The transition from the Apple ecosystem to Android, in particular to smartphones Redmi, often raises concerns among users about the loss of important data. Many are accustomed to isolation iOS and have no idea how to transfer contacts, photos and messages to a new platform without loss. However, modern tools from Xiaomi and Google have made this process as automated and simple as possible, requiring only minimal user interaction. You don't need to be a technical expert to successfully migrate to a new device.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods of transferring information, from using a proprietary application Mi Mover to cloud synchronization via Google Drive. We'll look at nuances that are often overlooked, such as migrating WhatsApp or setting up two-factor authentication. Proper preparation of the original device ensures that your new one will work with the same data as your old phone in minutes. The main thing is to follow the sequence of actions and not skip the authorization steps. iPhone guarantees that your new Redmi will work with the same data as the old phone in a matter of minutes. The main thing is to follow the sequence of actions and not skip the authorization steps.
Preparing iPhone and Redmi for data migration
Before launching any copy tools, you need to make sure that both devices are ready for use. On iPhone you should check the availability of free space and the relevance of the version iOS, since older versions of the operating system may not work correctly with new transmission protocols. Also make sure that Bluetooth is turned on on both smartphones, since data transfer often occurs over a local network created by one of the devices. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, since data transfer often occurs over a local network created by one of the devices.
On the side Redmi (working on MIUI or HyperOS) it is important not to activate the final setup before transferring, if the phone is just out of the box. During the initial setup process, the system itself will offer to copy the data, but manually launching the application is often more reliable. Charge both devices to at least 60%, as actively transferring large amounts of data, especially high-resolution photos and videos, significantly drains battery power.
⚠️ Attention: If Find My iPhone or Apple ID two-factor authentication is enabled on your iPhone, make sure you remember your account password. During the migration process, the system may request proof of identity, and blocking the Apple ID will make the phone unsuitable for sale or data transfer.
Particular attention should be paid to the account Google. Since Android it is tied to Google services, you must either have an existing account or create a new one. It is in this account that contacts, calendar and system settings will be saved. Without logging into a Google account, full use Redmi will be limited, so this step is fundamental for a successful migration.
☑️ Preparing devices for transfer
Using the Mi Mover application for wireless transfer
The most effective and native way for owners Xiaomi and Redmi is the use of the application Mi Mover. This tool is designed specifically for migration from other platforms, including iOS. On a new smartphone Redmi the application is usually preinstalled in the “Tools” or “Services” folder. If it is not there, you can download it from GetApps or the official website, however iPhone installation may require changing the App Store region or using alternative methods if the application is not available in your region.
The process begins by launching the application on both devices. On Redmi you select the role “Recipient”, and on iPhone - “Sender”. The app will create a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot. You will need to connect iPhone to this network through your Wi-Fi settings. Once connected, the devices will exchange security keys and data scanning will begin.
Interface Mi Mover allows you to select specific types of data to transfer. You can exclude heavy video files or system junk, leaving only contacts, messages and important documents. The transfer speed depends on the amount of data and the quality of the wireless module, but on average transferring 32 GB of information takes about 15-20 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: While Mi Mover is running, do not switch to other applications and do not lock the iPhone screen. iOS strictly limits background activity, and minimizing the app can break the connection, interrupting the process halfway.
What to do if Mi Mover does not see the iPhone?
If automatic detection does not work, try manually connecting to the Wi-Fi network created by Redmi through the iPhone settings. Also make sure that on your iPhone, local network access is allowed for the Mi Mover app in the Privacy -> Local Network section. Sometimes rebooting both devices helps.
Synchronization via Google Account and cloud services
An alternative and often more reliable method is to use cloud services. Synchronization via account is ideal for contacts, calendar and notes. Google. On iPhone you need to go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts, add a Google account and turn on the “Contacts” toggle switch. This action will upload the entire phone book to the Google cloud.
For photos and videos, it is best to use the application Google Photos. By installing it on iPhone and logging into your account, you can enable the “Startup” function. All your media files in original quality (or in space-saving mode) will be saved in the cloud. On the new one Redmi it is enough to log into the same account, and the entire gallery will be available instantly.
This method is good because it does not require devices to be constantly located next to each other. You can set up synchronization iPhone in the evening, and in the morning unpack Redmi and get all the data. However, for large amounts of data (for example, 100+ GB of photos) you will need a stable and fast Internet connection, as well as initial download time.
Use the Data Saver mode in Google Photos only if you have limited cloud space. For maximum quality, choose original quality, but watch out for the 15 GB quota provided by Google for free.
Migration of instant messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber
Transferring chat history in instant messengers is the most difficult part of migration due to different database architectures in iOS and Android. In the case of Telegram there are no problems at all: just install the application on Redmi, enter the phone number, and all chats, channels and media are synchronized automatically via the cloud.
With WhatsApp the situation is different. The official method involves using the "Transfer Chats" function inside the WhatsApp app on Android when setting up your phone for the first time. Xiaomi has also introduced support for the official Meta tool for data transfer. When you first launch WhatsApp on Redmi follow the instructions on the screen: the application will ask you to scan the QR code from iPhone (via Settings → Chats → Transferring chats).
For Viber the process is also automated, but requires creating a backup copy. On iPhone create a backup in Viber Settings → Account → Backup. Please note that the Viber backup on iOS is saved in iCloud, and on Android it should be in Google Drive. Direct transfer of an iCloud backup to Google Drive is impossible without using special functions during the initial setup of Android or third-party software.
| Messenger | Transfer method | History is saved | PC required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telegram | Cloud synchronization | Yes (completely) | No |
| QR code / Mi Mover | Yes (media and text) | No | |
| Viber | Backup | Yes (new backup required) | No |
| Signal | Transfer via QR | Yes | No |
Transferring media files and documents via computer
If wireless methods seem too slow or unstable to you, there is always the “old school” - transmission via a computer. To iPhone you will need the app iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on macOS). Connect iPhone to your PC and copy photos and videos to a folder on your hard drive.
Then connect Redmi to your computer in file transfer mode (MTP). Copy previously saved media files to the internal memory of your smartphone, preferably to a folder DCIM/Cameraso that they are automatically detected by the system as photographs and included in the gallery. This method is ideal for transferring large video files to 4K, which can weigh tens of gigabytes.
For documents and music, the process is similar. You can simply drag and drop files into any convenient folders on Redmi. Android is more flexible in working with the file system than iOS, so you can create your own folder structure for sorting documents, which is especially convenient for users who are used to working with files like on a PC.
⚠️ Attention: When copying files via a computer, make sure you are using an original or certified cable. Cheap cables can only support charging, but not data transfer, which will lead to an error connecting the device to the PC.
Possible problems and their solutions
Despite the smooth running of the processes, sometimes failures occur. One of the common problems is Google authorization error on a new device. This may be due to account protection: Google sees the login from a new device and new geolocation and blocks the login. This can be solved by confirming login via a notification on the old device or by entering a code from SMS.
Another common problem is “broken” contacts, when names are written in the same language, but numbers are not saved. This can be solved by clearing the Contacts application cache on Redmi and resynchronizing. It is also worth checking whether filtering for displaying only certain accounts is enabled in the phone book settings.
If Mi Mover hangs at a certain percentage, try turning off mobile data on iPhone leaving only Wi-Fi. Sometimes the system tries to use both communication channels at the same time, which causes IP address conflicts. Restarting the application on both devices also helps.
Most errors when transferring data are not related to broken phones, but to an unstable network connection or outdated versions of applications. Update all apps before starting.
What to do if there is no application from the App Store on Android?
Many applications have analogues in the Google Play Market under the same names. If there is no exact copy, look for the web version of the service or an alternative application with similar functionality. Unfortunately, paid applications purchased from the App Store are not transferred to Android; you will have to buy them again.
How to transfer passwords from iCloud Keychain to Google?
The easiest way is to install the Chrome browser on your iPhone, log into your Google account and enable password synchronization. Then on Android, simply sign in to the same account. You can also export passwords from iCloud to a CSV file through the iCloud.com settings on your computer, but this is less secure.
Will alarms and calendar settings be reset?
Alarm settings often do not transfer automatically between different OSes. The calendar will transfer if you used Google or Exchange synchronization. The alarms will have to be set up again, which will take a couple of minutes, but will ensure they work correctly in the new environment.