The shift from Apple’s ecosystem to Android, particularly Xiaomi’s, often causes users to worry about losing their data, fearing that contacts, photos, correspondence and apps will disappear forever, tied to a closed iOS system. However, modern technology allows data migration with little or no loss or complexity if you know the right sequence of actions.
The transfer process requires preparation and understanding of where your data is stored. Backup is a critical step that should not be ignored, even if you plan to use automated tools. In this article, we will look at all the available ways, from using proprietary utilities to cloud services, so you can choose the most suitable option.
Successful data transfer will ensure you can use the new device comfortably from the first minute, without having to manually enter hundreds of numbers or search for lost images, but the main thing is to follow the instructions clearly and make sure that both devices are ready for data transfer.
Preparation of devices and backup
Before you start any manipulations, make sure the original device is working correctly. Check that your iPhone has enough free space for temporary files if you plan to create a local copy. Also make sure that the battery level on both smartphones is at least 60% so that the process does not interrupt halfway due to discharge.
The key is to create an up-to-date backup in iCloud, which will be your insurance against unforeseen file transfer failures, and go to iCloud settings to make sure that the sliders opposite Photos, Contacts and Calendar are active.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to extract SIM-card or interrupt Wi-Fi connection while backing up iCloud, as this may damage the data archive.
It is also worth checking the operating system version. Xiaomi prefers to have the current version of MIUI or HyperOS, as new updates often improve data protocols. iPhone is also recommended to install the latest available security patches.
☑️ Preparation for migration
Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission
The most efficient and quick way to download everything from iPhone to Xiomy is to use the official Mi Mover app, which is designed specifically for data migration between devices of different platforms and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, photos, videos and even Wi-Fi settings.
To get started, install the Mi Mover app on both devices, which you can find on the App Store on your iPhone, and it's often pre-installed on Xiaomi in the Tools folder. Once you start, select the role of the device: on the new phone, say "I'm the recipient" and on the old phone, "I'm the sender."
Next, you need to create a connection. Mi Mover will offer to scan. QR-code or connect via a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot. This method is good because the data is transmitted over a local channel, without consuming your mobile traffic and providing high speed transfer of large volumes of files.
- 📱 Select file types for transfer: photos, videos, contacts, calendar events.
- 🔒 Make sure that the screens of the devices do not go out during the transfer process.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed without switching to other applications.
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If the transmission is 99% down, try turning off the power saving mode on your iPhone, as it can block the app’s background activity.
It is important to note that some iOS system settings cannot be converted to Android, but the bulk of user information will be successfully stored and placed in the corresponding folders of the new smartphone.
Transferring contacts and calendars through Google Account
Calendar contacts and events are the most important part of a user's digital footprint, and the most reliable way to carry them is through Google account sync, which ensures that your phone numbers are not lost even when you change your device in the future.
On the iPhone, you need to go to the App Store and download the official Google app. After installing, log in to your Google account (Gmail). In the app settings, look for the Sync section and make sure that the Contacts and Calendar items are enabled.
iPhone settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add an account → GoogleAfter you turn on sync, wait a few minutes until the device uploads data to the Google cloud. Then on a Xiaomi smartphone, just log in to the same account when you initially set up or in the settings menu.
⚠️ Note: If your contacts are only stored in your phone's memory ("This iPhone is on"), they don't sync. First, copy them to iCloud or Google Contacts.
This method is particularly convenient because it does not require a computer and works even with unstable connections, since it only transmits text data, which weighs a little, and after synchronization, all the numbers will appear in the standard Android phone book.
Photos and videos migrate through Google Photos
Media files are the most space-consuming and can take a long time to migrate, and the best way to save a photo archive is with Google Photos, which allows you to not only move pictures, but also organize them, and make room on your old device.
Install Google Photos on your iPhone and log in under your account. Enable Autoboot. The app will start uploading all photos and videos to Google's cloud storage. Speed depends on your Internet connection.
| Parameter | High quality | Original |
|---|---|---|
| Photo quality | Compressed (up to 15 MP) | No change. |
| Video quality | 1080p | Original |
| Place in the cloud | Not counted (free of charge) | Spending a 15GB quota |
| Loading speed | Hurry up. | Slower. |
Once you have finished downloading to your iPhone, open Google Photos on Xiaomi. All your images will be instantly available there. If you want to store them in your phone's memory, select the albums you want and click Download to Device.
What to do if the photos are not uploaded?
Using cloud storage also allows you to create additional copies of important moments of life, which is a good practice of digital hygiene.
Transfer of WhatsApp correspondence and messengers
The most difficult part of migration is often to keep WhatsApp’s correspondence history, and the direct transfer of chats between iOS and Android has become possible relatively recently, but requires a strict algorithm of actions.
First, make sure your iPhone has the latest version of WhatsApp installed. Go to chat settings and select "Move chats to Android." QR-code that appears on the Xiaomi screen during initial setup or through the Mi Mover app".
It's important to understand that this process requires connecting both phones to the same Wi-Fi network and using a Lightning-to-USB-C cable (or adapter) for some methods, or working over a local area network.
- 💬 WhatsApp Call History Not Transferred Between Platforms.
- 📁 Files sent in chat rooms will be re-uploaded.
- 🔐 Two-factor authentication must be available for entry.
Once the iPhone port is complete, the chats will be deleted as they have moved to the new device. Don't be afraid of it, this is the normal behavior of the messenger's security system.
Working with applications and paid content
Apps from the App Store don’t work on Android, so they’ll have to be reinstalled from the Google Play Market. Unfortunately, there’s no automatic portability of the apps themselves, but their listings are often synced if you’re using cross-platform services.
As for paid content, the situation is ambiguous: In-app purchases, subscriptions and apps purchased from Apple are not ported to Android, but you will have to re-purchase them or subscribe through the service’s website if it supports cross-platform access.
For popular services like Spotify, Netflix, Yandex.Plus or Telegram Premium, it is easy to log into your account on a new device. Your subscription will remain as it is tied to your profile, not to the app store.
Banking applications and government services (Government Services, Russian banks) need to be re-downloaded, and in some cases, a re-identification or security linking procedure may be required.
⚠️ Note: Before removing apps on your iPhone, make sure you remember passwords from all important services, as there will be no automatic FaceID login on Android.
Some games support cross-platform progress if you sign in via Facebook or Google Play Games. check the settings of a particular game on your iPhone to see if you can tie an account to save progress.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer the purchased apps from the App Store to Xiaomi?
What if Mi Mover can’t see the iPhone?
Is it safe to transfer data through third-party applications?
Will my alarm clocks and notes be saved when I move?
Do you need a computer to transfer data?
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The main secret of successful migration is to take your time and check every step: from synchronizing contacts to checking the upload of photos to the cloud.