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

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is not just a change of gadget, but a complete migration of digital life between two different ecosystems. If you've been using iCloud, iMessage and Apple ID for years, data transfer can seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach, it will take less than an hour, and all your photos, contacts and even your message history will remain intact.

The main problem is that iOS and MIUI (Xiaomi firmware) use different storage formats. For example, iPhone backups are created in a closed.ipsw format that is not directly readable on Android. In addition, many applications (like WhatsApp or Telegram) store data in clouds tied to accounts, not to the device. In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer data, from official tools to workarounds for experienced users.

Hardware constraints are also important to consider, for example, if you switch from an iPhone 13 Pro Max to a Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the amount of internal memory may vary, which means you have to make room in advance or use cloud services, and not all data can be transferred directly, for example, app settings or game account data often stays on the old device.

1.Official way: Apple's "Move to iOS" app (reverse port)

Yes, you heard it right: Apple offers a tool to transfer data from Android to iPhone, but not vice versa. However, there is a workaround to use it in the “back side” through an intermediate Android smartphone or emulator, this method is suitable for transferring contacts, photos, videos and parts of messages, but requires additional manipulation.

Here's how it works:

• 📱 Install the Move to iOS app on Xiaomi (yes, it is on Google Play).
• 🔄 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (important: don’t use mobile internet!).
• 🔑 On iPhone go to Settings → Mainstream → Reset → Erase content and settings, then select “Move data from Android».
• 📲 On Xiaomi, run Move to iOS, enter the code from your iPhone and select data to transfer.

⚠️ Note: This method will only work if you reset your iPhone to factory settings. If you have already sold or given your iPhone, use the other methods in this article. Also note that you can't move the apps, just media files and contacts.

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

The most reliable way to transfer contacts, calendars and emails is synchronization through Google Account, which works independently of the Xiaomi model (be it Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13T Pro) and does not require additional programs.

Instructions:

1. On iPhone, open Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
2. Enter your Google account details (if you don’t have one, create it here).
3. Activate the switches next to Contacts, Calendar and Mail.
4. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (it can take up to 10 minutes with a large amount of data).
5. On Xiaomi, add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts and Sync.

⚠️ Note: If you have duplicate contacts after the transfer, use the Google Contacts app on Xiaomi and select Contact Management. → Consolidate and fix. Also check that the sync settings do not include other accounts (e.g. Mi Account or iCloud).

Back up your iPhone in iCloud| Check free space in Google Drive | Disable two-factor authentication for port time (optional) | Write down passwords from Apple ID and Google Account-->

3. Photo and video portability: iCloud vs Google Photos

Photos and videos typically take up the lion’s share of a smartphone’s memory. There are two main ways to transfer them: via iCloud or Google Photos. The first is if you’re already using iCloud Photos, the second is if you want to jump right into the Google ecosystem.

Method 1: Through iCloud (if you have sync enabled)

• 🌐 On your computer, open iCloud.com and log in.
• 📷 Go to Photos, highlight all files and click Download (cloud icon with a down arrow).
• 📁 Save the archive to your computer, then upload it to Google Drive or transfer it to Xiaomi via cable.

Method 2: Google Photos (recommended)

• 📱 Install the Google Photo app on your iPhone.
• 🔄 Enable automatic download in the application settings (select “Original” or “High Quality” quality»).
• ⏳ Wait for the download to be completed (may take several hours with a large volume).
• 📲 On Xiaomi, install Google Photos and log in to the same account – all photos will appear automatically.

* When using iCloud, 5GB is available for free, further storage is paid.

** For photos up to 16 MP and videos up to 1080p uploaded before June 2021.

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If you have more than 100GB of photos, break the transfer into parts: first upload old photos, then new ones, which will speed up the process and reduce the risk of errors.

4. Message transfer (SMS, iMessage, WhatsApp)

Messages are one of the most difficult categories to transfer, with SMS and iMessage stored in Apple's closed format, and WhatsApp tied to a phone number, yet there are workable solutions for each case.

SMS and iMessage portability:

• 📱 Install iMazing or AnyTrans on iPhone (paid but with trial period).
• 🖥️ Connect your iPhone to your computer and export messages to.csv or.xml.
• 📲 Transfer the file to Xiaomi and import through the app SMS Backup & Restore.

WhatsApp portability:

• 🔄 Back up chats on your iPhone in WhatsApp Settings → chat → Backup copy.
• 📁 Connect your iPhone to your computer and find the backup file in the folder /var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/[long_id]/ChatStorage (Use iExplorer or iMazing).
• 🔧 Convert your backup to Android format with WhatsApp tool Key/DB Extractor (Technical skills required!).
• 📲 Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi, log in and restore chats from a converted file.

⚠️ Note: WhatsApp port between iOS and Android is not officially supported by the company. Use this method at your own risk - there is a possibility of losing some messages or media files.

5. Transfer of applications and their data

Unfortunately, apps from iPhone to Xiaomi cannot be directly transferred – they are installed through different stores (App Store vs Google Play), but you can save a list of installed applications and data of some of them (for example, games or instant messengers).

Maintaining the list of applications:

• 📋 On iPhone, open the App Store → [Your profile] → Shopping and taking screenshots of the app list.
• 🔍 On Xiaomi, find app analogues in Google Play (many popular services are available on both platforms).

Data transfer of games and applications:

• 🎮 For games, use cross-platform accounts: Google Play Games, Facebook or developer accounts (such as Supercell). ID Clash of Clans).
• 📊 For apps like Spotify, Netflix or TikTok, just log in with the same login – the data is synced automatically.
• 💰 Financial applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) will require re-authorization with confirmation of the SMS.

Important: Some apps (like Apple Music or Apple Pay) are unparalleled on Android. Check the availability of the services you need on Google Play in advance.

6. Post-transfer verification and optimization

After transferring the data, take your time to dump or sell your iPhone. First, make sure everything goes right, and optimize Xiaomi for your needs.

What to check first:

• 📞 Contacts: Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi and make sure all numbers are in place (especially check groups and linked accounts).
• 📷 Photo and video: Open the Gallery and check that all files are displayed (sometimes.HEIC-iPhone photos don’t read on Android – you need to convert them to.JPG).
• 💬 Messages: If you have been postponing SMS, Make sure your history is saved (especially important correspondence).
• 🎵 Music and podcasts: If you’ve used Apple Music, transfer playlists to YouTube Music or Spotify using services like Soundiiz.

Optimization of Xiaomi after the transfer:

• 🔋 Enable battery optimization for frequently used applications: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• 📶 Set up mobile internet and Wi-Fi: Xiaomi can automatically connect to open networks – disable this in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Auto-connection to open networks.
• 🔒 Check for app permissions: Android requests them differently than iOS. Go to Settings → Annexes → Permissions and configure access to camera, microphone and location.

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If Xiaomi is slowing down after the transfer, clear the cache to Settings → Memory → Cleanup. Also check if files are duplicated in the DCIM and Pictures folders.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi