Moving from Android to iOS: Why is it not so easy?
Changing the ecosystem from Xiaomi to iPhone is not just about buying a new smartphone, it’s about migrating digital life. Even if you’ve long dreamed of seamless integration with other Apple devices, the process of transferring data can be a real test. Unlike switching between Android devices (where you just log in to Google Account), transferring information to iOS requires separate tools and knowledge of nuances.
The main problem lies in the difference in architectures: Xiaomi (like any Android smartphone) uses an open file system and supports third-party cloud services, while the iPhone operates in a closed ecosystem with strict restrictions. For example, direct transfer of SMS through standard means is impossible without additional applications, and HEIC photos (used iPhone) can not be correctly displayed on Xiaomi when you return. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of migration from official Move to iOS to manual methods using a PC.
Method 1: Official Move to iOS app (the easiest option)
Apple’s Move to iOS app is designed specifically to transfer data from Android to iPhone or iPad. It is free, supports most Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13) and transmits:
- 📞 Contacts (including groups and profile photos)
- 📷 Photo and video (in original resolution)
- 📅 Calendars and events
- 📍 Browser bookmarks (Chrome or Mi Browser)
- 📱 Email settings (Gmail, Yandex, etc.)
- 🎵 Playlists (without the music files themselves)
⚠️ Note: The application does not carry installed APK-files, notes from Mi Notes, data from some messengers (for example, Telegram or Viber), as well as files from folders like DCIM/Thumbs If you want this data, use alternative methods in the following sections.
Charge both phones at least 50% | Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi | Make sure Xiaomi has enough space (at least 1GB free) | Turn off VPN on both devices | Download Move to iOS from Google Play
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Step-by-step:
- Turn on your new iPhone and follow the instructions to the Apps and Data screen. Select Move data from Android.
- On Xiaomi, open Move to iOS, accept the terms and click Continue.
- The iPhone will have a 6- or 10-digit code, type it into Xiaomi.
- Select the data to transfer (you can mark everything) and wait for completion. Xiaomi will show progress, and iPhone will show time to end.
- Once completed, click Ready on Xiaomi and continue setting up your iPhone.
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If the transfer is interrupted, restart the process from scratch. Do not try to resume - this can lead to duplication of contacts or loss of part of the photo.
Method 2: Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, emails and calendars)
If you already have Google sync set up on Xiaomi, this method will be the fastest to transfer basic data, with the advantage of no additional apps to install, and contacts and calendars automatically update on the iPhone when changes are added.
What's transferable:
- 👥 Contacts (including groups and tags)
- 📅 Calendars (Google Calendar)
- ✉️ Mail (Gmail, Yandex via IMAP)
- 📍 Chrome bookmarks (if used)
Instructions:
- On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Accounts & Sync → Google and make sure that sync is enabled for Contacts, Calendar and Gmail.
- On iPhone, when setting up, select Log in with Apple ID, then go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
- Enter your Google Account details and enable synchronization for the right services.
- Wait for the synchronization to be completed (it can take up to 10 minutes depending on the amount of data).
What to do if the contacts are duplicated?
⚠️ Note: If you used a Mi Account to store contacts (not Google), this method will not work.In this case, export contacts to a.vcf file through the Contacts app on Xiaomi, and then import it to your iPhone via iCloud.com or email.
Method 3: Transfer photos and videos via cloud services
Photos and videos usually take up the lion’s share of memory, so porting them requires special attention. Problem: Move to iOS may not be able to cope with large libraries (for example, 50+ GB), and direct cable transfer between Xiaomi and iPhone is impossible without an intermediary.
Comparison of services for transferring media files:
| Service | Max. Free seat. | Loading speed | Support for original quality | Automatic sorting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Photo | 15 GB (shared with Google Drive) | High (with good Wi-Fi) | Yes (when choosing "Original Quality") | Yeah (by dates and albums) |
| iCloud | 5GB | Medium | Yes. | Yes. |
| Yandex Disc. | 10GB | Low (limitations for free accounts) | Yes. | No. |
| Dropbox | 2GB | Tall. | Yes. | Partially. |
Recommended algorithm:
- On Xiaomi, open Google Photos, go to Settings → Backup and Sync, and enable the download in Original Quality.
