The shift from Apple’s ecosystem to Android, particularly Xiaomi’s, is often marred by the loss of important data, with passwords ranking first. Unlike photos or contacts, stored login and access key bundles don’t always migrate automatically when connected by cable, and users face the need to restore access to dozens of accounts manually, which is time-consuming and poses security risks.
There are several proven methods to solve this problem efficiently and without data loss: synchronization can be done through Google cloud services, a specialized application from the manufacturer, or by manually exporting the database, the choice of the specific method depends on the version of the operating system on your iPhone and privacy preferences.
In this article, we will discuss each of the available algorithms in detail, paying special attention to the nuances of working with the MIUI and HyperOS shell. You will learn how to avoid typical migration errors and ensure the protection of your accounts in a new environment. Proper preparation of the original device is the key to successful completion of the process.
Preparing iPhone for data migration
Before you start the direct transfer, you need to make sure that the original Apple device is ready to transfer information.The basic requirement is that you have an up-to-date version of the iOS operating system. Older versions may not support the necessary encryption protocols or have built-in export functions, which is critical for the security of your data.
Check if iCloud Keychain is enabled in your device settings. This is where Apple stores all your passwords, and without activating this module, you can't export. Go to settings, select your Apple ID profile, then the "iCloud" section, and make sure the switch opposite to "Keychain" is green.
⚠️ If you haven’t changed your Apple password in a while ID, The system can request a confirmation or two-factor authentication code when trying to access a keychain.
It is also recommended to back up your device even if you plan to use cloud-based methods, which will create a restore point in case there is a failure during the migration process, connect your phone to your computer or use iCloud cloud storage to create a fresh copy.
Method 1: Use the Move to Mi application
The official and easiest way to migrate to Xiaomi devices is to use the specialized Move to Mi tool. This application is designed specifically for migrating data from other platforms, including iOS, and supports the transfer of contacts, messages, photos and, importantly in our context, some types of data applications.
The process starts with installing the app on both devices. On the iPhone, it can be found in the App Store, and on Xiaomi it is often preinstalled or available in GetApps. Once the program is launched on a new smartphone, Xiaomi must select the option “This is a new device” and specify the type of old phone – iPhone (another Android).
- 📱 Install the Move to Mi app on both smartphones from official stores.
- 🔗 On Xiaomi, select “Get Data” and on iPhone, “Send Data».
- 📡 Scan it. QR-code that appears on the screen of a new phone, the camera of an old device to create a communication channel.
- 📂 Select the category “System Data” or “Apps” where saved passwords may be contained, and start the transfer.
It is worth noting that direct password transfer through this application does not work for all services due to iOS security limitations. However, for embedded applications and some third-party services, this method allows you to save access without re-entering. If automatic password transfer does not occur, the application will still be useful for transferring media files and contacts, freeing up time for manual security settings.
Method 2: Sync through Google Account
The most reliable and versatile method that ensures all passwords are safe is using Google's password manager.The Android ecosystem is deeply integrated with the search giant's services, and Google Password Manager is the de facto standard for storing credentials.
To implement this method, you need to install the Google or Chrome app on your iPhone and log into your account. In the application settings, you should activate password synchronization, after which all passwords saved in iCloud can be copied or, if you have already used the Chrome browser on your iPhone, they will already be in the Google cloud.
If you haven’t previously used Chrome on iOS, you’ll need to export your iCloud passwords first (instructions will be below) and import them into your Google account via the web interface passwords.google.com. After that, on the new Xiaomi, you just need to log in to the same Google account when you first set up the system.
⚠️ Note: When you sign in to a Google account on a new device via an unsecured connection or from a new one IP-Addresses, security can block the entrance. Make sure you have access to your phone number in advance to get the confirmation text code.
Once logged in to Xiaomi, open your system settings, search for the Google section and make sure sync is enabled. Now, when you try to log in to any app or site in or through the Chrome browser, Android will automatically offer saved passwords.
Method 3: Manual export via CSV file
For users who prefer full control of their data or don’t want to use Google’s cloud sync, there is a manual export method, which allows you to unload all passwords from iCloud into a CSV text file, which can then be imported into any password manager on Android.
Start by visiting iCloud.com from your computer, log in to your account and select “iCloud Keychain” (or “Passwords” if you use a separate application), and find the data export button in the settings, and the system will warn you about the risks of storing passwords in plain form, which is a standard security procedure.
