Why migrating data from iPhone to Xiaomi is not as easy as it seems
The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is not just a change of gadget, but a complete migration between two different ecosystems: iOS and MIUI. Unlike the transfer between devices of the same brand (for example, from iPhone 12 to iPhone 15), here you will find nuances with file formats, account synchronization and even restrictions on the part of Apple.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to transfer data, from the official Mi Mover app to manually copying through the cloud, learn how to save contacts, photos, messages, notes and even call history, and avoid data loss during the transition, pay special attention to hidden restrictions (for example, why WhatsApp does not migrate over Google Drive from iPhone to Android), and give a checklist to prepare both devices.
If you’ve tried to make a port and have encountered errors, there’s an FAQ at the end of the article that addresses the most common issues (such as why Mi Mover can’t see an iPhone or how to get around the Apple Music music transfer restriction).
Method 1: Official Mi Mover app – fast transfer without a computer
Mi Mover is a proprietary tool from Xiaomi that allows you to transfer basic data from the iPhone to Redmi, POCO or Xiaomi wirelessly.
- 📱 Contacts (including groups and notes)
- 📷 Photos and videos (without loss of quality)
- 💬 Communications (SMS iMessage, but not WhatsApp!)
- 📞 Call histories
- 📅 Calendars and reminders
However, the Mi Mover has some critical limitations:
⚠️ Note: The app does not tolerate installed apps, music from Apple Music, data from Health and some system settings, and Mi Mover only works on new Xiaomi smartphones (released after 2020) with preinstalled firmware. MIUI 12+.
How to use Mi Mover:
- On Xiaomi, open the Mi Mover app (if not, download from Google Play).
- On your iPhone, download Mi Mover from the App Store and launch it.
- On both devices, select “I’m a new user” (on Xiaomi) and “iOS → MIUI” (on iPhone).
- Scan it. QR-code from the screen Xiaomi camera iPhone.
- Select the data to transfer and wait until it is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).
Charging both smartphones > 50%|Connected to a single Wi-Fi network|On the iPhone disabled mode "Do not disturb"|Xiaomi has enough free memory (at least 20% more data portable)|Unnecessary files are deleted (for example, application cache)-->
Method 2: Transfer over iCloud – Reliable, but not for all data types
If Mi Mover failed or your Xiaomi is too old for this app, you can use iCloud as an intermediate storage method.
- 📱 Contacts (export in.vcf format)
- 📷 Photos and videos (via iCloud Photos)
- 📅 Calendars and reminders
- 📝 Notes (if synced with iCloud)
Step-by-step:
- On iPhone, go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and enable sync for the data you want (contacts, photos, etc.).
- On your computer, open iCloud.com, log in and export data: Contacts: Contacts → ⚙️ → Export vCard Photos: Select the necessary files → Download.
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Google Drive
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Import everything
The downside is that not all data can be exported, such as iMessage and WhatsApp not synced with iCloud in an Android-compatible format, and music purchased on iTunes is DRM-protected and not portable.
How to transfer music from iPhone to Xiaomi?
Method 3: Google Drive is universal, but with pitfalls
Google Drive is one of the most versatile tools for data transfer, but it doesn't work perfectly.
- 📱 Contacts (if synced with Google Account)
- 📷 Photos and videos (via Google Photos)
- 📅 Calendars (if added to Google Calendar)
- 📝 Some notes (if exported to.txt or.pdf)
How to transfer data via Google Drive:
- On your iPhone, install the Google Drive app and log in.
- Click + → Download and select files to transfer (photos, videos, documents).
- On Xiaomi, open Google Drive, find uploaded files and download them.
- For contacts: on iPhone, export them to.vcf (via Contacts → Share) and upload to Drive. On Xiaomi, import the file through the Contacts app.
⚠️ Note: Google Drive has a free storage limit (15GB).If you have a lot of high-resolution photos or videos, you may need a paid subscription or an alternative way to transfer (for example, via cable). OTG).
Also note that some data loses structure when ported. For example, WhatsApp does not officially support backup from iPhone to Google Drive – this requires a workaround (see Method 5).
Mi Mover (Official Xiaomi App)|iCloud + hand-export|Google Drive|Cable OTG computer|Another way.-->
Method 4: Transfer over a computer (iTunes + USB cable) – for advanced users
If wireless methods are not suitable (for example, because of a large amount of data or an unstable Internet), you can use the computer as an intermediary, which takes longer, but gives you complete control over the process.
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows or MacOS
- 🔌 Lightning Cable (iPhone) and USB-Type C (Xiaomi)
- 📁 Programs: iTunes (or Finder on Mac), Xiaomi PC Suite (optional)
Instructions:
- Export contacts and calendars: Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes (or Finder on Mac).In the Review section, click Sync Contacts with → Google Contacts (pre-authorize in Google Account).
- Photo and video portability: In iTunes, go to Photos → Sync Photos from → Folder on your computer. Copy files from a folder on Xiaomi via Explorer (This computer → [Your Xiaomi] → Internal Storage → DCIM).
Transfer music (if not from the iTunes Store):
1. Connect the iPhone to the computer.
2. Open "This Computer" → [Your iPhone] → Internal Storage → Music.
3. Copy files in MP3/AAC format to your computer.
4. Connect Xiaomi and transfer the files to the Music folder.| Type of data | Method of transfer via computer | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Sync with Google Contacts via iTunes | Not transferable notes to contacts |
| Photo/video | Copying through Explorer or iTunes | Live Photos are losing animation |
| Music. | Manual copying of MP3/AAC files | DRM-protected tracks will not be carried |
| Communications | Exports via third-party programs (e.g. iMazing) | iMessage is not portable to Android |
⚠️ Note: If you are using a Mac with a chip M1/M2, To work with Xiaomi through Android File Transfer, you may need an additional driver (HoRNDIS.
Method 5: Transferring WhatsApp and other messengers – workarounds
One of the most painful moments when switching from iPhone to Xiaomi is the transfer of the history of correspondence in instant messengers. Officially WhatsApp does not support direct transfer of chats between iOS and Android, but there are working workarounds.
For WhatsApp:
- On iPhone, back up chats: Open WhatsApp → Settings → Chat → Backup. Click Create a copy (data will be saved to iCloud).
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Backuptrans
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For Telegram and Viber, the process is simpler:
- 📌 Telegram: chats sync to the cloud automatically. Just log in to Xiaomi under the same account.
- 💬 Viber: On iPhone: Settings → Account. → Backup (save to iCloud) on Xiaomi: log in to Viber and restore chats from backup (if it was made less than 30 days ago).
💡
If you use Signal, porting chats from iPhone to Android is officially supported from 2022. To do this, select Chats and Media → Backup Chats and follow the instructions in the app settings.
What to do if data is not transferred or errors occur
Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions.
1 Mi Mover doesn't see iPhone
- 🔹 Make sure your iPhone has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
- 🔹 Reboot both devices.
- 🔹 Check that Xiaomi has the latest version of Mi Mover (update via Google Play).
- 🔹 If used VPN Or proxy, turn them off.
2.Photos moved, but no shooting date
This is a typical problem when copying through Google Photos or iCloud.
- 🔹 Use ExifTool on your computer to recover metadata.
- 🔹 Transfer the photo through the cable OTG, not through the cloud.