How to transfer WhatsApp from Xiaomi to iPhone: all the ways 2026

The transition from Xiaomi to iPhone is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also about moving data from WhatsApp. Unlike switching between devices of the same brand, the migration between Android and iOS requires a special approach. The main problem is that WhatsApp backups on Xiaomi are stored in Google Drive, and on iPhones in iCloud, and these systems are not directly compatible.

Until 2021, users had to use informal tools or lose their correspondence history, but now there are several proven ways, from the official Move to iOS solution to alternative methods using third-party utilities, in this article, we will analyze all the current options, their pros and cons, and give recommendations for preparing devices to make the transfer without errors.

It’s important to consider that the process depends on the version of WhatsApp, the iPhone model, and even the region (for example, in China, Google Drive can be blocked).

Preparation of devices before transfer

Before you start migrating, you need to follow several mandatory steps on both devices, and skipping either of them can cause a crash or loss of data.

On Xiaomi:

• 📱 Update WhatsApp to the latest version via Google Play. Older versions (up to 2.21.160) do not support official portability.
• 🔋 Charge the phone at least 50% or plug it into charging.The process can take up to 30 minutes.
• 📁 Free up space: Backup can weigh a few gigabytes. Delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a memory card.
• 🔒 Turn off two-factor authentication on WhatsApp (if enabled).This will make it easier to sign in on a new device.

On the iPhone:

• 📱 Reset the device to factory settings (if it has already been used) and transfer only to a clean iPhone.
• 🔌 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network at high speed. Mobile Internet is not suitable.
• 🔋 Make sure there is enough room on the device for backup. check in Settings → Mainstream → iPhone storage.
• 🔑 Prepare Apple. ID You'll need them to log in to iCloud.

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If you have Xiaomi with global firmware MIUI, But without Google services (like the Chinese version), first install Google Play Services via APKMirror.

Also check the compatibility of Android and iOS versions:

⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi has custom firmware installed (e.g. LineageOS), the official port may not work. In this case, use alternative methods from Section 4.

Official Move to iOS Transfer

The most reliable way is to use Apple's Move to iOS app, which allows you to transfer not only WhatsApp, but also contacts, photos, accounts, the main condition is that the iPhone must be new or dropped.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Move to iOS on Xiaomi from Google Play.
2. Configure your iPhone to the Programs and Data screen. Select "Move Data from Android."
3. Run Move to iOS on Xiaomi, accept the terms and enter the code that will appear on the iPhone.
4. Select data to transfer. Mark WhatsApp and other items you want.
5. Wait until it's done. Don't interrupt the process or lock the screens.
6. After the transfer, install WhatsApp on your iPhone from the App Store and log in to your account. Chat history will appear automatically.

Xiaomi has turned off the power saving mode

Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

There is enough data on the iPhone

WhatsApp on Xiaomi updated to the latest version-->

If the process is stuck at the transfer stage, try:

• 🔄 Restart both devices and try again.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (e.g., a mobile access point).
• 🔌 Shut down. VPN or proxy on Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: If media files (photos, videos) are not displayed on the iPhone after transferring to WhatsApp, check the Storage section in the app settings.

Transfer via Google Drive backup

If Move to iOS didn’t work or you want to migrate only WhatsApp, you can use a backup from Google Drive.This method requires more action, but is suitable for devices with any firmware.

Algorithm of action:

1. Create a backup on Xiaomi: Open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup. Click Create a copy and wait until it's completed. Make sure the copy is saved to Google Drive.
2. Export a copy to your computer: Connect Xiaomi to your PC and copy the folder WhatsApp/Databases The backup file has a name. msgstore.db.crypt14 (or crypt12 old-form).
3. Convert backup for iOS: Use utilities like Backuptrans or iCareFone to convert the file to an iPhone-compatible format.
4. Transfer data to your iPhone: Install WhatsApp on your iPhone and log in. When you want to restore data, select the file that was converted in the previous step.

Important: WhatsApp backups in Google Drive are encrypted with a phone number and model attached, and without conversion, you can't restore them to your iPhone.

Among the popular utilities for conversion:

• 🛠️ Backuptrans WhatsApp Transfer is a paid but reliable program with support for the latest versions.
• 📱 iCareFone Transfer – Offers a Free Trial to Check Compatibility.
• 💻 Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Transfer – works with Windows and macOS, supports transfer between any devices.

Alternative methods of transfer

If the official methods are not suitable (for example, due to custom firmware or the lack of Google Play Services), you can use workarounds. They take longer, but often save in difficult cases.

Method 1: Transfer via email or cloud storage

Suitable for transferring individual chats (not the entire story):

1. Open the desired chat in WhatsApp on Xiaomi.
2. Press. ⋮ → Export chat and select "No Media" or "Enable Media".
3. Send the export to your mail (Gmail, Yandex) or to the cloud (Dropbox, OneDrive).
4. On your iPhone, download the file and import it to WhatsApp via Restore from File.

Method 2: Use of local backup

If Google Drive is not available (e.g. in China), you can work with a local copy:

1. On Xiaomi, create a local copy: WhatsApp settings → chat → Backup copy → Local copy.
2. Copy the file. msgstore.db.crypt14 PC-only.
3. Use WhatsApp. Key/DB Extractor to extract data (an encryption key is required, which can be obtained through the ADB).
4. Convert data to a readable format (e.g, HTML or CSV) and import on iPhone.

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Local WhatsApp backups are stored in a folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. Files with extension.crypt14 — These are encrypted copies, and without extension – unencrypted (obsolete format).

Method 3: Transfer through SIM-map (contact only)

If you only need to transfer contacts (without chat history):

• 📇 Export your contacts with Xiaomi to SIM-map: Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM.
• 🔄 Put it in. SIM In iPhone and import contacts: Settings → Contacts → Import contacts with SIM.
• 🔄 WhatsApp on iPhone will automatically pull up contacts from the phone book.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when you follow instructions, users have problems, and we've collected some of the most common errors and ways to fix them.

If Move to iOS is constantly resetting the connection, try:

• 🔌 Disable Bluetooth on both devices (sometimes it conflicts with Wi-Fi Direct).
• 📡 Use a router with support WPA2-PSK (Avoid open networks).
• 🔄 Reboot the router and both phones.

⚠️ Note: If WhatsApp has been moved to the site for the past month, check the date of the last backup on Xiaomi. The copy may have been created a long time ago and the new messages did not get into it.

Saving media files after transfer

Often users experience photos and videos from WhatsApp not being ported or displayed incorrectly, because media files are stored separately from text history.

To save all media:

1. On Xiaomi: Go to Files → WhatsApp → Media. Copy WhatsApp Images, WhatsApp Video, WhatsApp Audio folders on PC or in the cloud.
2. On iPhone: Upload files to Photos or Files via iCloud Drive. Open WhatsApp and wait for the app to sync media to the cloud.

If the files are not displayed in chat rooms:

• 🔄 Reboot your iPhone and check your internet connection.
• 📁 In WhatsApp Settings, select Settings → Warehouse → Download all media.
• 🔧 Update the application to the latest version.

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To save space on your iPhone, turn on the Save in Photos option only for important chats. → contact → "Keep the media safe" → Select the desired file types.

Transferring data between WhatsApp accounts

If you change not only your phone but also your number (for example, when you move to another country), the process becomes more complicated. WhatsApp does not support direct transfer of history between accounts, but there are workarounds.

Method 1: Use the "Change Number" function:

1. On Xiaomi, open WhatsApp → Settings → Account. → Change the number.
2. Enter the old and new number, confirm SMS-code.
3. Create a backup and transfer it to your iPhone (as described above).

Method 2: Export chats to text file:

1. Export important chats one at a time (as described in Section 3).
2. Save files in the cloud or on PC.
3. On the new number, create groups/chats and import the story manually.

⚠️ Note: If you change numbers, all the groups you were admin will no longer be yours, and you will lose access to chat rooms where your old number was added as a member (you will have to ask administrators to add a new number).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions