Switching from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is a crucial step, especially if you are actively using WhatsApp and want to keep your correspondence history. Unlike moving between devices of the same ecosystem (for example, iPhone → iPhone or Xiaomi → Xiaomi), the transition between iOS and Android requires a special approach. The main problem is different backup formats: Apple stores data in iCloud, and Xiaomi works with Google Drive or local files.
Until 2021, the transfer of chats between platforms was impossible without third-party tools, but now there is an official method from WhatsApp. However, it does not work on all Xiaomi models and has limitations. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of porting, from official to alternative solutions using the PC, and also tell you how to avoid data loss and solve typical errors.
Preparation of devices before transfer
Before you start the transfer, make sure that both smartphones meet the requirements. This is critical: if you miss even one item, the process can end in error.
- 📱 On iPhone: Update WhatsApp to the latest version (check in the App Store), make sure iCloud Drive is enabled (Settings) → [Your name] → iCloud → iCloud Drive, and that you have enough space in iCloud to back up your backup.
- 🤖 On Xiaomi: install the latest version of WhatsApp from Google Play, check that the device has enough free space (minimum 2-3 GB for large chats). MIUI — Custom assemblies can cause failures.
- 🔌 In addition: prepare USB-cable (Lightning) → USB-C or USB-A) If you use the PC method, charge both devices at least 50 percent, which can take up to an hour.
Pay special attention to the phone number. You can only transfer it if you use the same number on Xiaomi as you do on your iPhone. If you plan to change the number, move the chats first, and then change the number. SIM-map.
⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi already has WhatsApp with a linked number, delete the app and clear its data (Settings) → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse → Otherwise, the system will not allow you to restore a backup copy.
2.Official method: transfer via "Transfer chats"
Since 2021, WhatsApp has been offering a built-in tool to transfer history between iOS and Android.It works on most modern Xiaomi (Redmi Note 10/11/12 series, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13), but there are nuances:
- On your iPhone, open WhatsApp, go to Settings → Chat → Backup Chats and create a fresh copy in iCloud.
- Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi (don't run it!) and connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network.
- On Xiaomi, open WhatsApp, confirm your phone number (should match your iPhone) and wait for the suggestion to move the chats.
- Follow the instructions on the screen: the system will prompt you to scan QR-iPhone code or connect via cable.
It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours, depending on the amount of correspondence, and when all chats, media files, and settings are done, they will be moved, but this method does not save the history of calls and some service messages.
| The device | Requirements | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone (iOS 15+) | WhatsApp 2.21.160+, iCloud with free space | Impossible to reschedule calls |
| Xiaomi (Android 10+) | Original MIUI, WhatsApp 2.21.160+ | Doesn't work on custom firmware. |
| Cable | USB-C/Lightning (original or certified) | Cheap cables can cause errors |
⚠️ Warning: If the transfer is interrupted during the copying phase, do not try to start the process again immediately. Wait 10-15 minutes, restart both devices and try again.
Alternative method: transfer via PC (Dr.Fone, Backuptrans)
If the official method didn’t work (for example, because of the old Xiaomi model or synchronization errors), you can use third-party programs, the most reliable ones are Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Transfer and Backuptrans WhatsApp Transfer. They are paid, but offer free trial versions with restrictions.
Let’s look at the example of Dr.Fone:
- 🖥️ Install the program on your PC (official website) and connect your iPhone via USB.
- 📤 In the main menu, select WhatsApp Transfer. → Backup WhatsApp messages and backup your WhatsApp messages.
- 📥 Turn off your iPhone, plug in Xiaomi, and select Restore to Device. Point the way to the saved backup.
- ⚙️ Wait until the process is complete. The program will automatically install WhatsApp on Xiaomi and restore data.
The advantage of this method is the support of older Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi 5/6/7) and the ability to selectively transfer (for example, only certain chats).
- 🔒 Some programs require you to disable Find My iPhone and iOS Data Protection.
- 🛡️ Free analogues (e.g. iCareFone) may contain malicious code.
- 📉 Transfer takes longer than the official method (up to 2-3 hours for large backups).
Install Dr.Fone/Backuptrans on PC|
Turn off Find My iPhone (Settings → [Name] → Find My → Find My iPhone) |
Charge both phones >70%|
Prepare original USB-cable-->
4. Manual Chat Export: If Nothing Works
If neither the official method nor the software worked, it's manual export, it doesn't carry media files and stickers, but it saves text messages.
- On the iPhone, open the desired chat in WhatsApp, tap on the name of the interlocutor → Export chat.
- Select No Media Files (otherwise the file will be too large) and send it to email or Google Drive.
- On Xiaomi, download a file (.txt format) and import it into any text application (e.g. Google Keep).
This method is suitable for saving the most important dialogues, but does not replace full-fledged transfer. The main disadvantage is the loss of formatting (emoticons will appear as text, for example,:) instead of graphics).
How to export group chat?
5. Typical errors and their solutions
Even when following instructions, users face problems.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Could not find a backup copy | iCloud is not synced or there is not enough space | Check Settings → iCloud → Storage and free up space |
| Error of connecting to the iPhone | Unoriginal cable or outdated version of iTunes | Use the original cable and update iTunes/Apple Mobile Device Support |
| WhatsApp doesn’t see backup on Xiaomi | Backup file corrupted or incompatible version of WhatsApp | Remove WhatsApp on Xiaomi, clear the cache and try again |
If this backup is incompatible during the transfer stage, try the following:
- 🔄 Reinstall WhatsApp on both devices.
- 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes port locking interferes with synchronization).
- ⏳ Wait 24 hours – sometimes iCloud delays backup updates.
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If the transfer is frozen during the Preparation phase, do not interrupt the forced restart process. Try connecting both phones to charge - sometimes this speeds up the processing.
6. Transfer of media files: photos, videos, voice
The official method of transferring media files saves them, but they can take up a lot of space on Xiaomi.
- After transferring, open WhatsApp on Xiaomi, go to Settings → Storage.
- Click Storage Management and sort files by size. Delete unnecessary ones (like old memes or duplicates).
- Enable Automatic Save in the Gallery if you want new media files to be copied to the Xiaomi Gallery.
If the media files are not transferred, they can be copied manually:
- 📁 On iPhone, connect to your PC, find the WhatsApp folder → Media in Files (via iTunes or Explorer).
- 📂 Copy WhatsApp Images, WhatsApp Video folders on PC and then on Xiaomi (into folder) WhatsApp/Media).
- 🔄 Restart WhatsApp on Xiaomi – Files should be displayed in chats.
⚠️ Note: When manually copying media files, the folder structure must be saved! For example, photos from a chat with a friend should be in the file. WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Images/[Phone number of the interlocutor. Otherwise WhatsApp will not recognize them.
7.Move to older Xiaomi models (Android 9 and below)
If your Xiaomi is running Android 9 or older (e.g. Redmi 4X, Mi A1), the official port method won't work.
- 🛠️ Use WhatsApp Transfer Backuptrans – it supports older versions of Android.
- 📱 Install an older version of WhatsApp on Xiaomi (e.g. 2.20.206) via APK-File (download from the official website).
- 🔗 Move the backup through ADB (Developer rights required. Commands: adb pull /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases /backup/whatsapp adb push /backup/whatsapp/msgstore.db /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/
Xiaomi on Android 8 and below may require manual editing of the msgstore.db file using SQLite Editor to remove incompatible entries.It's a complicated process - if you're not sure, you better consult a specialist.
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On devices older than Android 10, official portability is not possible. Use only proven programs (Dr.Fone, Backuptrans) or manual methods with ADB.