The change of ecosystem from iOS to Android, especially to Xiaomi devices, often raises concerns about the safety of personal information. The situation when the old iPhone is broken, lost or sold, and the new one is already waiting for activation, seems hopeless for an inexperienced user. However, modern technologies and cloud services make it possible to restore the structure of a digital footprint even without physical access to the source. Xiaomi is already waiting for activation, seems hopeless for an inexperienced user. However, modern technologies and cloud services make it possible to restore the structure of a digital trace even without physical access to the source.
The migration process depends on what exactly backups you did earlier and what services you used. If you relied solely on local storage without synchronization, the task becomes more difficult, but not impossible. The key factor for success here is access to your Apple ID and Google accounts, which act as a bridge between the two operating systems.
In this instruction we will analyze all the available methods, from using official software Xiaomi to cloud solutions. You will learn how to recover contacts, photos, calendar and even chat history. The main thing is to act consistently and not skip the steps of checking the synchronization settings before starting work.
Preparing an iCloud and Google account
The first step is to provide access to Apple cloud storage where your data could be saved. Even if your phone is lost, you can log in iCloud via a browser on a computer or any other device. This will allow you to check exactly what data (photos, contacts, notes) were uploaded to the cloud before the gadget was lost.
⚠️ Attention: If two-factor authentication was enabled on the lost iPhone, and the SIM card was also lost, restoring access to the Apple ID may take time. Make sure that you have access to a trusted number or email to receive confirmation codes.
In parallel, you need to prepare an account Google, which will be the main one on the new smartphone. All data that can be retrieved from iCloud will be uploaded to this profile. Make sure that you know the password and that the account is active, since without it, full work Android is impossible.
There is an important nuance with application passwords. If you have two-factor protection enabled, regular passwords may not work with third-party sync apps. In this case, in the Apple ID security settings you will need to create a special application passwordwhich is used only to log into third-party services.
Using the Mi Mover application via the cloud
The company Xiaomi has built into its devices a powerful tool for name Mi Mover. Although its main function is direct transmission over Wi-Fi, it can also work with backups. If you don't have a physical iPhone, we use its ability to import data from cloud sources or file archives.
Launch the application on your new smartphone and select the data reception mode. In the list of sources, find the option to import from the cloud or local storage if you have previously downloaded the data archive from iCloud to your computer. The app interface is intuitive and guides the user step by step.
It is important to note that Mi Mover does best with basic data: contacts, messages, and call logs. Multimedia content and applications may require additional steps. The process may take time depending on the amount of information being downloaded and the speed of the Internet connection.
If Mi Mover does not see your data, try uploading it to Google Photos and Google Contacts first, and then simply logging into your account on the new phone - this often works faster.
Synchronizing contacts and calendar
The contact book is the most valuable thing what needs to be transferred. The most reliable way to do this without your old phone is to export via the web version of iCloud. Go to iCloud.com, log in and go to the “Contacts” section. Select all entries and select the option to export in the format vCard.
The resulting file must be imported into your Google account. To do this, go to contacts.google.com, select “Import” and download the saved file. The Google system will automatically recognize the format and distribute the data into fields, saving numbers, email addresses and names.
After the import is completed on your new one Xiaomi just add the same Google account in the phone settings. The contacts will appear in the phone book automatically within a few minutes. This is the cleanest method, which eliminates the appearance of duplicates and encoding errors.
For a calendar, the procedure is similar. Export calendars from iCloud in .ics format and import them into Google Calendar. All your appointments, reminders and events are synced to your new device. Please note that recurring events may require manual review after transfer.
Transferring photos and videos via Google Photos
Media files take up the most space, and transferring them requires a stable internet connection. If your photos were in iCloud, the easiest way is to install the application Google Photos on any available iOS device or use the web version to download the archive. However, if the iPhone is not available, you will have to use the iCloud web interface.
Go to iCloud Photos through your browser, select the pictures you need and download them to your computer. Then upload them to photos.google.com. An alternative option is to use the Partnership feature in Google Photos if you have access to another Apple device where you are signed in to your account.
| Option | iCloud Photos | Google Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Photo Format | HEIC / JPEG | JPEG / PNG (conversion) |
| Compression | No loss of quality (original) | There is a high quality option |
| Synchronization | Automatic (if Wi-Fi is available) | Automatic (background) |
| Access from Android | Via browser | Native application |
It is worth considering that the format HEICused by default on the iPhone may not be supported by some older players on Android. Google Photos automatically converts them when uploaded, which solves the compatibility issue. If you download the archive manually, you may need to convert it to your PC.
What to do with Live Photos?
Live Photos, when transferred to Android, often lose the motion effect and remain ordinary static images. To save the “live photo” effect, you will need to use third-party converters or special applications from the Play Market, such as “intoLive” (if you have access to iOS) or analogues for Android.
Restoring WhatsApp and instant messengers
Transferring chat history WhatsApp from iPhone to Android without an old phone is a difficult task, but solvable if it was enabled iCloud backup. The official method requires an iPhone during initial setup, but there are workarounds through third-party utilities on a PC.
apps like AnyTrans or MobileTrans allow you to download a WhatsApp backup from iCloud to a computer, convert it to Android format and then transfer it to a new one. Xiaomi. This process is paid, but is often the only way to save message history.
For other instant messengers, such as Telegram or Viber, the situation is simpler. Telegram stores all history on its servers, so you just need to enter your phone number and verification code. In Viber, you must enable backup to Google Drive in advance (on any available device), if this has been done previously.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and backup methods may change with updates. Always check the latest instructions in the “Help” sections inside the messenger applications themselves before starting paid recovery procedures.
☑️ Checklist before resetting your settings
Manually transfer files via PC
If cloud methods seem too time-consuming or the amount of data is large, you can use a computer as intermediate link. Connect your new phone to your PC via a USB cable and select file transfer mode MTP. The Android file system will open on the computer, where you can simply drag and drop documents, music and videos.
For system files and documents, it is better to use the file manager Explorer on the Xiaomi smartphone itself. It allows you to connect to network drives or cloud storage as if they were local folders. This is a convenient way to download large files directly, bypassing the computer's memory.
Do not forget about the folder Download and system directories. Music is usually located in the folder Music, and ringtones in Ringtones. Correctly organizing files into folders immediately after transfer will save you from having to sort them in the future.
Using a PC as an intermediary is the fastest way to transfer gigabytes of video and music, since the speed of a USB cable is much higher than the speed of home Wi-Fi.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer applications from iPhone to Xiaomi?
Direct transfer of iOS executable files (.ipa) to Android (.apk) does not exist due to different operating system architectures. You will have to download all apps from Google Play Store again. However, if you log into service accounts (for example, Facebook, Instagram, banks), your data inside the applications will be saved.
What should I do if I forgot my Apple ID password?
Without a password, access to iCloud and backups is impossible. You will need to use the account recovery procedure on iforgot.apple.com. It may take a few days to verify your identity, but it is the only legal way to regain access.
Will notes from iPhone Notes be saved on Android?
Notes are not automatically transferred to Google Keep or Samsung Notes. You need to either export them manually via iCloud.com (by copying the text), or use third-party synchronizer applications that have versions for both iOS and Android (for example, Evernote or Notion), if you manage to install them on your iPhone before losing it.
Do you need to format the new phone before transferring?
If the phone is new and just out of the box, formatting is not required. If you have already started using Xiaomi and want to start transferring data “from scratch” via Mi Mover, you may need to reset the settings to activate the data reception mode on the welcome screen.