The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is a crucial step that requires careful preparation. Even if you have long dreamed of Android flexibility, the process of migrating data can seem complicated: iOS and MIUI use fundamentally different storage formats, and standard Apple tools (for example, iCloud) do not always work correctly with Xiaomi devices. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transfer, from official utilities to workarounds for complex cases.
The main problem with the transition is Appleโs closed ecosystem, where unlike Android, where data is easily exported to universal formats, iOS stores contacts, notes and even photos in proprietary formats. iTunes/iCloud You can't just open a Redmi Note. 12 or POCO X5. But there are workarounds, from using cloud services to specialized applications like Move to iOS (yes, it works the other way around (2023โ2026 d.) and selected those that are guaranteed to work without data loss.
Itโs important to understand that some data (like call history or iMessage messages) canโt be transferred โ they just donโt exist in exported formats, but photos, contacts, calendars, and even some apps can be moved without loss. Next, youโll find step-by-step instructions for each data type, a method comparison table, and answers to frequent questions. If you switch from an iPhone 13/14/15 to a Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or POCO F5, this guide will save you hours on setting up a new device.
1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do on the iPhone
Before you start migrating, follow a few critical steps on your iPhone to prevent data loss and speed up the process.
- ๐ Charge both devices to at least 50%. Transfer large files (e.g., video recordings to the computer) 4K) It can take a few hours and drain the battery.
- ๐ถ Connect to stable Wi-Fi. Mobile Internet is not suitable โ many services (like Google Drive) limit download speeds. LTE.
- ๐ Turn off iMessage and FaceTime in Settings (Settings) โ Communications โ iMessage and Settings โ If you don't, the messages may go to the old number, not the new smartphone.
- ๐ฑ Update iOS to the latest version. Older versions (below 15.0) may lack key export features.
Pay special attention to backup, and even if you plan to transfer data directly, create a backup via iCloud or iTunes in case of a crash.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer and open Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows).
- Select your device from the side menu.
- Click Create a copy now and wait until it is completed (may take up to 30 minutes).
โ ๏ธ Note: If you use two-factor authentication Apple ID, Make sure you have access to trusted devices or phone numbers. After porting to Android, you will temporarily lose access to some iCloud features (like Find an iPhone) until you confirm sign-in on the new device.
Also check how much space your data takes up. Go to Settings โ Main โ iPhone Storage. If the volume is more than 50 GB, consider the option of a physical perenosom via cable (for this in section 3). Cloud services like Google Drive provide only 15 GB for free, and downloading large volume over Wi-Fi can take a day.
2. Method 1: Transfer through Google Account (contacts, calendars, mail)
The easiest and most reliable way to migrate contacts, calendars and emails is to sync them with your Google account, which works on all Xiaomi Redmi models (including the Redmi 12, Note 12 Pro and older devices) and does not require additional applications.
Instructions for iPhone:
- Open Settings โ Contacts โ Accounts.
- Click Add Add Add Account โ Google.
- Enter your Google account details (if you donโt have one, register here).
- Activate the switches next to Contacts, Calendars and Mail.
- Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data).
Now on Xiaomi Redmi:
- When you first enable, select Sign in to Google and use the same account.
- If your smartphone is already set up, go to Settings โ Google Accounts โ Sync and activate the necessary options.
Advantages of the method:
- โ Free and unlimited in volume (unlike cloud storage).
- โ Data is automatically updated when changes are made to any device.
- โ It works without an internet connection after the first synchronization.
โ ๏ธ Note: If you have social media accounts linked to your contacts (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp), they may not be transferred.
To check if the transfer is successful, open the Contacts app on Redmi and make sure all records are in place. If some contacts are duplicated, use the MIUI merge function: Contacts โ Settings โ Combine duplicates.
Add Google account on iPhone| Enable contact and calendar synchronization | Wait for sync on iPhone | Log in to the same account on Xiaomi Redmi | Check for data in MIUI-->
3. Method 2: Transfer photos and videos via Google Photos
Photos and videos are the most voluminous type of data users want to transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi Redmi. Google Photos is ideal for this, which offers 15 GB of free space (that is about 3-5 thousand photos in high quality). If you have more data, you can either buy an additional space (from 139). โฝ/100 GB per month), or use alternative methods from Section 5.
Step-by-step:
- Download Google Photos from the App Store.
- Open the app and log in to your Google account.
- Click on the avatar in the upper right corner โ Settings โ Backup and Synchronization.
- Activate the switch and select quality: High quality โ compression to 16 MP for photos and 1080p for videos (unlimited storage until 2021, now counts as 15 GB). Original quality โ no compression (takes up full volume).
Wait for the download to be completed (it can take from an hour to a day depending on the speed of the Internet).
On Xiaomi Redmi:
- Install Google Photos from the Play Market.
- Log in to the same account.
- All uploaded photos and videos will appear in the app, so they can be displayed in the standard gallery. MIUI, Download them to the device: Open the photo โ press โฎ โ Save to your device. Or select a few files. โ โฎ โ Exports.
| Parameter | Google Photos (High Quality) | Google Photos (Original) | Cable transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max. Free volume. | 15 GB (including other Google data) | 15GB | Unlimitedly. |
| Transfer speed | Depends on the Internet. | Depends on the Internet. | High (USB 3.0) |
| Data compression | Yes (up to 16 MP) | No. | No. |
| Required SOFTWARE | Google Photos appendix | Google Photos appendix | iTunes/Finder + Explorer |
If you have an iPhone 12 Pro or newer with ProRAW support, note that files in this format can weigh 25-50 MB each, in which case you should use a direct cable transfer (section 5) or an external drive.
๐ก
If you have slow internet, turn off automatic backups on your mobile network before uploading to Google Photos. Go to Settings โ Mobile Traffic โ Google Photos and deactivate the option.
Method 3: Transfer of messages and notes (partially)
Unfortunately, the full transfer of SMS/iMessage and notes from iPhone to Android is technically impossible without loss.
- ๐ฌ SMS/MMS: Use paid services like this iSMS2droid (cost ~$10). They export the messages to a.xml file, which is then imported through the app to Xiaomi. 70% (Lost attachments and group chats).
- ๐ Notes: If youโve used Appleโs standard Notes app, export them manually: Open a note โ Press Share. โ Export how PDF. Save the file to Google Drive or send it to the mail.
WhatsApp/Telegram:
Redmi
Important:
Settings โ Chat โ Backup copy
My Contacts Backup (free in the App Store) is a good way to transfer call logs, and it exports the story to a.vcf file, which can then be imported to Xiaomi via Contacts โ Import/Export.
โ ๏ธ Note: iMessages sent via Apple ID (These are blue bubbles, you can't move them, they're tied to the Apple ecosystem, and they're not stored in a standard format. SMS. If you are interested in correspondence, take screenshots or export it to the PDF through settings โ Communications โ Chat export (available only for individual dialogues).
An alternative for tech-savvy users is to use iMazing (pay-to-play Mac/Windows software), which allows you to unload an SMS in.csv format, which can then be converted for Android, but the process requires data skills and does not guarantee 100% results.
How to transfer voice messages from iMessage?
5. Method 4: Direct Cable Transfer (for large data volumes)
If you have more than 50 GB of data (for example, a video collection in the 4K or RAW-The fastest way to transfer via the Lightning-USB cable (or USB-C For new iPhones, you'll need to do that:
- ๐ Lightning cable โ USB-A (or USB-C iPhone 15) + adapter USB-A โ USB-C (If you're on Redmi Type-C connector).
- ๐ป Computer with Windows/macOS (or directly between phones, if supported OTG).
- ๐ External drive (optional if data is more than 100 GB).
Advantages of the method:
- โ Maximum speed (up to 40 MB/s when used) USB 3.0).
- โ No volume limit.
- โ The original quality of the files is maintained (important for the RAW video 4K/60fps).
Disadvantages:
- โ Requires additional accessories (cables, adapters).
- โ You need to manually sort files (for example, separate photo from video).