How to Download Information from iPhone to Xiomi: A Complete Guide to Comparing Methods

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also the need to transfer all the important data: photos, contacts, messages and even applications. Many users face difficulties when trying to transfer information between devices on different operating systems — iOS and MIUI. Unlike switching between phones of the same brand (for example, from iPhone 12 to iPhone 15), it requires special tools or workarounds.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working ways to transfer data, including official solutions from Apple and Xiaomi, cloud services, as well as little-known tricks for transferring specific types of files (for example, notes from Apple Notes or call history), special attention will be paid to the nuances that depend on the Xiaomi model (Redmi series, POCO, Mi) and the MIUI version – from 12 to 14.

If you have already tried to transfer data and faced problems, at the end of the article there are FAQ-A section that answers frequent questions, including recovering deleted files after a failed transfer, and for those who want to save time, we've compiled a method comparison table on speed, reliability, and supported data types.

1.Official method: the “Transfer data” app from Xiaomi

The easiest and most recommended method Xiaomi uses proprietary application "Transfer data"** (formerly called Mi Mover), it is pre-installed on all smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO s MIUI 10 and newer. The app works on the principle P2P-Wi-Fi transmission without the need for an internet connection.

To take advantage of this method:

• 📱 Make sure that the latest version of iOS is installed on the iPhone (at least 12.0). MIUI 10+.
• 🔗 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network (or create an access point on Xiaomi).
• 📲 On Xiaomi, open Settings → The phone. → Transfer data (or find an app through search).
• 🍎 On your iPhone, scan it. QR-code that appears on the Xiaomi screen, or enter PIN-code.

Once connected, you can choose which data to transfer: contacts, photos, videos, music, calendars, and even some settings (such as wallpaper or alarm clocks).

⚠️ Note: If the iPhone enabled the function of Optimization of storage photos (in Settings) → Photos, some of the images may not be moved. Before transferring them, disable them or wait for all originals to download.

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2. Transfer via iCloud: pros and cons

iCloud is another reliable way to migrate data, especially if you have a large amount of photos or contacts, and the advantage of this method is that you can selectively download only the right files on Xiaomi without overloading the device’s memory, but there are also disadvantages: a limitation of free storage (5 GB) and possible loss of quality when compressing media files.

Instructions for transfer via iCloud:

1. On iPhone, go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and enable sync for the data you want (photos, contacts, notes, etc.).
2. Wait for the download to complete (check in Settings → iCloud → Storage Management).
3. On Xiaomi, open your browser and go to iCloud.com, log in.
4. Select a partition (such as Photos) and upload files to your device or to Xiaomi’s cloud (Mi Cloud).

For contacts and calendars, you can use synchronization through Google Account:

• 📇 On iPhone: Settings → Contacts → Accounts. → Add an account → Google.
• 🔄 On Xiaomi: Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable contact sync.

⚠️ Note: When transferring photos via iCloud files in format HEIC (iPhone standard: automatically converted to JPEG, To avoid this, change your iPhone settings before downloading to Xiaomi: → Photo Photo → Formats → Compatibility.

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3.Move over Google Drive or Mi Cloud

If you prefer cloud services but don’t want to use iCloud, the alternative is Google Drive or Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud, Mi Cloud, which is suitable for transferring large amounts of data (up to 15 GB in the free version of Google Drive) and allowing you to save the folder structure.

For Google Drive:

1. Download the Google Drive app on your iPhone from the App Store.
2. Upload the files to the cloud (click + → Download).
3. On Xiaomi, open Google Drive, select files and click Download.

For Mi Cloud:

• 📁 On iPhone, open your browser and go to i.mi.com, log in.
• 🖥️ Upload files via the web interface.
• 📱 On Xiaomi, open Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud and download the data.

Mi Cloud has a 5GB limit for free accounts, but offers sign-up bonuses (like +5GB at first log-in), a major plus of this method is MIUI integration: downloaded files are automatically sorted into the gallery and file manager.

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If you need to transfer a lot of photos, pre-archive them in ZIP on your iPhone (use the Files or WinZip app).

4. Direct transmission via OTG cable or adapter

For those who don't want to depend on the Internet or the cloud, direct cable is the right way to do it, and it requires additional accessories, but it guarantees maximum speed and data security.

• 🔌 Lightning adapter → USB Type-C (for new iPhones without connector) or OTG-cable.
• 💾 Type-C connector flash drive (for Xiaomi) or microSD card.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the flash drive to the iPhone through the adapter and copy files to it (use the Files app).
2. Disconnect the flash drive and connect it to Xiaomi.
3. In the File Manager (Files), find the flash drive and copy the data to internal memory.

If you have an iPhone with a Lightning connector and a Xiaomi with a Type-C, you can do without a flash drive using a direct Lightning-Type-C cable (sold separately).

1. Connect the cable to both devices.
2. On the iPhone will be a request for trust device — confirm.
3. On Xiaomi, open the files. → USB-device and copy the data.

⚠️ Note: When using cheap OTG-Check the adapter compatibility with your iPhone model (for example, adapters for iPhone 14 Pro may not work with iPhone 8).

5. Transfer of messages and chats (WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS)

One of the most difficult types of data to transfer is messages and chats. Unfortunately, direct porting of SMS and iMessage to Xiaomi is impossible without third-party tools.

For WhatsApp:

• 📱 Back up chats on iPhone: WhatsApp Settings → chat → Backup copy.
• 🖥️ Connect your iPhone to your PC and copy the backup file (located in the /var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/...).
• 📲 Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi, log in with the same number and restore chats from the local copy (pre-placing the file in the folder). /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases).

For Telegram:

Here, the process is simpler: Telegram syncs all chats and media files through the cloud.

1. On iPhone, make sure all messages are uploaded (open chats and wait for sync).
2. On Xiaomi, install Telegram and log in to the same account.
3. All chats and files will be downloaded automatically.

SMS and iMessage will require specialized programs such as iMazing or AnyTrans that export messages to.csv or.xml. These files can then be imported to Xiaomi through applications such as SMS Backup & Restore.

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Messages from iMessage cannot be migrated to Xiaomi, they are tied to the Apple ecosystem. Use alternative messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) in advance, so as not to lose the story.

6. Transfer of applications and their data

Unlike Android devices, where you can transfer.apk files, the iPhone uses a closed.ipa format that is not compatible with Xiaomi.

Method 1: Backup through accounts

Many apps (like games or social media) allow you to save progress in the cloud. Check the settings of the app on your iPhone:

• 🎮 For games: link your account to Google Play Games or Facebook.
• 📊 For fitness trackers: export data to Google Fit or Strava.

Method 2: Transfer over APK + OBB (for power users)

If the app is available on Android, but its data is stored locally (for example, save in games), you can:

1. On the iPhone, find a folder with the application data (via iTunes or iMazing).
2. Download.apk application files on Xiaomi (for example, with APKPure).
3. Transfer the data to /Android/obb/[packet name] folder on Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: Transferring.apk files from unknown sources may not be secure. Before installing, check the hash on sites like VirusTotal.

7.Alternative methods: computer, email and AirDrop

If none of the above methods is suitable, you can use intermediate devices:

Through a computer (Mac or Windows):

• 🖥️ Connect your iPhone to your PC and copy files via iTunes or Explorer (for photos).
• 📂 Connect Xiaomi to PC in File Transfer mode (MTP).
• 📋 Transfer files from PC to Xiaomi.

Through email or messengers:

For small files (up to 25 MB), you can send them to yourself by mail or via Telegram (up to 2 GB per file).

• 📧 Send an attachment email to your Gmail and open it on Xiaomi.
• 📎 In Telegram, create a channel or chat with you and upload files there.

AirDrop (Mac only):

If you have a MacBook, you can use AirDrop to transfer files to your computer and then transfer them to Xiaomi:

1. Turn on AirDrop on your Mac and iPhone.
2. Send files from your iPhone to your Mac.
3. Connect Xiaomi to your Mac and copy the files.

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To send a large number of photos via email, use archiving. On iPhone, select photos in the Photos app, click Share → Save to Files, then archive the folder through Files and submit the archive.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions