How to sync iPhone with Xiaomi: all ways to transfer data in 2026

Synchronization of data between devices of different ecosystems – iOS and MIUI — If you switched from iPhone to Xiaomi or just want to share files between these gadgets, standard methods like AirDrop or Mi Share will not work directly. The problem lies in the closedness of Apple and the lack of support for Xiaomi protocols in the iOS ecosystem.

In this guide, we'll take a look at 5 Current synchronization methods – from cloud services to third-party applications – that work on iPhone models 15/14/13/SE and Xiaomi smartphones 14/13/Redmi Note 12/POCO F5. We'll focus on sharing contacts, photos, music and notes, and bypassing the constraints of both operating systems, and if you need to migrate data without loss of quality and with minimal time, this material will help you choose the best method.

Why are iPhones and Xiaomi not synchronized directly?

The main obstacle is different data exchange protocols. Apple uses proprietary solutions like AirDrop (based on Wi-Fi Direct). + Bluetooth LE), Mi Share from Xiaomi, which works over Wi-Fi P2P It is optimized for devices only on MIUI Android with Nearby Share Support.

The second problem is the limitations of iOS:

No access to the file system (unlike Android)

Blocked file transfer over Bluetooth (except audio).

- iCloud has no official customers for the MIUI.

• 🔒 AirDrop vs Mi Share: The first only works between Apple devices, the second between Apple devices Xiaomi/Android.
• ☁️ Cloud Services: iCloud and Mi Cloud are not integrated, but you can use intermediaries like Google Drive.
• 📱 App side: Send Anywhere, Snapdrop or Feem bypass restrictions via LAN.

⚠️ Note: When transferring data through third-party services (e.g. Google Photos), image quality may be reduced to 16 MP resolution to save space. If it is important to maintain the original resolution, use Zip archives or Send Anywhere without compression.

Method 1: Transfer via cloud services (iCloud) + Google Drive)

The most versatile method, which does not require physical connection of devices, is suitable for transferring contacts, photos, videos and documents, minus the dependence on Internet speed and the limitation on the amount of free storage (5 GB in iCloud, 15 GB in Google Drive).

Step 1: Exporting data from iPhone to iCloud:

1. Open the Settings. → [Your name] → iCloud.
2. Activate synchronization for the data you want (e.g. Photos, Contacts, Notes).
3. Wait for the download to complete (check in Settings → iCloud → Storage Management).

Step 2: Transfer data from iCloud to Xiaomi:

• 🌐 For contacts: export them in.vcf format via iCloud.com → Contacts → ⚙️ → Export vCard. then upload the file to Xiaomi and import through Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
• 📷 For photo: download the archive from iCloud.com (Section Photos) → highlight files → ⚙️ → Download and transfer to Xiaomi via Google Drive or USB-cable.

- Is there enough space in the cloud (minimum)? 2x data-driven)

Is the iPhone connected to Wi-Fi (mobile download is prohibited)

- Synchronization for the desired data types is enabled

- Are there any regional restrictions (iCloud works differently in China)-->

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Chinese version MIUI (Without Google Services, Google Drive won't work, in which case replace it with Mi Cloud (but there's only 5GB free of charge) or Yandex Drive.

Method 2: Direct Wi-Fi (Snapdrop, Feem, Send Anywhere)

If the clouds seem slow or you don’t want to upload data to the internet, use local services that create direct communication between devices via Wi-Fi or hotspot, bypassing the limitations of iOS and other devices. MIUI.

The best applications for direct transmission:

• 🌍 Snapdrop: works through the browser, does not require installation. Speed up to 10 MB / s.
• 📲 Send Anywhere: Supports files up to 10GB, there are mobile apps.
• 🔗 Feem: Wi-Fi Direct transmission, but you need to use the browser version on your iPhone.

Instructions for Send Anywhere (recommended):

1. Install the app on Xiaomi from Google Play.
2. On iPhone, open send-anywhere.com in Safari.
3. Click Send to iPhone, select files and generate a 6-digit key.
4. Enter this key on Xiaomi in the Get section.

Advantages of the method:

- There are no restrictions on file type (you can transfer.apk,.zip,.mp3).

Speed is higher than through the cloud (up to 50 MB/s in the local network).

- Does not require registration and does not store data on servers.

💡

If the transfer is interrupted, try connecting both devices to the same 5GHz network – it is more stable than 2.4GHz, especially for larger files.

Method 3: Synchronize your contacts with Google Account

If you only need to migrate contacts and calendars, the most reliable way is to use Google Account as a middleman, which works even on an iPhone without jailbreaking and does not require installing additional apps.

Step 1. Add a Google Account to your iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
2. Enter your Gmail details and enable sync for Contacts and Calendars.
3. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (check in Settings). → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts that are duplicated in Google).

Step 2. Move your contacts to Xiaomi:

1. On Xiaomi, open Settings → Accounts. → Add an account → Google.
2. Sign in with the same Gmail account.
3. Turn on the sync for Contacts. In 1-2 minutes, they will appear in the phone book.

If the contacts are not displayed:

• 🔄 Reboot Xiaomi.
• 📱 Check what is in the contact settings (Contacts) → Settings → Display contacts) selected Google Account.
• ⚙️ Update the Contacts app via Google Play.

💡

Sync through Google Account is the only way to transfer contacts that works on all versions of iOS and other devices. MIUI without additional programs.

Method 4: File Transfer via Cable (iTunes, Windows Explorer)

If you have USB-cable (preferably original Lightning or USB-C), This method is suitable for large amounts of data (for example, video files or backups), but requires an additional device (Mac or Mac). PC).

Option 1: via iTunes (for music and video)

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes (or Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina and later).
2. In the Files section, select the media files you need and copy them to your PC.
3. Connect Xiaomi and transfer files to the Internal Storage folder or to the SD-map.

Option 2: Through Windows Explorer (for photos and documents)

1. Connect your iPhone to your PC. If it's not detected, unlock the screen and confirm your device's trust.
2. Open this computer. → Find the Apple iPhone device → Go to the Internal Storage folder → DCIM (photo).
3. Copy the files to your computer, then transfer them to Xiaomi.

⚠️ Attention: On iPhone with iOS 16+ File system access through Explorer is limited. To see all folders, you may need to install iTunes or Apple Mobile Device Support drivers.

Method 5: Specialized Applications (SHAREit, Xender)

Apps like SHAREit or Xender promise fast file transfers between iOS and Android, but in practice often run into problems due to Apple's limitations.

How to use Sharet:

1. Install SHAREit on both devices (App Store for iPhone, Google Play for Xiaomi).
2. On Xiaomi, click Receive, on iPhone, Send.
3. Select files and wait for the connection (the devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network or connected to a hotspot).

Challenges and solutions:

• 🚫 Does not see the device: restart SHAREit on both gadgets or reconnect to Wi-Fi.
• ⏳ Slow Transfer: Close background apps on Xiaomi (especially if Mi Share or Bluetooth is running).
• 🔒 Access Error: On iPhone, allow SHAREit to access Photos and Local Network in Settings → Confidentiality.

Alternatives to SHAREit:

• 📎 Xender: Similar functionality but with support APK-file.
• 🔄 LocalSend: open source, no advertising, works through a browser.

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

Selection recommendations:

• 📁 You need to transfer everything (photos, music, documents) → use USB-cable + iTunes.
• 👥 Only contacts. → Google Account.
• ⚡ Quickly transfer several files → Send Anywhere or Snapdrop.
• ☁️ Backup copy → iCloud + Google Drive.

FAQ: Frequent questions about synchronization of iPhone and Xiaomi