Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is a crucial step, especially if you’re an active gamer. The main challenge isn’t installing games (you can always download them from Google Play), but moving progress, purchases and accounts. Unlike Apple, where the ecosystem is closed, Android offers more flexibility but requires manual action.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to port save games, from cloud-based binding to manual file copying, and highlight popular games like Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Clash of Clans, where losing progress can mean hundreds of hours of time spent, and how to avoid common platform-to-platform migration mistakes and what to do if the game doesn’t support cross-platform portability.
1. Transfer through binding to social networks or gaming accounts
The most reliable and versatile way is to use external authorization through Google, Facebook, Apple ID, Mi Account or specialized gaming services like Game Center (for iOS) or Google Play Games (for Android). Most modern mobile games support such functionality, but there are nuances.
For example, in Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail from miHoYo, the binding to the Apple ID works only on iOS, so before switching to Xiaomi you need to:
- 🔗 Link your account to an email (in game settings).
- 📱 Install the game on Xiaomi via Google Play or APK.
- 🔄 Sign in via the same mail – progress will automatically pick up.
- ⚠️ Unlock Apple ID Successful migration (otherwise, conflict may occur).
For games from Supercell (Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars) the algorithm is simpler:
- On your iPhone, go to your game settings and link your account to Google Play Games (yes, it works even on iOS!).
- On Xiaomi, install the game, log in through the same Google account – progress is synchronized.
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If the game doesn’t offer a Google link, try logging in via Facebook or VK. The main thing is to use the same account on both platforms.
2. Manual copying of saves (for games without cloud synchronization)
Some games (especially offline or from smaller developers) do not support cloud-based saves, in which case you will have to manually copy files from your iPhone to Xiaomi.
- 💻 Computer (Mac or Windows) with installed iTunes/Finder and ADB (Android).
- 📡 USB-cables for both devices.
- 🔧 A program for working with Android files (for example, Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
Instructions for local save games (e.g. Minecraft, Stardew Valley):
- Connect your iPhone to your computer, open iTunes (or Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina and later).
- Go to Files → Sharing and find the folder with the game (usually Documents or Library inside the application directory).
- Copy the save files (most often with the.sav,.dat, or.json extension) to your computer.
- Connect Xiaomi to your PC, turn on Developer Mode and USB Debugging (in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version, press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
- Use the adb pull /sdcard/Android/data/ command to download current files from Xiaomi (if any), then replace them with those copied from your iPhone.
- Restart the game on Xiaomi – saves should catch up.
Where to look for popular games?
Important: the path to files on Android may vary depending on the version of MIUI. On new Xiaomi smartphones (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or Xiaomi 14) use /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/[game package]/files/.
3. use of specialized services (Helium, Send Anywhere)
If the game doesn't support the cloud and manual copying seems difficult, you can use third-party data porting utilities.
| Service | Pluses | Cons | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helium | Stores application data, including games | Requires root or PC to work full time | Offline games with local saves |
| Send Anywhere | Simple interface, Wi-Fi transmission | Not all games are supported | Transfer of upk + obb files |
| Mi Mover | Official decision from Xiaomi | It only works with some models. | Transfer contacts, photos, but not all games |
For Helium, the procedure is as follows:
- Install Helium on both devices (on your iPhone via AltStore or jailbreak).
- On the iPhone, create a backup copy of the game.
- Move the backup to Xiaomi via cloud or PC.
- On Xiaomi, recover data from the backup.
⚠️ Note: Helium does not work with games that use DRM-protection, for example, Pokémon GO They're just a Diablo Immortal, and they're just a link to an account.
4. Transfer of purchases and in-game currency
If you spent money on donates or bought in-game currency, their transfer depends on the payment system:
- 💳 App Store purchases: not portable to Android. Content will stay on iPhone, but if the game supports cross-platform (e.g. Fortnite), purchases will be available after you log in to your account.
- 💰 Google Play Shopping: If you’ve previously played Android and bought something there, the content will recover once you log in to the same Google account.
- 🎮 Direct purchases from the developer (e.g., through a game site): usually tied to the game account, not the platform.
For subscription games (such as Apple Arcade):
- The subscription is valid only on iOS – on Android you will have to make a new registration.
- Some games (such as Monument Valley) are sold separately on the App Store and Google Play, so you need to buy again.
5. Portability of games with APK + OBB (for power users)
If the game is not available on Google Play for your region or you want to migrate a modified version, you can copy it. APK and OBB-This method is suitable for games like Asphalt 9 or Need for Speed: No Limits.
Algorithm:
- Find it on your iPhone. IPA-game file (can be retrieved via iMazing or 3uTools).
- Convert your IPA to APK with online services (e.g. iPA to APK Converter – but be careful with viruses!).
- Download. OBB-a file (game data) from the Internet (e.g., with APKPure or OBB Games).
- Move the APK and OBB to Xiaomi in the /Android/obb/ [game package]/ folder.
- Install APK via Mi File Explorer or SAI (Split APK Installer).
⚠️ Attention: Installation APK Unverified sources may result in a game account being blocked (especially in Genshin Impact or in the game). PUBG Use this method only if the game is not officially available in your area.
Download the original APK proven-source|Check the hash file for viruses|Create a backup of current data on Xiaomi|Turn off Play Protect in the security settings|Make sure the version OBB matched APK-->
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even with proper transfer, errors can occur, and let's look at the typical cases and how to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The game does not start after the transfer | Version or architecture incompatibility (ARM/x86) | Download the game version for your processor (on new Xiaomi usually ARM64) |
| Preservations are not loaded | Wrong path to files or access rights | Check permissions for folder with game Settings → Applications → Permissions Management |
| Flying off when loading | Damaged OBB files or cache | Remove the cache folder (/Android/data/[packet]/cache/) and restart the game |
| Google/Facebook binding is not working | Account Conflict or Regional Restrictions | Try logging in via a VPN (e.g. Warp from Cloudflare) |
If the game is stuck on the logo, try:
- 🔄 Reinstall the game from an official source.
- 📱 Clear game data in Settings → Annexes → [play-name] → Warehouse.
- 🔧 Turn off optimization MIUI for the game: Settings → Special permits → Optimizing the battery → Choose a game → No restrictions.
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Before transferring, always check if the game supports cross-platform portability, for example, Clash Royale syncs through Supercell ID, and Among Us only through Google/Facebook.