Moving from iPhone to Xiaomi smartphone is a crucial step, especially if you are actively using WhatsApp and want to keep the correspondence for many years. Unlike the transition between devices of the same ecosystem (for example, iPhone → iPhone or Xiaomi → Samsung), migration between iOS and Android requires additional effort. The main problem is that WhatsApp backups on iPhone are stored in iCloud, and on Xiaomi – in Google Drive or locally, and these systems are not directly compatible.
In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of transferring chats (including the official method from WhatsApp and alternative solutions), talk about the pitfalls of each option and give a checklist for successful migration. MIUI before setting access rights for recovery.
Spoiler: The only officially supported way is to use WhatsApp’s Go Android feature, but it doesn’t work on all Xiaomi models and requires preparation. If your smartphone doesn’t support this method, you’ll have to use third-party tools — but there are risks that we’ll warn you about in advance.
Why can’t you just copy chats through the cloud?
Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to download a backup from iCloud and upload it to Google Drive, which is impossible in practice for three reasons:
- 🔒 Different storage formats: WhatsApp backup files on iOS and Android are encrypted differently, and even if you download the archive from iCloud, Xiaomi won't be able to recognize it.
- 📱 Ecosystem binding: Apple blocks direct export of data from iCloud to other brands' devices, part of the company's security policy.
- 🔄 No cross-platform sync. WhatsApp doesn’t provide tools to automatically transfer history between iOS and Android without additional action.
Another common myth is, "You can send yourself an email chat." Yes, WhatsApp has a feature for exporting individual dialogs via Email, but:
⚠️ Note: Exports by mail only save text messages (without media files) and are limited to 40,000 characters per letter.
Official way: the “Switch to Android” function from WhatsApp
Since 2022, WhatsApp has offered an official tool for migrating from iPhone to Android – Move to Android (in the Russian version – “Go to Android”), this method works on most modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 13), but has strict requirements:
Download the latest version of WhatsApp on iPhone and Xiaomi
Connect Xiaomi to Wi-Fi (not mobile data!)
Charge of both phones > 50%
Use the original Lightning cable for iPhone
Disable two-factor authentication on WhatsApp (temporarily)-->
Step-by-step:
- On iPhone: Open WhatsApp → Settings → Chat → Go to Android. Follow the tips to prepare the data for export.
If the error “failed to import” appears on Xiaomi screen, check:
- 🔌 Cable and ports (try another cable or port on Xiaomi).
- 🔒 WhatsApp permissions on Xiaomi (Settings) → Annexes → WhatsApp → Permits → Enable "Storage" and "Contacts»).
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If you have Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader (for example, after installing custom firmware), the official port method may not work, in which case use alternative methods from the next section.
Alternative methods of chat transfer
If the official method didn’t work (for example, because of the old Xiaomi model or synchronization errors), you can use third-party tools.
| Method | Pluses | Cons | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr.Fone — WhatsApp Transfer | Transfers media files, works for all Xiaomi | Paid, requires a PC | From $39.95. |
| Backuptrans | Supports selective chat transfer | Complex interface, slow work | From $29.99. |
| iMazing | Keeps your call history, works without root | Only for macOS/Windows, there is no Russian language | From $49.99. |
Let’s take a closer look at Dr.Fone, the most popular tool:
- Install Dr.Fone on your computer (official website).
- Connect your iPhone to your PC via a Lightning cable and back up (WhatsApp Transfer → Backup WhatsApp).
- Connect to Xiaomi and select the Restore to Device option.
- Select a backup from your iPhone and wait for the transfer to be completed.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party tools, WhatsApp may block your account for 24 hours due to suspicious activity.To avoid this, temporarily disable two-factor authentication and do not perform the transfer more than 1 time per day.
Official (Move to Android)
Third-party programs (Dr.Fone, Backuptrans)
Manual export (by post)
I haven't decided yet.-->
Xiaomi Preparing for Chat Restoration
Even if you successfully exported chats from your iPhone, Xiaomi may have trouble restoring them. To avoid errors, follow the following steps before porting:
- 📲 Update WhatsApp to the latest version via Google Play.
- 🔄 Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.This eliminates problems connecting to WhatsApp servers.
- 🛡️ Turn off battery optimization for WhatsApp (Settings) → Annexes → WhatsApp → Battery → No restrictions).
- 📁 Clear WhatsApp cache (Settings) → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
If you are using Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ firmware, check out:
- 🔐 Permissions to change system settings for WhatsApp (Settings) → Special permits → Changes in system settings).
- 📡 Settings VPN and data traffic (Settings) → Connections and sharing → VPN → Shut it down. VPN before transfer).
Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5) may require manually specifying the path to the backup.
- Connect Xiaomi to your PC and go to the Internal Storage folder → WhatsApp → Databases.
- If the Databases folder is missing, create it manually.
- Copy the backup file (should be called msgstore.db.crypt14).
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Even when following instructions, users face problems, and we've collected some of the most common errors and ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "Can't recover backup copy" | Disparity between WhatsApp and MIUI versions | Update WhatsApp and Xiaomi firmware to the latest version |
| "Backup file corrupted." | Interrupted transfer process or unstable connection | Repeat the transfer with new cable and stable Wi-Fi |
| "Not enough space on the device" | Chats take up more space than free on Xiaomi | Clear the memory or transfer the files to SD-map |
| "Account is temporarily blocked." | Too frequent attempts at recovery | Wait 24 hours and try again. |
If there are no media files (photos, videos, voice messages) after the transfer, check:
- 📂 WhatsApp folder → Media on Xiaomi – sometimes files are saved separately.
- 🔄 WhatsApp Autoboot Settings (Settings) → Warehouse and data → Autoboot media).
What if the chats are moved but not displayed?
Transferring chats without a computer: is it possible?
Many users are looking for a way to transfer chats without a PC using only phones, which is technically possible, but with serious limitations:
- 📎 Through Google Drive: You can manually download a backup from iCloud to your PC and then upload it to Google Drive and restore it to Xiaomi).
- 📧 Through email/Cloud: As mentioned earlier, exporting by mail only saves text. For media files, you will have to use iCloud Photos and manually download them to Xiaomi.
- 🔗 Telegram: Some users first transfer chats to Telegram (via bots like Telegram) @WhatsAppToTelegramBot), And then they export them back, and this way of doing this doesn't guarantee the preservation of formatting and media.
Important: There is currently no reliable way to transfer WhatsApp chats from iPhone to Android without a computer or additional devices, and all cloud-based methods either lose data or require manual processing.
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If you don't have access to a PC, the only way that works is the official "Go to Android" method, which connects phones directly to the cable, and all the other ways that you can do that will cause you to lose some of your data.
Post-Transfer Tips: How to Avoid Data Loss in the Future
After successfully migrating chats to Xiaomi, set up WhatsApp to avoid future phone change problems:
- ☁️ Enable automatic backup in Google Drive (Settings) → chat → Backup: Select frequency (daily, weekly) and Google account.
- 📁 Save local copies: Copy the folder periodically WhatsApp/Databases PC-based.
- 🔄 Use two-factor authentication, but write backup email and PIN-code in a secure location (e.g., Google Keep or Google Keep) 1Password).
- 📱 Check compatibility before buying a new phone: WhatsApp has a list of supported devices for porting.
If you are planning to return to iPhone in the future, consider:
- 🔙 Transferring chats from Android to iOS is even more difficult than going backwards. There is no official tool, you have to use Dr.Fone or analogues.
- 📅 WhatsApp backups on Android are stored in Google Drive and iPhones in iCloud.
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On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, you can set up an automatic WhatsApp backup in the Mi Cloud. To do this, go to Settings → Xiaomi Cloud → App Backup and enable the option for WhatsApp. This will not replace Google Drive, but will add an additional copy.