How to transfer data from Xiaomi to iPhone: 5 proven ways (2026)

Why migrating data from Android to iOS is not as easy as it seems

Transition from Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO On the iPhone, it's not just a change of smartphone, it's a transition between two fundamentally different ecosystems. If inside Android, data is synchronized through a Google Account, then iOS uses iCloud and its own storage formats, which creates major challenges: From backup incompatibility to limitations on transferring certain file types.

Many users are faced with the fact that the standard application “Switching to iOS” from Apple is unstable or refuses to transfer data at all. MIUI Before conflicts with Xiaomi’s Chinese services (e.g. Mi Cloud), in this article we will discuss all the current methods of transfer – from official to alternative – as well as how to avoid data loss and why some files may not move.

We’ll focus on porting messages from Mi Messages and WhatsApp — that’s the most problematic part, as Apple and Xiaomi use different chat storage protocols, and you’ll learn how to properly prepare both devices to minimize the risk of crashes.

Preparing devices before transfer: 7 mandatory steps

Before you start the transfer, you need to perform a few critical actions: skipping at least one point can lead to data loss, process freeze or incomplete transfer of files, especially for owners of Xiaomi with custom firmware or unlocked downloader.

First, check the version. MIUI It's Xiaomi. It takes a stable transition to iOS. MIUI 12 or later. If you have an older version, update it through Settings. → The phone. → System Update. Also make sure your iPhone has the latest version of iOS installed, which will eliminate most compatibility bugs.

• 📱 Update. MIUI until the latest version (minimum) MIUI 12)
• 🔋 Charge both devices at least to the 50% (transfer 1-2 hour)
• 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi (do not use mobile internet!)
• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache
• 🔒 Disable ad blockers (they can block the connection)
• 📁 Backup on Xiaomi via Mi Cloud or Google Drive
• 🔄 Reset your network settings on Xiaomi (sometimes helps with connection errors)

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi has a global firmware with a regional restriction (e.g., India or China), the iOS Switch app may not start.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Delete unnecessary files (free up 5)+ GB memory)

Disable VPN and proxy

Enable the Developer Mode (if required)

Check the availability of free space on the iPhone (at least 20% of the volume of data transferred)

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Method 1: The official application “Switch to iOS” – pros and pitfalls

Apple’s most obvious and recommended way is to use the “Move to iOS” app, which is available on Google Play and is designed specifically for migrating from Android to iOS, but it has limitations that few people warn about.

The annex carries:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and contact notes)
• 📷 Photos and videos (but not in original quality if stored in Google Photos)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders
• 📍 Browser bookmarks (only from Chrome)
• 🎵 Playlists (but not music files themselves)
• 📱 Screen settings (brightness, wallpaper - partially)

What's NOT tolerable:

• 🚫 Apps (only links to them in the App Store)
• 🚫 Messages from Mi Messages (only) SMS, not MMS)
• 🚫 WhatsApp and other messengers (separate transfer required)
• 🚫 Files from Mi Drive and other Xiaomi cloud services
• 🚫 Security settings (fingerprints, Face) ID)

Instructions for use:

1. On iPhone, when you first set up, select Transfer Data from Android.
2. On Xiaomi, install Switch to iOS from Google Play.
3. Launch the app on Xiaomi and follow the instructions (enter the code that will appear on your iPhone).
4. Select the data to transfer and wait until it is completed (may take up to 1 hour).

⚠️ Warning: If the process is stuck in the "Minutes Only" phase, don't interrupt it for 30 minutes. Sometimes the application takes a long time to process large amounts of photos. If after that time nothing has changed, restart both devices and try again.

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If the iOS Switch app doesn’t see the iPhone, check if Xiaomi has enabled Data Transfer in its Wi-Fi settings. Also try connecting to another network or using a mobile hotspot on a third device.

Method 2: Transferring your Google Account is universal, but not perfect

If the official app doesn’t work or doesn’t transfer all the data, you can use Google Account as an intermediate storage method, which is suitable for contacts, calendars, mail and part of files, but has limits on the amount of free storage (15 GB).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI iOS
• ✅ No need for direct connection between devices
• ✅ Data can be moved in stages

How to transfer data:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable sync for Contacts, Calendar and Google Drive.
2. Upload the necessary files (photos, videos, documents) to Google Drive.
3. On iPhone, add the same Google Account through Settings → Passwords and accounts.
4. Enable synchronization of Contacts and Calendars (download files via Google Drive app).

Limitations:

• 📉 Photos and videos will be compressed if there are many (free Google Photos tariff compresses files over 15 GB).
• 📉 Messages and calls are not transferred.
• 📉 Some files (such as app backups) may not open on iOS.

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If you use Google Photos to transfer media files, check in advance if there is enough space in the cloud. Alternatively, buy extra storage temporarily (100GB costs). ~150 RUB/month) or use a physical drive.

Method 3: Direct transmission over cable (no clouds or Wi-Fi)

If you don't have a stable Internet, or you don't trust cloud services, you can transfer data directly through the cable. USB-C/Lightning A cable (or adapter) and a computer (Windows or Mac) are suitable for large amounts of data (100+ GB) and guarantees the preservation of the original quality of files.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Copy the folders you need (DCIM for photos, Downloads for downloads, etc.) to your computer.
3. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on Mac).
4. In the Files section, drag the copied data into the iPhone memory.
5. For photos and videos, use iTunes → Photo Photo → Sync photos (select a folder on your computer).

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Maximum speed (up to 40 MB/s when used) USB 3.0)
• 📁 The original quality of the files is maintained
• 🔒 No dependence on the Internet

⚠️ Note: When connecting Xiaomi to a Mac, you may need to install the Android File Transfer driver. On Windows 11, you sometimes need to manually turn on the mode MTP via Device Manager.

Method 4: Transferring WhatsApp and other messengers is a separate story

One of the most difficult aspects of moving from Xiaomi to iPhone is transferring the history of correspondence from instant messengers. WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber store data in different formats, and the standard methods do not work here.

WhatsApp:

• Meta officially supports chat transfer only when you initially set up your iPhone via Switch to iOS.
• If the iPhone is already configured, you will have to use third-party tools like Backuptrans or iMazing (paid, ~$40).
• WhatsApp backup on Xiaomi should be fresh (no older than 7 days), otherwise the transfer will not work.

Telegram:

• The easiest messenger to transfer is to export chats to Telegram Desktop and download them to the iPhone.
• Open a chat on Xiaomi → ⋮ → Exports of history → Choose the.json or.html format.
• Transfer the file to your iPhone via AirDrop or email, then import to Telegram on your iPhone.

Viber:

• There is no official way to transfer, but you can use a backup copy to Google Drive.
• On Xiaomi, create a backup: Settings → Account. → Backup copy.
• On the iPhone, install Viber, log in and wait for the offer to restore the history (sometimes you need to manually specify the path to the backup).

WhatsApp

Telegram

Viber

Other

I don't use messengers.

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Method 5: Alternative transfer programs (paid but reliable)

If standard methods don't work, specialized programs come to the rescue, and they're paid for, but they offer advanced features: transferring applications, game saves, notes and even system settings.-3 decision.

1. iMazing (from) $40)

• ✅ Transferring messages (SMS, MMS, iMessage), WhatsApp, calls.
• ✅ Supports backups to the cloud.
• ✅ It works on Windows and Mac.
• ❌ Requires installation on a computer.

2. Backuptrans (from) $30)

• ✅ Specializes in WhatsApp, WeChat porting, LINE.
• ✅ Save attachments (photos, videos, voice messages).
• ✅ There is a free trial version (with limitations).

3. MobileTrans (from $40)

• ✅ Transfers apps (with settings), music, books.
• ✅ Supports Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei, etc.
• ✅ There is a function of cleaning the old device after transfer.

⚠️ Note: Before buying, check if the program supports your Xiaomi model. For example, MobileTrans may not work with some devices on the device. MIUI 14 due to changes in the data transfer protocol.

What to do if the data is not transferred or not fully transferred

Even with the right instructions, sometimes you fail, and here are the typical problems and solutions.

Problem 1: The iOS transition is suspended during the “Data Preparation” stage.

• 🔹 Reboot both devices.
• 🔹 Turn it off. VPN Advertising Blockers on Xiaomi.
• 🔹 Check if there is enough space on the iPhone (at least 20% free space is required).

Problem 2: The photos were moved, but without dates and albums.

• 🔹 Use Google Photos to transfer – it saves metadata.
• 🔹 On the iPhone after the transfer open Photo → Albums. → Imported and hand-distribute photos by album.

Problem 3: Contacts are duplicated or displayed incorrectly.

• 🔹 On iPhone go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts and disable sync with unnecessary accounts.
• 🔹 Use Contacts Cleanup to remove duplicates.

Problem 4: WhatsApp didn’t carry the story, even though the backup was created.

• 🔹 Make sure your iPhone has the same version of WhatsApp as Xiaomi.
• 🔹 Check that the backup on Google Drive is no older than 7 days.
• 🔹 If you use iMazing, make sure that your iPhone is not blocked during the transfer.

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If none of these things work, the last option is manually porting. Copy all the important files onto your computer, then upload them to your iPhone via iCloud Drive or Files. For contacts, export them to a.vcf file and import them through Contacts on your iPhone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Data Transfer from Xiaomi to iPhone