After confirmation, you will receive a file containing a list of all your URL, This file must be transferred to your computer or directly to Xiaomi. For importing Android, the best way to use the Chrome browser on your PC is to open the settings, Autocomplete section» → «Passwords, select “Import passwords” and specify the downloaded file.
- 💻 Visit iCloud.com from your Apple computer ID.
- 🔑 Go to the “Keychain” section and find export settings.
- 📥 Save the password file in format CSV hard-drive.
- 📲 Open Chrome browser on PC, log in to your Google account and import the file through password settings.
Once imported on your computer, data is instantly synced to your Xiaomi smartphone if you log in to the same account, which is the cleanest way to transfer, requiring no extra apps to the phone, but requires a computer at hand.
☑️ Checklist of safety during transfer
Use of third-party password managers
If embedded solutions don’t seem flexible enough, cross-platform password managers like Bitwarden, 1Password or KeePass are great choices, and they work independently of the operating system and provide the highest level of encryption.
The principle is simple: you install the application manager on your iPhone, import passwords from the system keychain (many managers know how to do this automatically), and then install the same application on Xiaomi. All data will be pulled from the service cloud.
The feature of these solutions is the ability to use local storage (in the case of KeePass), which eliminates the storage of your data on third-party servers. You simply store the database in a cloud drive (for example, Google Drive or Dropbox) and open it on both devices.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party password managers, it is critical to remember the master password from the application itself. Unlike Google or Apple accounts, restoring access to an encrypted database without a master password is technically impossible.
For Xiaomi users with HyperOS shell or newer versions of MIUI, it is recommended to use managers that support biometric unlocking through the system fingerprint scanner or Face ID to make the login process as fast as possible.
What to do if passwords are not synchronized?
Comparison of methods and elimination of problems
Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages: the best solution depends on the number of passwords, the presence of a computer and security requirements. Below is a comparative table that will help determine the way to migrate.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | A PC is needed. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move to Mi | Low. | Medium | No. |
| Google Account | Medium | Tall. | Preferably. |
| CSV Exports | Tall. | Medium | Yes. |
| Third-party manager | Medium | Very high. | No. |
A common problem when switching is format incompatibility or network error. If you use the method with CSV, make sure that the file encoding is correct (usually UTF-8), otherwise Russian characters in passwords can turn into unreadable characters. For Move to Mi, a critically stable Wi-Fi connection is critical, since large amounts of data can interrupt transmission.
Also, some banking and government applications have their own security systems that don’t allow passwords to be transferred by standard methods, and in such cases, you’ll have to log in manually using a SMS confirmation or token, as this is a security requirement of the service itself, not a phone restriction.
After a successful transfer, it is recommended to change the master passwords from mission-critical services.This is a good security practice when changing devices, which ensures that there are no active sessions left on the old iPhone that you may sell or give away.
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Tip: After you transfer passwords, enable the “Security Check” feature in Google settings on Xiaomi. It will automatically scan all saved passwords and let you know if any of them have been stolen or are too simple.
Set up biometrics and autocomplete on Xiaomi
The final step of the migration is to configure easy access to saved passwords on the new Xiaomi device. Android system allows you to use a fingerprint or face to automatically substitute logins, which eliminates the need to enter long combinations of characters each time.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Privacy → Access to Passwords (the path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI). Make sure that Google or your third-party manager is chosen as the primary source of passwords.
In the keyboard settings, you should also enable autocomplete. Press and hold the keyboard icon in the status bar or go to the language and input settings. Select Gboard or another keyboard used and activate Autocomplete. This will allow the system to offer passwords directly above the keyboard when focusing on the input field.
- 🔐 Set up biometric unlocking in the Passwords and Security section».
- 🤖 Enable Google Autocomplete Service in System Settings.
- ⌨️ Check the keyboard settings to display password prompts.
- 🧪 Test the entrance to 2-3 applications to ensure that the correct operation.
Now your Xiaomi is fully ready to go. All your accounts are saved, protected and accessible in one touch. The transition from the iPhone is completed successfully, and you can enjoy all the benefits of the Android platform without losing digital comfort.
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The most reliable way to transfer passwords is sync through a Google account, as it provides automatic data updates on all devices and a high degree of protection.