How to transfer WhatsApp data from iPhone to Xiaomi: all the ways 2026

Switching from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is a crucial step, especially if you actively use WhatsApp for work or personal correspondence. The main problem is that the messenger does not support cross-platform data transfer through the cloud, as Google Drive or iCloud do. But there is a way out! In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of transferring chats, media files and settings, from the official method using cable to workaround solutions for older models.

It is important to understand that the process depends on the versions of iOS and MIUI, Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi) 13T They have different chips, and whether WhatsApp is updated to the latest version, and we tested all the methods on devices in 2022-2026 and identified key nuances that save hours of time. For example, the transfer via the Lightning-USB-C cable works only on Xiaomi with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and later, and older models will require a workaround.

If you're ready to start, start by checking the device requirements. If you're in doubt about your method, scroll through to the method comparison table section or answer a quick survey below to give us a good idea.

Official method: Cable transfer (recommended)

The most reliable way is to use the “Transfer Chats” feature that WhatsApp added in 2021, which runs on an iPhone running iOS 15.+ Xiaomi with Android 10+, But there are strict limits:

• 📱 The iPhone must be installed WhatsApp version 2.22.10.70 or later.
• 🔌 You will need the original Lightning-USB-C cable (or adapter if you have a Xiaomi connector). USB-A).
• 🔋 Charge of both devices – at least 80% (process can take up to 1 hour).
• 📶 Xiaomi must have WhatsApp installed in the same version as the iPhone (check Settings). → Reference).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your iPhone to Xiaomi with a cable. On Xiaomi, select File Transfer Mode (not Charge) in the notification bar.
2. Open WhatsApp on iPhone, go to Settings → chat → Hand over the chats → Start.
3. On Xiaomi, install WhatsApp (if not already installed), open it and confirm the phone number (should match the number on the iPhone).
4. The iPhone will appear on the iPhone QR-Code – scan it with Xiaomi camera.
5. Wait until the transfer is complete. Don't turn off the cable even if the screen goes out.

Install the latest version of WhatsApp on both devices|

Check the battery charge (minimum 80%)|

Prepare the original Lightning-USB-C cable|

Turn it off. VPN and energy saving mode Xiaomi|

Make a backup of iCloud (in case of a crash)

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⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi has custom firmware installed (e.g. LineageOS), the official port may not work. In this case, use the method with backup via iCloud (Section 3).

2 Device requirements: why the transfer may not work

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter errors, the main reason being incompatibility between the hardware and the software.

Pay special attention to the Xiaomi model:

• 📲 On devices with a MediaTek chip (such as the Redmi Note 11) you may need to enable Debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times).
• 🔒 On Xiaomi with a blocked bootloader (most global versions), cable transfer works without additional settings.
• ⚡ If you POCO F4 GT or other game model, disable performance mode in Settings → Special facilities.

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Before transferring, check the processor model on Xiaomi: go to Settings → The phone. → Full specification → CPU model. If you have Snapdragon, you shouldn't have any problems. If MediaTek, you should be ready to manually set up debugging.

3. Alternative method: transfer via iCloud and local backup

If the official method did not work (for example, due to an older version of Android), you can use the workaround:

1. Create a WhatsApp backup on your iPhone in iCloud (Settings) → chat → Backup).
2. Install the iCareFone Transfer app on Xiaomi (or analogues: Backuptrans, Dr.Fone).
3. Connect your iPhone to your computer, export the WhatsApp backup to the.zip file.
4. Connect Xiaomi, import data to WhatsApp via the same program.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on all versions of iOS and Android.
• ✅ Stores the history of messages, media, voices and stickers.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Computer required (Windows/Mac).
• ❌ Paid programs (from 300-1000)₽ license).
• ❌ Risk of data loss in case of incorrect export.

⚠️ Note: When using iCareFone, disable the antivirus (such as Avast or Kaspersky) as it can block access to the iCloud backup.

4. Computer-free transfer: cloud services and mail

If you don’t have a cable or computer, you can manually transfer the most important chats:

Method 1: Exporting chat by email

1. On your iPhone, open the desired chat in WhatsApp.
2. Click on the contact name → Chat exports → Choose No Media (or With Media if needed).
3. Send the file to your email (e.g. Gmail or Mi Mail).
4. On Xiaomi, open the email and save the file.txt or.zip.

Method 2: Google Drive (for media files only)

• 📁 Upload photos and videos from WhatsApp to Google Photos on iPhone.
• 🔄 On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and download files.
• 📎 Manually attach them to WhatsApp chats (message history will not be saved!).

These methods are suitable for transferring individual files, but do not replace a full backup.

• 🗓️ Dates and times of communications.
• 🔊 Voice communications.
• 🏷️ Tags and fixed chats.

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Email export is the only way to transfer chats without a computer, but it doesn't keep the structure of the correspondence, it's only suitable for archival purposes, not for full recovery.

5. Frequent errors and their solution

Even with the right actions, users are facing problems. TOP-5 errors and ways of correcting them:

Error 1: “I couldn’t find a backup copy”

Reason: Xiaomi has a different phone number than the iPhone.

Solution: Remove WhatsApp on Xiaomi, re-install and confirm the same number as the one on the iPhone.

Mistake 2: Transfers are 99% overloaded

Reason: Lack of memory on Xiaomi or interrupted connection.

Decision:

• 📉 Free up space on Xiaomi (delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a memory card).
• 🔌 Reconnect the cable and try again.
• 🔄 Reboot both devices.

Error 3: "This is a backup from another type of device"

Reason: You are trying to restore the iCloud backup on Android through standard means.

Solution: Use third-party programs (Backuptrans or iCareFone) – they convert the backup format.

Error 4: No sound in voice messages after transfer

Reason: The.caf (iOS) audio file format is not supported on Android.

Solution: Use a converter (e.g. Online-Convert) to convert to.mp3.

Mistake 5: Stickers are missing and GIF

Reason: Stickers are tied to the App Store and are not portable to Android.

Solution: Install sticker packages again through Google Play.

6.Moving to specific Xiaomi models: nuances

Depending on the Xiaomi model, the process may differ, and we tested the portability on popular devices:

For devices with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi Note 11 or Xiaomi 11 Lite) NE) before transfer, perform:

Settings → Additional → For developers → Enable debugging by USB

On Xiaomi with Snapdragon (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or Black Shark 5) additional settings are not required, but we recommend turning off. MIUI Optimization in Developer Settings to Speed Up the Process.

7. Saving media files: photos, videos, documents

Even if the chat history is successful, media files (photos, videos, documents) may not show up in the Xiaomi gallery.

Step 1: Check the WhatsApp folder

On Xiaomi, open the files. → Internal memory. → WhatsApp → Media, there must be folders:

• 📸 WhatsApp Images - photo
• 🎥 WhatsApp Video - Video
• 🎵 WhatsApp Audio – Voice and Music Files
• 📄 WhatsApp Documents - Documents

Step 2: Renovate the gallery

If there are files but are not displayed in the Gallery:

1. Open the gallery. → Settings → Update media files.
2. Or reboot the device.

Step 3: Transfer through Google Photos (alternative)

If the files are not transferred:

1. On your iPhone, upload media from WhatsApp to Google Photos.
2. On Xiaomi, log in to the same Google account and download files.
3. Manually move them to the WhatsApp Media folder.

⚠️ Note: If you used iCloud to back up your media, the files may be in format.HEIC (photo.MOV (On Android, they won't open without converting. Use apps like this. HEIC to JPG Converter.

8.What to do after the transfer: set up WhatsApp on Xiaomi

After a successful transfer, follow a few steps to make WhatsApp work correctly:

• 🔄 Update the app to the latest version via Google Play.
• 🔔 Enable Media Autoboot: Settings → Warehouse → Autoboot media.
• 🔒 Set up a backup on Google Drive: Settings → chat → Backup.
• 📱 Activate notifications: Settings → Notifications → Turn it on.

If, after transfer:

• ❌ No messages coming – check your internet connection and sync settings.
• ❌ No old chats – repeat the transfer or check if you have restored the WhatsApp account.
• ❌ Slow application – clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse.

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Once the transfer is made, make sure to back up to Google Drive! is the only way to save chats when you reinstall WhatsApp or change your phone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions