folder.
2. Connect your iPhone and open iTunes (or Finder on macOS).
3. In the Files section, select the Sync option and specify the folder with data from Xiaomi.
4. To transfer music, use iTunes → Music → Synchronize music.
5. Contacts and calendars can be exported through a Google Account (see Method 2).

This method is not suitable for transferring applications or data, but it allows you to selectively choose what to copy, for example, you can only transfer photos from the last year or specific documents.

1. Update iTunes to the latest version.

2.Reinstall Apple Mobile Device drivers (for Windows).

3. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).-->

7.What can’t be transferred from Xiaomi to iPhone (and how to get around it)

Unfortunately, not all data can migrate between ecosystems, and here's what you can't migrate, and why:

• 📱 Installed annexes (APK) — iOS does not support.apk files. Solution: find analogues in the App Store or use web versions of services.
• 🎵 Music in format FLAC or OGG — iPhone only plays on the only version MP3, AAC, WAV. Solution: Convert files via Audacity or VLC.
• 📝 Notes from MIUI Notes — no direct sync. Solution: export to.txt and import to Apple Notes via email.
• 🔧 System application settings (such as themes) MIUI Solution: Reset your iPhone manually.
• 🎮 Save games – if the game is not cross-platform (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile, progress will be lost. Solution: link your account to Google Play Games or Facebook.

There are workarounds for some data, but they take time. For example, saving games can be moved if the game supports cloud-based saves (e.g., via Steam Cloud or Epix Games).

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 Move to iOS hangs in the "Data Preparation" stage: Reason: weak Wi-Fi signal or background processes on Xiaomi.Solution: reboot both devices, turn off VPN and try again.
• 📵 iPhone does not see Xiaomi through cable: Reason: unoriginal cable or data mode is disabled. Solution: in Xiaomi, select File Transfer when you connect» (MTP).
• ☁️ Google Photos won't upload photos: Reason: not enough space in your account or slow internet Solution: clear Google Drive or use mobile internet with unlimited rates.
• 🔒 WhatsApp doesn't offer chat portability: Reason: iPhone has already been set up or WhatsApp version is outdated.Solution: reset iPhone to factory settings and reset.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with global firmware (MIUI Global, but you bought it in China, some Google services may be limited, in which case, before transferring data, be sure to flash the device to the European version. MIUI (for example, MIUI EU).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions