How to transfer everything from iPhone to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways 2026

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi is not only about changing the operating system, but also the need to transfer all the important data: photos, contacts, messages and applications. Many users fear this process, considering it difficult or risky. In fact, modern tools allow you to migrate quickly and without loss - the main thing is to know what methods to use for specific types of data.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of transferring from iOS to iOS. MIUI, Including official Apple and Xiaomi solutions, third-party apps and manual methods, you'll learn how to save chat history, keep notes, and even move the settings of some applications.

Important: the transfer process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on the amount of data and the method chosen, and we recommend starting with the most critical data (contacts, photos), and then moving on to the less important ones (calling history, game settings).

Preparation for transfer: what to do before the start

Before you start migrating, follow a few steps that will help you avoid data loss and speed up the process.

On the iPhone:

• 🔋 Charge the device to at least 50% – transfer can take a long time.
• 📱 Update iOS to the latest version through Settings → Mainstream → Update of the PO.
• 🔒 Turn off Find iPhone in Settings → [Your name] → Find it. → Find an iPhone.
• 📡 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network – this will speed up the upload of data to the cloud.

On Xiaomi:

• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the current version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔌 Use the original cable USB-C/Lightning iPhone-connect.
• 📁 Free up enough space – transfers can take up to 20% of the space available.
• 🔐 Enable Developer Mode (optional) for advanced settings.

Pay special attention to backup. Even if you plan to migrate data directly, create a backup on your iCloud or your computer. It's crash insurance.

⚠️ Note: If the iPhone enabled two-factor authentication for Apple ID, You will need access to a trusted device or phone number to confirm your logout.

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

The most reliable method is to use Google’s official tool, the “Move to Android” app (formerly “Move to iOS”) works both ways and supports the transfer of most types of data.

Instructions:

1. Download “Move to Android” on your iPhone from the App Store.
2. On Xiaomi, when you first turn on, select Copy Data → Isa iPhone/iPad.
3. On your iPhone, open the app, agree to the terms and enter the code that will appear on Xiaomi.
4. Select data types for transfer (contacts, messages, photos, videos, calendars).
5. Wait until the process is complete – devices must remain connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Transfers message history from iMessage (rare for alternative ways).
• 📁 Keeps the structure of folders with photos.
• 🔒 Secure – data is transmitted over an encrypted channel.

Limitations:

• ❌ Does not transfer applications – only their data (for example, saving games).
• ❌ It doesn’t work with WhatsApp, it needs a separate method.
• ❌ You may not transfer notes from Apple Notes if they are encrypted.

💡

If the transfer is interrupted, don't start over again -- wait for the screen error and follow the prompts, and restarting Wi-Fi on both devices is most often the way.

3.Transfer over iCloud: Cloud-based method for photos and contacts

If you have a backup in iCloud, you can transfer data without connecting devices directly, which is suitable for contacts, photos, calendars and notes.

Steps for transfer:

1. On iPhone, make sure iCloud sync is enabled: Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Synchronize [Contacts/Photos/Calendars]
2. On your computer, go to iCloud.com and log in.
3. Export the necessary data: 📇 Contacts: highlight all → ⚙️ → Export vCard. 📅 Calendars: Choose a calendar → ⚙️ → Export. 📝 Notes: Open the note → ⚙️ → Send a copy.

Xiaomi

Google Drive

Xiaomi

.vcf

Contacts → ⚙️ → Imports/Exports

For photos and videos:

• 🖼️ Download media from iCloud Photos to your computer via iCloud.com.
• 📁 Move them to the folder on Xiaomi via MI File Manager or Google Photo.

⚠️ Note: If you have Storage Optimization enabled in iCloud Photos, only previews can be stored on your device. Wait for the originals to be downloaded fully before exporting (icon) 🔄 photo).

4.Mobilization of WhatsApp and other messengers

The history of chats on WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber is not tolerated by standard methods. There are nuances for each messenger.

WhatsApp:

• 📱 Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi and log in with the same number.
• 🔄 On iPhone, create a backup chat: WhatsApp settings → chat → Backup of chats → Make a copy
• 📁 Connect your iPhone to your computer and copy the backup file from the folder WhatsApp/Databases.
• 🔧 Use third-party tools like Backuptrans or iMazing to convert backup to an Android-compatible format.
• 📲 Transfer the converted file to Xiaomi and restore it via WhatsApp.

Telegram:

• ☁️ All chats and media files are stored in the cloud – just log in to a new device.
• 📁 For local backup: Settings → Data and memory → Exporting chat history.

Viber:

• 🔄 Create a backup on your iPhone in Settings → Account. → Backup copy.
• 📧 Send the file to yourself by email or upload it to the cloud.
• 📥 On Xiaomi, restore the backup through the same path in the settings.

For Signal and other end-to-end encrypted messengers, chat transfer is usually impossible – you will have to start with a clean slate.

5. Transfer of applications and their data

Apps from the App Store don’t migrate to Android automatically, but you can save their data and settings. Here’s how to do this:

List of installed annexes:

• 📋 On iPhone, open Settings → Screen time. → All actions and take screenshots of the list of applications.
• 🔍 On Xiaomi, find analogues in Google Play (many popular cross-platform apps are available).

Transfer of data of games and programs:

• 🎮 For games with cloud-based saves (for example, through Google Play Games or Facebook), it is enough to log in to the same social network.
• 📊 For apps like Spotify or Netflix, sync is done via your account.
• 📱 For local data (e.g. in the 1Password or Notion) use the built-in export/import.

Some applications have cross-platform synchronization:

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Apple Pay or iMovie) have no direct analogues on Android.Be sure to explore the alternatives in advance: for Apple Pay it is Google Pay, for iMovie it is CapCut or KineMaster.

6. Manual transfer via cable (for power users)

If you prefer full control of the process, you can transfer files directly through the cable, which requires a computer (Mac or Windows).

Instructions:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open either Windows or Finder (Mac).
2. Unlock your iPhone and allow access to files.
3. Copy the right folders: 📸 DCIM — photo and video. 🎵 Music - Music (if not from Apple Music). 📄 Books - e-books.

Xiaomi

File Transfer (MTP)

Xiaomi

DCIM/Camera

To transfer contacts and calendars through the cable:

• 📇 Export contacts to.vcf via iCloud.com or Mac Contacts.
• 📅 Export calendars to.ics via Calendar on Mac.
• 📱 Import files to Xiaomi via Contacts and Calendar.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔍 Full control over the data transferred.
• 📁 There are no limits on volume (unlike cloud services).
• 🔒 Data is not transmitted through third parties.

Disadvantages:

• ⏳ It takes more time.
• 🖥️ Requires a computer.
• 🛠️ You need basic skills with the file system.

💡

Manual cable transfer is the most reliable way to handle large amounts of data (100)+ GB), but requires more effort. Use it if other methods do not work.

7.Setup Xiaomi after data transfer

Once the data transfer is successful, you need to optimize Xiaomi for your needs.

Personalization of the system:

• 🎨 Set up theme and wallpaper in Themes (pre-installed app).
• 🔧 Activate Left-handed Mode or Gestures in Settings → Additionally.
• 📱 Turn Always on the Screen for Notifications in Settings → Lock screen.

Optimizing productivity:

• 🔋 Enable Adaptive Charging in Settings → Battery to extend battery life.
• 🚀 Activate Performance Mode in Settings → Special opportunities → Performance mode.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.

Safety:

• 🔒 Set up Face Unlock or Fingerprint in Settings → Password and security.
• 🛡️ Include malware protection in security → Scanning.
• 🔐 Set up Xiaomi Backup in Settings → The phone. → Backup.

Don’t forget to reconfigure notifications for apps – in MIUI They work differently than iOS, for example, to enable notifications for WhatsApp:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar.
2. Select WhatsApp and turn on Show notifications.
3. Activate Important Notifications to display on the locked screen.

8. Typical problems and their solutions

Even if you transfer data correctly, it can be incorrectly displayed, so let's look at the most common problems and how to solve them.

Problem 1: Photos are not displayed in the gallery

• 🔍 Reason: Files are copied to the wrong folder or have an incompatible format.
• 🛠️ Solution: Check that the files are in DCIM/Camera Or Pictures. Restart the Gallery app. Use it. MI File Manager for scanning folders.

Problem 2: Contacts are duplicated

• 🔍 Reason: Sync with multiple accounts (Google, Xiaomi, SIM-map).
• 🛠️ Solution: Contacts → ⚙️ → Contact management → Combine the takes

Problem 3: WhatsApp is not restoring history

• 🔍 Reason: Backup format incompatibility or incorrect file name.
• 🛠️ Solution: Make sure the backup file is called msgstore.db.crypt14. Put it in a folder. WhatsApp/Databases Reinstall WhatsApp and restore data when you first run it.

Problem 4: Apple Music Music is not played

• 🔍 Reason: Files in format.m4p (DRM-defence).
• 🛠️ Solution: Download music via Apple Music to your computer. Convert to.mp3 Use Audacity or iTunes. Move to Xiaomi and use Google Play Music or VLC.

Problem 5: Battery is running out quickly

• 🔍 Reason: Background data synchronization after transfer.
• 🛠️ Solution: Settings → Battery → Optimization → Auto-optimization

Note: Exporting passwords from iCloud Keychain requires unlocking a Mac with an account password.