How to transfer photos from iCloud to Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

Transferring photos from iCloud to Xiaomi is a challenge that many users face when switching from iPhone to Android. While the Apple and Xiaomi ecosystems work on different principles, there are several reliable ways to upload media files without losing quality. The main difficulty is the lack of an official iCloud app for Android, but that doesn’t mean the process is impossible.

In this article, we will discuss 5 current methods, from using the web version of iCloud to synchronizing through third-party services, and pay special attention to the nuances that arise when working with Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 models, where file storage settings may differ, and learn how to avoid common errors, such as interrupting downloads due to mobile traffic restrictions or format incompatibility.

Why you can’t just copy photos from iCloud to Xiaomi

At first glance, it may seem like downloading files from the cloud and transferring them to your phone, but in practice, users face several technical barriers:

• 🔒 Apple's closed ecosystem: iCloud photos are stored in proprietary format HEIC, which is not supported by most Android devices (including Xiaomi).
• 📱 Unlike Google Drive or Mi Cloud, iCloud does not have a native client for Android, making it difficult to sync directly.
• 🌐 Web version limitations: You can only download 1,000 photos at a time through a browser, and with a lot of data, the process is interrupted.
• 📶 Mobile Internet problems: downloading large archives through 4G/5G It can be blocked by the operator or lead to additional costs.

Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 14+ firmware also have their own limitations on external storage, such as the Gallery app may not display files downloaded through third-party managers until the manual media scan is done.

⚠️ Note: If you are using two-factor authentication (2FA) Apple ID, Signing into iCloud via a browser will require a trusted device (such as an iPhone or Mac) to confirm the code.

Method 1: Uploading via the web version of iCloud (the most versatile)

This method is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 10/11 series and POCO X5, as it does not require the installation of additional applications.

Step-by-step:

1. Open your browser on your phone and go to iCloud.com.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID (if necessary, enter the 2FA code from a trusted device).
3. Select the Photos section.
4. Click Select and select the photos you want (or use Ctrl+A on your PC to highlight everyone).
5. Tap on the Download icon (cloud with a down arrow). Files will be packed in.ZIP-archive.
6. Once you download the archive, open it with Mi File Manager or RAR (if the phone doesn’t support built-in unpacking).

If the photos are uploaded in.HEIC format, they must be converted to.JPG.

• 📱 Install the app HEIC to JPG Converter from Google Play.
• 🖼️ Select files and press Convert.
• 📁 Save the results to the folder. DCIM/Camera for automatic display in the gallery.

Battery charge > 50%

Connecting to Wi-Fi (not mobile internet)

Free space on the phone (minimum 2x of the photo volume)

VPN/proxy disabled (can block iCloud)

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Pros: no software installation, works on any device, cons: limit to 1000 photos at a time, errors are possible with a large amount of data.

Method 2: Sync with Google Photos (for automatic transfer)

If you need to update your photos from iCloud to Xiaomi regularly, the best option is to use Google Photos as an intermediary storage, which is suitable for iPhone and Xiaomi owners at the same time.

Algorithm of action:

1. On iPhone: Open Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Photos. Activate Upload to My Photo Stream. Install Google Photos and log in to your Google account. In Google Photos settings, turn on Backup and Sync.
2. On Xiaomi: Install Google Photos and log in to the same account. Wait for the sync to complete (may take minutes to hours depending on the volume) Open the Gallery app on Xiaomi, and the photos will appear on the Google Photos album.

This method is convenient because after the initial setup, photos will automatically sync between devices. However, keep in mind that Google Photos compresses images when you exceed the free storage limit (15 GB).

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If the photos are not displayed in the Xiaomi gallery, open Settings → Apps → Gallery → Memory and click Clear Data. After restarting, the app will scan the folders again.

Method 3: Use the iCloud application for Windows (for PC users)

If you have a Windows computer, you can upload photos from iCloud to your PC and then upload them to Xiaomi via the Internet. USB-This method is suitable for large archives (thousands of photos) and guarantees the preservation of original quality.

Instructions:

1. Download and install iCloud for Windows.
2. Open the program and log in to your Apple ID.
3. Enable the Photo option and click the Settings next to it.
4. Select Upload new photos and videos to my PC and specify a folder to save (e.g., C:\Users\[Name]\Pictures\iCloud Photos).
5. Wait for the download to be completed (time depends on the speed of the Internet and the amount of data).
6. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode on your phone).
7. Copy photos from the iCloud folder to the DCIM or Pictures folder on your phone.

The advantage of this method is that there are no limits on the number of files and metadata (EXIF) saved. However, it requires a computer to work, which is not always convenient. Also note that iCloud for Windows can conflict with antiviruses (for example, Avast or Kaspersky) that block background processes.

⚠️ Note: When connecting Xiaomi to a PC through USB select mode MTP (Media Transfer Protocol, not the PTP. Otherwise, the files will not be displayed.

Through the web version of iCloud

Synchronization through Google Photos

iCloud App for Windows

Third-party file managers

Another option

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Method 4: Third-party file managers (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, due to iCloud locking in your area), you can use third-party file managers such as Solid Explorer, FX File Explorer or MiXplorer. These applications support connection to cloud storage, including iCloud Drive.

How to set up access:

1. Install Solid Explorer from Google Play.
2. Open the application and go to the Network → Add cloud storage.
3. Select iCloud Drive and log in with Apple ID.
4. After connecting, go to the Photos folder (or Mediatheque if you use Russian localization).
5. Select the files you want and click Download by specifying the folder on your phone (e.g. /storage/emulated/0/Download).

This method is convenient because it allows you to selectively download only the right albums or folders without downloading the entire archive, but some file managers may request additional permissions (for example, access to Storage), which raises security questions for users.

Among the downsides are possible synchronization errors with a large number of files and the need for manual configuration. For example, on Xiaomi 12T with MIUI 13, you may need to turn off battery optimization for the file manager to work in the background.

Method 5: Transfer via AirDrop (if you have access to a Mac)

If you or someone you know has a MacBook or iMac, you can use AirDrop to quickly transfer photos, which is suitable for a small number of files (up to 50-100 pieces) and guarantees the preservation of original quality.

How it works:

1. On Mac: Open Photos and select the photos you want. Right-click and select Share → AirDrop. Enable AirDrop in Settings → Sharing (make sure everyone is selected).
2. On Xiaomi: Install the AirDroid or Snapdrop app (the web version works without installation). Open Snapdrop in the browser on both devices. Drag files from the Mac to the phone icon in the browser.

This method is the fastest for transferring small batches of photos, but requires a Mac and a stable Wi-Fi connection. Also, consider that AirDrop between Apple and Android only works through intermediaries like Snapdrop or AirDroid, which can reduce the speed of transmission.

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To be transmitted via Snapdrop, both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, otherwise the files will not be detected.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you migrate photos from iCloud to Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🚫 “Insufficient Memory” Error: Delete Unnecessary Files or Transfer them to the Facility SD-Map (if supported) Use Google Drive (Mi Cloud) for temporary storage.
• 🔄 Photos not displayed in the gallery: Restart the Gallery app or clear its cache (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear cache. Check if files are hidden (in Mi File Manager, enable the display of hidden folders).
• 📱 iCloud won't open in your browser: Update your browser or try another (Firefox, Edge). VPN AdBlock – they can block authorization.
• ⏳ Long-load archive: Break up the download (500-800 photos at a time) and use Wi-Fi instead of mobile Internet.

If you encounter an iCloud login error (such as the “Verification Failed” code), check:

• 🔐 Apple's correctness of input ID and password.
• 📱 Availability of a trusted device for 2FA.
• 🌍 Regional Account Settings (some iCloud features are not available in some countries).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions