Changing the ecosystem from iOS to Android, in particular to Xiaomi smartphones, is often accompanied by difficulties in transferring personal data. The most painful moment for most users is the history of correspondence in messengers. SIM-The map is without problems, the WhatsApp archive is arranged differently.
The problem is that file systems differ from backup methods: Apple uses iCloud, and Android relies on Google Drive. Direct synchronization between these services is impossible without the use of special intermediary tools.
In this article, we will look at all the current ways of migration, from the official feature introduced by the developers of the messenger to the use of Xiaomi branded utilities, you will learn how to save media files, voice messages and chat structure when you move to a new platform.
Preparation of devices before the migration
Before starting the transfer process, it is critical to properly prepare both smartphones, and ignoring basic requirements can lead to errors in the application operation or loss of data at the most inopportune time.
Make sure both devices have the latest available versions of the operating system and the WhatsApp app itself. On iPhone, go to the App Store, and on Xiaomi, go to Google Play or GetApps to check for updates, and you also need both devices to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network or have a stable connection to the Internet.
⚠️ Warning: The transfer process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the size of the archive. Make sure that the battery on both smartphones is at least 50%, or connect them to a power source.
The key is to use the same phone number on the new device, and the SIM card must be installed in Xiaomi, as this is the number to which the confirmation code will be sent when registering for an account.
☑️ Ready for transfer
The official way to transfer via cable (Move to iOS)
The most reliable and secure method that supports direct chat history was developed jointly by Apple and Meta, and you will need a physical connection of devices to implement it.
You'll need a Lightning-to-USB cable (if you have an old iPhone) or USB-C-to-Lightning (for iPhone 15 and newer), as well as a USB-C adapter for a Xiaomi phone. Connect your iPhone to Xiaomi using a cable. On the Xiaomi screen, a request for trust in the device may appear - confirm it.
On the new Xiaomi smartphone, when you first set up (or after resetting to factory settings), the system will prompt you to copy the data. Select the copy option from the iPhone. On the iPhone screen, you will see a request for trust in your computer - click "Trust" and enter the password.
Follow the instructions on the screen. When the list of apps to transfer appears, select WhatsApp. Click Start to create a temporary encryption key. After that, the camera will open on the iPhone — scan. QR-code displayed on the Xiaomi screen.
💡
If you have already set up a Xiaomi phone but haven’t moved the data, the easiest way to do a Factory Reset is to reset the settings menu → About Phone → Reset to activate the initial setup mode.
It can take a long time. Don't unplug the cable or turn off the screens until the operation is complete. After the operation is over, the iPhone will display a success message.
Using the Mi Mover app for Xiaomi
The proprietary utility Mi Mover (or Change Device) is a standard tool for migrating to Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. It allows you to transfer contacts, SMS messages, images and some application data.
Install the Mi Mover app on your iPhone from the App Store. On your Xiaomi phone, it’s already built in and is in the Tools folder or in the Settings section → About Phone → Change Device.
Run the app on both devices. On Xiaomi, select Recipient, and on iPhone, Sender. Scan. QR-code that will appear on the screen of the new phone to establish a connection.
In the data list, select WhatsApp. Note that Mi Mover can only port the application itself and basic settings, but does not always guarantee the preservation of the complete correspondence history as reliably as the official method via cable.
| Method | Preserving chat history | Saving media files | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official (Cable) | Complete. | Complete. | Low. |
| Mi Mover | Partial/No | Depends on the version. | Medium |
| Email (Export) | Text/Files only | Yeah (investment) | Tall. |
| Third-party software | Complete. | Complete. | Tall. |
Alternative methods and third-party programmes
If standard methods don’t work or you don’t have the necessary cables on hand, you might want to consider using customized PC software. Software like Wutsapper, Tenorshare iCareFone, or MobileTrans often offer more flexible settings.
These utilities are installed on a computer (Windows or macOS), you need to connect both smartphones to a PC at the same time, the program reads data from the iPhone, converts it to a format that is understandable to Android, and downloads it to Xiaomi.
However, it is worth considering that most of the full-fledged features of such programs are paid, and free versions often limit the number of messages carried or add watermarks.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party software, you are transferring your correspondence to third parties. Make sure that you download programs only from official developer sites to avoid viruses.
Another option is manually exporting email chats, so you can select a specific dialog in WhatsApp's iPhone settings, click "Send Chat" and select "No Media Files" or "Add Media Files." Files will come to the mail as an.zip archive or a.txt text file.
This method doesn’t integrate correspondence into an app on a new phone, but it will allow you to save the story in an archive for reading from a computer or other device at any time.
Setup backup on Google Drive
After successfully migrating data to Xiaomi, you need to set up a new backup system immediately. Unlike the iPhone, which used iCloud, now your storage will be Google Drive.
Open WhatsApp on your new smartphone, go to the Settings menu» → «chat» → «Backup Chats.Click Backup to Create the First Restore Point in Google Cloud.
You should set up automatic copy creation, select frequency (daily, weekly) and network type (wifi only, so as not to waste mobile traffic), and you can also enable the option to copy video files.
Where is the local copy stored?
Check that there is enough free space in your Google account linked to your phone. If the 15GB limit is exhausted by photos or documents, you may not be backing up your chats.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users may encounter various technical difficulties during migration, and understanding the causes of errors will help to quickly resolve problems without losing data.
One common problem is that the message “Can’t restore backup” often happens if a new phone has already created a WhatsApp account before the transfer is complete, in which case you need to delete the application, clear the data and register again strictly after the migration procedure is completed.
Another problem is the lack of media files after the transfer, which may be due to a lack of space on the Xiaomi device. Before starting the operation, make sure that at least 1.5 times more space is free than the current WhatsApp archive on the iPhone.
💡
The main rule of successful transfer is not to register WhatsApp on a new phone until the migration of data from the old device is completed.
If the process is hanging on a certain percentage, try restarting both devices, disabling VPNs and antiviruses, and making sure smartphone screens don’t go out during the transfer.