How to Transfer Data from iPhone to Xiaomi: A Complete 2026 Guide

Why migrating 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 transition between two fundamentally different ecosystems. Apple and MIUI use different storage formats, synchronization protocols and even a philosophy of working with files. If on Android devices you are used to an open file system, iOS keeps everything under strict control, not allowing you to directly copy files like on a flash drive.

The main problem is the lack of a universal tool for migration. Unlike the transition between Samsung and Xiaomi, where the Smart Switch runs, or even between the iPhone and Pixel (where Google offers an adapter), there is no official solution for Xiaomi from Apple. This means that you will have to combine several methods, from cloud services to manual copying through the computer. But there is also good news: all the methods described in this article work on the current versions of iOS 17 and MIUI 14/15, including the iPhone 15 Pro and Xiaomi 14 Ultra models.

Before proceeding, make sure that:

• 🔋 Both devices have a minimum charge (at least) 50%) — Some methods are used to 2-3 hours.
• 📶 Both smartphones are connected to stable Wi-Fi (for cloud-based methods) or to a single router (for local transmission).
• 🔐 You remember Apple's passwords. ID Mi Accounts – You will need them to unlock backups.

Method 1: Transfer via Mi Mover – official solution from Xiaomi

Mi Mover is a Xiaomi-branded app that is designed to transfer data from other smartphones, including iPhones, and works on a point-to-point (without a computer) approach to transmit contacts, messages, photos, videos, and even some applications, but there are nuances: not all types of data are ported correctly, and speed depends on volume.

To use Mi Mover, follow the following steps:

1. Download the Mi Mover app from the App Store to your iPhone.
2. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → About Phone → Data Transfer (Mi Mover).
3. On iPhone, open the app, select “I’m the sender” and scan. QR-Xiaomi screen code.
4. Select data types to transfer (it is recommended to start with contacts and media files).
5. Confirm the transfer on both devices and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Attention: Mi Mover is not tolerated:

• 🎵 Music purchased on iTunes (for example, because of the DRM-defense).
• 📅 Notes from Apple Notes (only if they are not synced to iCloud in text format).
• 🔐 Passwords from iCloud Keychain (you will have to enter them manually or use Google Password Manager).

Install Mi Mover on iPhone| Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network| Charge both devices > 50% | Free up space on Xiaomi (minimum 20% of the data portable) | Disable VPN on both devices-->

If the Mi Mover is stuck in the connection phase, try:

• 🔄 Reboot both smartphones.
• 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes a 5GHz change helps).
• 🚫 Disable the firewall or antivirus on Xiaomi (in Settings) → Annexes → Permits).

Up to 5GB|5-20 GB|20–50 GB|More than 50GB-->

Method 2: Cloud sync via iCloud and Google Drive

This method is suitable for those who already use iCloud for backup, and the point is to first upload data from iCloud to a computer and then upload it to Google Drive or Mi Cloud for sync with Xiaomi, the advantage of not having to connect devices directly, and the disadvantage is that you need a computer and enough space in the cloud.

Instructions for transferring photos and videos:

1. On your computer, open your browser and go to iCloud.com, log in under your Apple ID.
2. Select the Photos section, then click Allocate (or select the files you want) and click on the download icon (cloud with a down arrow).
3. Download the downloaded files to Google Photos (via the web version or mobile app on Xiaomi).
4. On Xiaomi, open Google Photos and enable automatic download in Settings → Backup.

For the transfer of contacts:

1. In iCloud, go to Contacts section.
2. Click on the gear in the lower left corner and select Export vCard.
3. Download the.vcf file imported to Google Contacts (via the web version or app on Xiaomi).

⚠️ Note: If you use two-factor authentication on Apple ID, Signing into iCloud.com on your computer may require generating a confirmation code on a trusted device (e.g., on the same iPhone).

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Before exporting contacts from iCloud, check if they are duplicated. To do this, in the Contacts section, click Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac), then select File → Export → Contact Archive. This will create a backup without duplicates.

Method 3: Direct copying via computer (Mac or Windows)

The most reliable, but also the most time-consuming, method is manual file transfer through a computer, and it's suitable for large amounts of data (50 GB+) And it's a guarantee that the original files are safe without compression. Lightning/USB-C → USB iPhone and cable for Xiaomi (usually) USB-C).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and unlock it. In the window on your iPhone, select Trust this computer.
2. Open Explorer and go to This Computer → Apple iPhone → Internal Storage → DCIM (for photo/video) or Books (for books).
3. Copy the desired files to your computer (for example, in a folder on the desktop).
4. Connect Xiaomi in File Transfer (MTP) mode (when you see a request on your phone, select this option).
5. Move the files to the appropriate folders on Xiaomi (e.g. DCIM/Camera for photo).

Instructions for Mac:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac and open the Photo Program (for media files) or Finder (for other data).
2. In Photos, select the desired images and export them through File → Export → Export [N] photos.
3. Connect Xiaomi and use Android File Transfer (download from the official website) transfer files.

⚠️ Note: On a Mac with an Apple Silicon chip (M1/M2) Android File Transfer may not work, so use the alternative, OpenMTP (free in the App Store) or Commander One.

Method 4: Using third-party applications (SHAREit, Send Anywhere)

If you need to move data quickly and without a computer, you can use cross-platform applications to transfer files, the most popular ones are SHAREit, Send Anywhere and Xender, which are P2P (device-to-device) and do not require cloud storage.

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Transmission speeds up to 20 MB/s (faster than cable on old ones) USB 2.0).
• 🔗 No restrictions on file type (can be transferred) APK, ZIP, document).
• 🌐 It works without the Internet (only a local network is needed).

Instructions for Send Anywhere:

1. Install the app on both devices (App Store for iPhone, Google Play for Xiaomi).
2. On iPhone, select files to send and click Send.
3. 6-digit code is generated or QR-code.
4. On Xiaomi, enter this code in the Get field.
5. Confirm the transmission on both devices.

⚠️ Note: When transferring large files (>4 GB) via SHAREit or Xender, the application can freeze:

• Break files into archives of 2-3 GB (use WinRAR or 7-Zip).
• Turn off battery optimization for the application in Xiaomi settings (Settings → Applications → Permissions → AutoRun).

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To transfer apps (APKs) from iPhone to Xiaomi, first export their backups via iTunes (if supported), then find analogs on Google Play. Direct porting of installed iOS apps to Android is impossible due to different formats (.ipa vs.apk).

Method 5: Message transfer and call history

Messages from iMessage and call history are some of the hardest to move data, and Apple doesn't provide official tools to export them, so you'll have to use workarounds.

To transfer SMS and iMessage:

1. On the iPhone, install the iMazing app (paid, but there is a trial version) or Backuptrans.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and export your messages to CSV or HTML.
3. Open a file on your computer and manually copy important messages (or import to Google Messages via Google Drive).

To transfer the call history:

1. Use iExplorer (paid) to export call logs to CSV.
2. Import the file to Google Contacts (Other → Import).
3. On Xiaomi, sync your contacts with Google Account (Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync).

⚠️ Note: Free messaging export apps (e.g. iMessage Exporter) often store data in an inconvenient format. Before buying paid software, check if it supports exporting to Google Messages or if it supports exporting to Google Messages. SMS Backup & Restore (a popular Android backup app) SMS).

What to do if the data is not moved or damaged

Even with a careful transfer, some of the data can be lost or opened with errors.

If some files are missing after transfer to Xiaomi:

1. Check the Internal Storage → MIUI → Backup → AllBackup folder – sometimes the data is saved there.
2. Use a file manager with a search (such as Solid Explorer) and look for files by extension (such as *.jpg).
3. If the transfer was through Mi Mover, check the error log in Settings → About phone → Data Transfer → Log.

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After transferring the data, make sure to back up to Xiaomi: go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup. This will protect your data in future resets or updates.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data transfer from iPhone to Xiaomi