How to transfer data from Xiaomi to iPhone 12: step-by-step instructions

Changing from Android to iOS is always stressful, with the risk of losing important files, settings and habits. However, switching from Xiaomi to the new iPhone 12 has become much easier thanks to Apple’s official tools and third-party solutions. Modern technology allows you to clone a user’s digital life in minutes, if you know the right sequence of actions.

In this article, we’ll look at the most reliable migration methods that ensure your photos, contacts, and correspondence history are safe, and how to avoid common mistakes that beginners often make when first setting up iOS. Proper preparation of both devices is key to successfully completing the process without having to start over.

Before you start, make sure both smartphones are charged at least 60-70% and connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.The process of transferring a large amount of data can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the memory capacity of your old Xiaomi.Ignoring this requirement can lead to connection interruption and file corruption.

Preparing devices for data migration

The first and most critical step is to properly prepare both hardware and software for both gadgets. On Xiaomi’s side, you need to make sure that the MIUI operating system is updated to the latest available version, as older versions may have compatibility conflicts with Apple’s transfer protocols.

On the iPhone 12 side, the situation is even more demanding: the device must be in the initial setup stage, that is, on the greeting screen ("Hello"). If the phone has already been activated and you are using it, using the official method will require a complete reset, which is a radical but often the only solution for a clean migration without junk files.

⚠️ Warning: Before you start any manipulation, be sure to back up your data on Xiaomi in the Mi Cloud or on your computer.This is your insurance against unforeseen software failures.

Check for free space on the target device. The amount of memory available on the iPhone 12 must exceed the amount of data occupied by Xiaomi. Otherwise, the process will be interrupted halfway, and you will get a partially ported system that will have to be restored manually.

Official method: Move to iOS app

The most reliable and recommended way is to use the tool Move to iOS, developed directly by Apple engineers. This tool creates a secure local Wi-Fi network between two devices and transmits data in encrypted form without using Internet traffic.

Once you run the app on your Android device and select the "Move Android Data" option on your iPhone, you'll see a six-digit code. Type this code into the field on Xiaomi, and the devices will establish a connection. It's important at this point not to switch to other apps or block the screen, as this can break the virtual network being created.

When selecting content to transfer, the system will prompt you to optimize the size of photos and videos. If you choose the "Original" option, the quality of media files will remain, but the transmission time will increase significantly. For most users, compression, which is almost invisible on the smartphone screen, is the best choice.

Transfer of messengers: WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram

The official WhatsApp port is now supported via the Move to iOS utility, but requires a number of conditions. Your version of WhatsApp on Xiaomi must be at least a certain version (usually 2.22.12.18 or later), and your iPhone must be installed with a clean iOS 15.5 or higher.

For Viber and Telegram, the situation is different: these applications store the history of correspondence in the cloud or require the creation of a local backup. In Telegram, all chats are synchronized automatically after entering the phone number, since the database is stored on the messenger servers. Viber needs to create a backup copy on Google Drive in advance, but you can not restore it to the iPhone directly – you will have to use paid third-party snails or start correspondence again.

• 📱 WhatsApp: Use the Chat Transfer feature inside the app while setting up your iPhone or via Move to iOS.
• 💬 Telegram: Just download the application and log in, all data will be downloaded automatically.
• 📞 Viber: Requires the creation of a local backup and use of the PC version for export, or manual transfer.

Make sure you have access to your phone number and backup codes before transferring, as the iPhone 12 may request sign-in confirmation when you first log in to the new platform.

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Tip: Before transferring WhatsApp, clear the Status folder and remove unnecessary large videos from chat rooms, which will speed up the backup process and reduce the risk of errors when converting the database.

Synchronization of contacts, calendar and mail

The contact book is the skeleton of your digital identity, and it is not to be lost. The cleanest way to transfer it is to sync through your Google account. On Xiaomi, make sure that your Google account settings enable contact sync. Once you enter the same Gmail address on your iPhone 12 (under Settings → Contacts → Accounts), all the records will appear automatically.

If you used locally stored contacts on Xiaomi (in your phone’s memory, not Google), you’ll have to export them in.vcf. You can send the file to your email or save it to cloud storage, and then open it on your iPhone, which will trigger the import process.

Calendars and notes are also best transferred through a Google or Exchange account subscription, and in iOS, this is done through the account add menu where you choose "Google" or "Other", and once logged in, the system will prompt you to turn on calendar and note toggles, making them available in standard Apple apps.

Alternative methods: cloud and PC

If wireless transmission is causing problems or is too slow, you can use your PC as an intermediate link. By connecting Xiaomi to your computer, copy the DCIM, Download and Documents folders to your hard drive. Then connect your iPhone 12 and sync your photos and files via iTunes (or Finder on a Mac).

Cloud services like Google Photos or Yandex.Disk allow you to transfer the media library to the background. Install the application on Xiaomi, turn on autoload and wait until it ends. On iPhone, you just install the same application or configure sync with iCloud Photos. This method is ideal for those who do not want to connect two phones with wires or create a direct network.

For users who prefer full control of the file system, there are paid management programs (such as iCareFone or AnyTrans), which allow you to selectively transfer messages, call history and applications, converting them to a format understandable by iOS.

Typical errors and their solution

One of the most common problems is interrupting Wi-Fi connection while moving to iOS. This often happens if Xiaomi has enabled Channel Aggregation or Network Acceleration, which tries to use mobile internet to speed up loading.

Another common mistake is lack of space: users often forget that system files and app cache take up more space than they think. Before migrating, audit the gallery and remove duplicates. Also check if iCloud is crowded if you plan to use it for backup in the future.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the transfer process even if the screen is gone or the phone appears to be getting stuck. 90-99% It can damage the iPhone file system, which will require it to be flashed through the computer.

If contacts are not displayed correctly after transfer (for example, all in the same line or without names), check the format of the import. Sometimes it helps to delete all contacts on the iPhone and re-import through the file.vcf, having previously cleared the cache of the "Contacts" application.

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The most stable result is given by a combination of methods: contacts and calendar through a Google account, photos via Move to iOS or the cloud, and instant messengers through built-in migration functions within the applications themselves.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions