How to quickly transfer photos from iPhone to Xiaomi

Changing the ecosystem from iOS to Android often raises questions, especially when it comes to migrating a personal library. The most common challenge iPhone owners face when switching to Xiaomi is to quickly and efficiently transfer accumulated galleries of photos and videos. Unlike Apple’s closed system, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers many flexible tools for importing data, but requires the right approach to file formats.

The main difficulty lies in the difference between file systems and codecs. Apple is actively using the HEIC format to save space, which does not always correctly display on Android without converting. Also, the lack of native AirDrop for devices other than Apple creates the illusion of complexity of the process. However, using the right methods, you can transfer thousands of images in minutes without loss of quality.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways, from cloud services and wired connectivity to specialized utilities from Xiaomi, you’ll learn how to avoid typical synchronization errors and why some methods are suitable for dozens of photos and others for entire archives.

Use of the official Mi Mover app

The most efficient and quickest way Xiaomi has designed specifically for migration is Mi Mover, an application designed to seamlessly transfer data between smartphones, regardless of the source operating system. To get started, you’ll need to install the app on both devices, although on newer Redmi and Poco smartphones it’s often built into the default system.

The connection process is done by creating a local Wi-Fi network, which allows for high transmission speeds without consuming mobile traffic. It is important that both smartphones are close to each other and the screens are active. QR-The system will suggest you to choose the type of data – in our case, it is Images and Videos.

A unique feature of this method is the automatic format conversion. If your iPhone stores photos in HEIC, Mi Mover can automatically recode them to a compatible JPG during transfer, eliminating problems with display in the gallery. However, when transferring very large amounts of data (more than 50 GB), the process can take considerable time, and interrupting the connection on the new phone will lead to a stop download.

⚠️ Warning: Do not go to sleep on your iPhone while you are transferring. iOS aggressively optimizes background processes and can break the Wi-Fi connection with the receiving device if the screen goes out.

Once the process is complete, all files will be in the standard gallery folder. Mi Mover also retains the album structure, making navigation much easier on the new system.

Transfer via cloud storage: Google Photos and iCloud

Cloud is the easiest way for those who don’t want to mess with cables or install unnecessary apps for direct communication, and the leader here is Google Photos, which is perfectly integrated into Android and has a great iOS app. Just install the app on your iPhone, log into your Google account and enable Autoboot.

The main advantage of the method is that it is independent of the physical presence of devices. You can start downloading today, and on the new Xiaomi you can log in in at least a week later. All photos will be in place. However, there is a caveat: free space on Google is limited to 15 GB. For large archives you will have to buy additional space or use quality compression to "Saving space".

Alternatively, iCloud for Windows or the web version of iCloud.com. You can upload photos from iCloud to your computer and then upload them to Google Photos or directly to the Xiaomi Cloud (if the region supports), which is good because the original files are saved unchanged.

• 📸 Google Photos: Better sync, smart search, but compresses quality in free fare.
• ☁️ iCloud Web: Allows you to download originals, but requires manual intervention and PC.
• 📂 Yandex.Disk / Dropbox: Alternative clouds with autoload photo function.

Uploading 10,000 photos in their original quality can take hours, even on fast Wi-Fi.

Wired connection via PC and iTunes

If you don’t have stable Wi-Fi or hundreds of gigabytes of data, the classic method is the most reliable one. To work with an iPhone on Windows, you’ll need to have iTunes installed or Apple Devices drivers installed so your computer can correctly recognize the smartphone file system.

First, connect your iPhone to your computer and allow access to data on your phone screen. Through the explorer, copy the DCIM folder to your hard drive. Then connect Xiaomi in file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the data to the appropriate folder, such as Pictures or DCIM.

This method gives you complete control over files, you can sort out the unnecessary, delete duplicates or break up the archive by years before downloading to a new phone, and the wired connection ensures that the process is not interrupted by wireless signal instability.

When copying through Windows Explorer, you may experience an error when working with ProRes or HEVC (4K 60fps) video formats if the codecs are not installed in the system, in which case the video files can be copied, but will not be played before installing the corresponding player on Xiaomi.

Use of cross-platform applications (Send Anywhere, Shareit)

Third-party file transfer applications are often faster and more convenient than built-in tools, as they are not subject to operating system constraints, and the leader in this niche is Send Anywhere, which works on the principle of generating a unique 6-digit key.

It's elemental: you run an app on your iPhone, you pick a photo, you get the code. Type this code into Xiaomi, and the transfer starts. No registrations, no accounts, no complex network settings. The app uses direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which allows for high speed.

Other popular analogs, such as SHAREit or Zapya, are also effective but often overloaded with advertising, which can be annoying when transferring large numbers of files in small portions.However, they support the resumption of interrupted transfer, which is a critical feature.

When choosing an app, look for permissions. To work properly, it needs access to the entire media library, not just the photos you select. In iOS, this requires confirmation through the system security window.

The format problem: HEIC vs. JPG on Android

One of the major technical challenges in migrating is the HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) format, which Apple uses by default, which provides better quality with a smaller file size, but Android has historically been a bad friend with it, although modern versions of MIUI have already learned to open them.

The problem may not be with viewing, but with uploading to social networks or sending via instant messengers. Some Android applications may not recognize HEIC and give an error. To avoid this, you better convert the photo in advance or set your iPhone to shoot in a compatible format.

To change your settings on your iPhone, go to Settings → Camera → Formats and select Most Compatible. This will make the phone shoot straight to JPG. For existing photos, you can use conversion when exporting.

If you have already transferred photos in HEIC format and Xiaomi can’t see them, install any converter from Google Play or use online services, but the easiest way to set up the correct format before mass transfer.

Gallery settings and troubleshooting

Once the photos are on Xiaomi, the system can index media files for a while, at which time the gallery may be slow or not displaying all the albums, which is normal behavior for the Android operating system.

Sometimes, you have photos in the file manager, but they don't show up in the gallery, so you have to check for the.nomedia file in the image folder, and this hidden file prevents the system from scanning the folder, and delete it through any file manager that has access to the hidden files.

Also worth checking is the settings for displaying hidden albums. The Gallery app on Xiaomi has a Hidden Albums feature that could have accidentally entered some folders when importing. Go to the gallery settings and make sure that all the directories you need are included in the display.

• 🔄 Cache Clearing: If the gallery is buggy, try clearing the app's cache in the settings.
• 📂 File Manager: Use the built-in Explorer to check for files.
• 🔋 Energy saving: Turn off hard energy savings for the gallery so that background indexing is not interrupted.

⚠️ Note: When deleting files on iPhone after transfer, make sure that sync with iCloud is fully complete and copies are safely lying on Xiaomi.

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Tip: After the transfer, enable the “Free space” function in the gallery settings on Xiaomi to find and remove blurred pictures or similar duplicates, saving up to 20% of memory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The fastest way to do a lot of volume is to use Mi Mover or cable, and the easiest way to sync regularly is to use Google Photos.