How to transfer applications from iPhone to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

The transition from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is not only a change in the ecosystem, but also the need to migrate dozens of applications, their data and settings. Many users face problems: some programs are missing from Google Play, others lose progress (for example, in games), and some completely refuse to work on Android due to being tied to Apple ID. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of migration – from the official tool Move to iOS (yes, it works in the opposite direction!) to manual transfer through the cloud and third-party utilities.

Xiaomi’s unique feature in this process is its own MIUI shell, which offers unique synchronization tools. For example, the function Cloning apps in Settings → Additionally allows you to duplicate messengers, but does not replace full portability. We tested all methods on devices with MIUI 14/15 (including Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and Xiaomi 13 Ultra) and identified those that are guaranteed to work in 2026 – even for applications with a closed ecosystem like Apple Music or iCloud Photos.

1. Official way: Move to iOS (yes, it works and vice versa!)

The checkpoint question is, did you know that Apple's Move to iOS app can be used to transfer data from Android to iPhone, but not all data back to Android? In fact, partial back-portability is possible through cloud backups. Here's how to do it:

1. Backup on iPhone: Go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Backup iCloud → Backup. Make sure App Items and Documents and Data are enabled.
2. Export data from iCloud: On your computer, go to iCloud.com, log in and select Data Management → Export Data. Here you can download archives with contacts, photos, notes, and even data from some applications (such as Health or Notes).
3. Move to Xiaomi: Download files (.vcf formats for contacts,.ics for calendars) to Google Account or directly to your smartphone. For photos, it is convenient to use Google Photos with Download and Sync function.

⚠️ Note: This method does not carry the applications themselves, only their data (if they are stored in iCloud). To install programs on Xiaomi you will have to download them again from Google Play.

An important nuance for Xiaomi: if you use MIUI 15, the “Import from iCloud” option has appeared in the Xiaomi account settings (available in Settings → Accounts and Sync → Xiaomi Cloud → Data Import) It automatically tightens contacts, photos and calendars, but works unstable with some regional accounts.

2.Move over Google Account: The universal method for most apps

If you've used Google's services on your iPhone (Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Photos), the transfer will take only 10 minutes.

• 📱 On iPhone: Install Google apps (if not already installed) and log in to your account. Enable sync for all the services you need in each app's settings.
• ☁️ In the cloud: Check that the data has appeared on myaccount.google.com (Data and Personalization Management section).
• 📲 On Xiaomi: When you first turn on, select Restore from Google Backup or do it later in Settings → System system → Backup.

This way will carry:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and tags)
• 📅 Calendars and reminders
• 📎 Notes from Google Keep
• 📷 Photos and videos (if synced in Google Photos was enabled)
• 🎵 Music and podcasts (if you use YouTube Music or Google Podcasts)

However, there are limitations:

• ❌ Apps are not portable – only their data (e.g. game progress if linked to Google Play Games).
• ❌ SMS The call log is not synced via Google (third-party tools are needed).
• ❌ Wi-Fi settings and passwords are not automatically transferred.

Install all Google apps on iPhone (Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Photos)

Enable synchronization in each application (Settings → Account → Synchronization)

Check the free space in Google Drive (minimum 15 GB for photos)

Remember the username and password from the Google account (required for Xiaomi)

Disable two-factor authentication at the time of transfer (if there are problems with the transfer). SMS)-->

3. Third-party programs: Dr.Fone, MobileTrans and others

If you have to move everything -- including SMS, call logs, apps with their data, even desktop wallpaper -- you have to use specialized software, and we tested three of the most popular solutions:

Step-by-step instructions for Dr.Fone (recommended for Xiaomi):

1. Download and install Dr.Fone on your computer (official website).
2. Connect your iPhone and Xiaomi to your PC via USB (on Xiaomi, enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (7 times press) → Additional → For developers).
3. In the program, select Phone Transfer → Switch, specify the iPhone as the source, and Xiaomi as the receiver.
4. Tick the data you need (including Apps) and click Start Transfer.

⚠️ Note: When you migrate applications via Dr.Fone or MobileTrans to Xiaomi, you may experience an error called “App not installed”. APK-iOS files are incompatible with Android 13/14. Solution: After manually migrating, update problematic apps via Google Play.

Manual transfer: annex by annex

If you only need to migrate a few key applications (like WhatsApp, Telegram, or banking programs), it’s easier to do it manually.

📱 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

• WhatsApp: On iPhone, back up Settings → Chat → Backup. Install WhatsApp on Xiaomi and log in with the same number. When requesting a recovery, select Restore from Google Drive (if a copy has been uploaded there) or use a local copy (msgstore.db.crypt14 from iTunes backup).

Telegram:

All chats and media files are synced automatically through the Telegram cloud, just install the app on Xiaomi and log in to the same account.

💰 Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, VTB)

Banking software can't be moved, it needs to be reinstalled and linked to a new device, but you can:

• 🔄 Save logins and passwords in Google Password Manager (if you used autocomplete on your iPhone).
• 📄 Take screenshots QR-codes for quick authorization (for example, in Sberbank Online).
• 📞 Call the bank and ask to deactivate the old device in the security system.

🎮 Games (with continued progress)

To transfer progress in games:

• 🎯 If the game supports Google Play Games or Facebook Login, log in to Xiaomi through the same account.
• 🖥️ For games with own servers (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) use an email or social networking link.
• ⚠️ Apple Arcade games won’t be ported to Android, they’ll have to start over.