- Wait until the download is complete (you can track the progress in notifications).
- On your iPhone, install Google Photos, log in to the same account and wait for sync.
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone – all media files will appear in the Google Photos album.
- (Optional) Copy files to the main gallery: highlight them, click Share → Save in Photos.
Google Photo|iCloud|Yandex Drive|Dropbox|Other |Not using cloud-->
Method 4: Transfer over a computer (for large amounts of data)
If you have tens of gigabytes of photos/video, or want to transfer files like documents, music, or archives, the best option is to use a PC (Windows/Mac) as an intermediary, a method that is universal and does not depend on Internet speed, but requires cables and a little more time.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with USB-port
- 🔌 USB-Type C Cable for Xiaomi (usually included)
- 🔌 Cable Lightning/USB-C iPhone (depending on the model)
- 📁 Sufficient space on the hard disk (recommended) +20% of the volume of data transferred)
Step-by-step instructions for Windows:
- Connect Xiaomi to your PC via cable. In the phone notification menu, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
- Open this computer, your Xiaomi will appear as a removable disk. Copy the files you want (usually in DCIM, Download, Pictures folders) onto your hard drive.
- Connect your iPhone to your PC. If iTunes isn’t installed, download it from Apple’s website (even on Windows 11, it’s needed to work with your iPhone).
- Open iTunes, select your iPhone, and go to Files (or Shared Music/Video)
- Move files to the appropriate sections (for example, photos can be uploaded via Photos → Sync photos).
- Click Apply and wait for the synchronization to be completed.
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Use iTunes or Apple Music to transfer music..mp3 or.m4a files can be simply dragged to the iTunes library and then synced to the iPhone.
⚠️ Note: If you're porting.mkv or.avi, your iPhone won't be able to play it without converting. Use programs like HandBrake to convert to the video.mp4 (codec H.264).
Method 5: Transfer of Messages and Data of Messengers
One of the most difficult aspects of migration is keeping your correspondence history, and the problem is that Apple doesn't provide built-in tools for porting SMS/MMS from Android, and messenger data (like WhatsApp or Viber) is stored in closed databases, but there are workarounds.
Transfer of SMS/MMS:
- 📱 Use the app. SMS Backup & Restore on Xiaomi to backup in.xml format.
- 🖥️ Transfer the file to your PC, then convert it to.csv using online services like smsbackuprestore.com.
- 📱 Import a file to your iPhone via iMazing or AnyTrans (paid but secure).
Transferring WhatsApp correspondence:
- On Xiaomi, open WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chat → Backup and create a backup in Google Drive.
- Install WhatsApp on your iPhone, log in with the same number and wait for the offer to restore the history.
- ⚠️ Important: Recovery is only possible when you first install WhatsApp on your iPhone! If the app has already been installed, delete it and start again.
Telegram Delay
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even when following instructions, users face problems.-5 errors and ways of solving them:
- Move to iOS doesn't find an iPhone: Check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile data!). Disable Bluetooth on Xiaomi - it may interfere with the connection. Restart the app on both devices.
- Photos transferred in low quality: In Google Photos, make sure you choose Original quality, not High quality (compression). On iPhone, check the settings of Photos → Formats and select Compatibility maximum.
- Contacts are not synced with Google: On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Accounts → Google → your account and manually enable sync for Contacts. On iPhone, check that Settings → Contacts → Accounts are enabled with a Contacts slider for Google.
- iTunes can't see iPhone: Update iTunes to the latest version. On Windows, install Apple Mobile Device Support drivers. USB-port.
- Lack of space on iCloud: Free 5GB is running out quickly. Before transferring, clear iCloud of unnecessary backups (in Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Storage Management) or buy an extra space (from 50GB for $0.99 per month).