The shift from Apple’s ecosystem to Android, particularly Xiaomi’s, is often accompanied by a search for solutions to one of the most pressing challenges of all: keeping the messaging history of messaging apps. For a long time, the transfer of WhatsApp data between iOS and Android was technically impossible without the use of third-party, often paid and insecure software.
Users can now legally and free-of-charge move all their chats, media files and settings to a new gadget, a process that requires attention to detail, as direct sync via the iCloud or Google Drive cloud does not occur between different OSes. You will need to physically connect devices or use specialized software preinstalled in the system. MIUI or hyperos.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, focusing on the official cable method and alternatives for cases where wired connection is not possible, and discuss the nuances of working with backups and answer the questions that users often have when changing platforms.
Preparation of devices before the migration
Before you start taking action, you need to make sure that both smartphones are fully ready for the data transfer procedure. Ignoring the preparatory stage can lead to errors in the process or loss of information. The first step is to update the software on both devices to the latest available versions.
Your iPhone should have iOS version 15.5 or later, and Xiaomi smartphone should have the current version of Android (usually 12 and above).It is also critical that the WhatsApp app on the iPhone be updated to the latest version through the App Store. On the new phone, the app is not yet necessary to install if you plan to use the initial setup method.
- 🔋 Make sure that both devices are at least 50% charged or connected to a power source.
- ☁️ Check if there is free space in Xiaomi memory to accommodate all the archives.
- 📶 Turn it off. VPN Proxies on both smartphones so they don’t block the local connection.
- 📱 Unlock the iPhone screen and keep it on during the entire process.
Special attention should be paid to the account. The phone number on the new device should match the number associated with the WhatsApp account on the old phone. If you change the number, first transfer the data to the old number, and then change it in the application settings on the new device.
⚠️ Note: Don’t try to restore backup from Google Drive to iPhone or from iCloud to Android directly.These cloud storages are incompatible for cross-platform WhatsApp porting.
Official method of transfer via Lightning-USB cable
The most reliable and quickest way to migrate is through cable, which Google and WhatsApp have implemented support for data transfer directly when you first set up your Android smartphone. For Xiaomi owners, this method is also available and often integrated into the original setup wizard.
You'll need a Lightning-to-USB cable (a normal iPhone charging wire). Connect your iPhone to the USB port of your new Xiaomi phone. If you've already set up your phone, you may need to reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset) to activate the migration menu, or use the "Second Space" feature or special portability utilities if they support WhatsApp.
When you configure a new Xiaomi device, when the system suggests copying apps and data, select the copy option from your iPhone. Follow the instructions on the screen. When you request WhatsApp data port, confirm the action. The iPhone screen will appear. QR-WhatsApp code or request to open WhatsApp – agree.
The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the volume of your chats and the speed of the transfer. It is important not to turn off the cable or block the screens of the devices. Once completed, the new phone will be notified about the readiness of the data for import.
☑️ Checklist of preparation for transfer by cable
Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transmission
If you can’t use the cable, or you’ve already set up your Xiaomi and don’t want to reset, Mi Mover comes to the rescue, a built-in app designed specifically to migrate data to Xiaomi devices, and allows you to transfer contacts, photos, apps and, in some versions and configurations, instant messenger data.
To get started, install or open the Mi Mover app on both devices. On iPhone, it's available in the App Store. Run the app on Xiaomi and select Receiver and on iPhone, Sender. Devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, or an iPhone can connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot created by a Xiaomi phone.
After the connection, scan. QR-code displayed on Xiaomi's screen, using an iPhone. In the data list, find the "WhatsApp" or "Messengers" section. It is worth noting that support for directly transferring WhatsApp chat history via Mi Mover can vary depending on the version MIUI and regional firmware.
- 📲 Open Mi Mover on both devices.
- 📡 Connect your iPhone to the Wi-Fi network created by Xiaomi.
- 📂 Select the WhatsApp data category for transfer.
- 🚀 Click "Start Transmission" and wait until it is completed.
What if Mi Mover doesn’t see WhatsApp?
If live chats via Mi Mover are not available in your version of the software, the app will still be useful for transferring the rest of the data: contacts, photos and videos, which will make room for manually installing WhatsApp and setting up a new number.
Alternative methods and work with local copies
In situations where standard methods don’t work, users often turn to local backups. On iPhone, WhatsApp stores data in a secure container, and direct access to database files (msgstore.db) is limited. However, there are methods of exporting individual chats.
You can export important conversations via email. Open a WhatsApp chat on your iPhone, click on the contact or group name at the top, scroll down and select "Send chat." You can send a history of correspondence without or with media files. This will not restore the chat in the Android app, but will save the text history in readable form.
| Method | Keeps the media alive. | Restores in the appendix | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable (Move to iOS / Setup) | Yes. | Yes (fully) | Low. |
| Mi Mover | Partially. | Depends on the version. | Medium |
| Chat export (Email) | Optionally. | No (text only) | Low. |
| Third-party software (PC/Mac) | Yes. | Yes (with risks) | Tall. |
There are also paid PC software that can convert iCloud backups to a format that Android understands. Using such software requires extreme caution, since you share your personal data with third parties.
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If you are using the enterprise version of WhatsApp Business, the transfer procedure may be different, so make sure that the new device is running the Business version, not the regular WhatsApp, otherwise it will be impossible to restore the archive.
Completion of settings and activation on Xiaomi
Once the data transfer process is successfully completed, regardless of the method chosen, the activation stage begins: Install WhatsApp from Google Play Store on your Xiaomi if it hasn't already done so. Launch the app and enter the same phone number that was used on the iPhone.
The system will detect the local backup created during the migration and prompt it to be restored. Click Restore. Importantly, don't skip this step, as it won't be possible to recover data from that particular copy later. Wait until the import of messages and media files is completed.
Once restored, check the integrity of the data. Open a few dialogs, make sure the media files are downloaded. Group chats should appear automatically, but you will need to log in again if you log out. Contacts should be pulled up from the Xiaomi phone book if you have allowed access to contacts.
⚠️ Note: After successfully porting and activating WhatsApp on Android, the app on iPhone will no longer receive new messages. Your account is now tied to the new device.
Possible problems and solutions
There can be technical difficulties in migrating, and one of the common problems is that the process freezes at a certain percentage, often due to an unstable connection or a power-saving system blocking the process, and make sure that the phone screen does not go out during transmission.
Another common error is “Failure to restore backup.” This could mean that the Android version of WhatsApp is older than the iPhone, or that the file system is corrupted. Try updating the app on Google Play or clearing the WhatsApp app cache (Settings → Apps → WhatsApp → Memory → Clear cache).
If you encounter a media problem (photos and videos are not loaded), check the app's permissions. In MIUI or HyperOS, you need to manually allow WhatsApp to access memory and files. Go to Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Permissions and enable access to files and media.
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Connectivity stability and the same versions of WhatsApp on both devices are key factors in successful transfers without data loss.