Changing the ecosystem from iOS to Android often seems like a complex and scary process for users. However, modern developer tools make it data migration as simple and painless as possible. If you purchased a new smartphone Xiaomi or Redmi and want to take with you all the contacts, photos and messages from your iPhone, you do not need to do it manually.
There are several proven ways to perform the transfer, starting from built-in MIUI utilities and ending with cloud services. It is important to understand that some types of data, such as installed applications, cannot be copied directly due to differences in operating systems. However, the bulk of personal information is completely preserved.
In this article we will look at the most effective methods for synchronizing devices. You will learn how to use the proprietary application Mi Mover, how to set up an account Google to automatically download contacts and what nuances may arise when transferring multimedia files.
Preparing devices for the migration process
Before you start directly copying files, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. The success of the operation directly depends on the condition of both smartphones and the quality of their connection. Ignoring this step may result in crashes or loss of some information.
Make sure that both devices have sufficient battery power. Transferring large volumes of photos and videos can take a long time and require a lot of energy. It is also recommended to free up space on the new device Xiaomiif it has already been used before.
⚠️ Attention: Do not start transferring data if the charge level on one of the smartphones is below 50%. A sudden power loss while the database is being written can result in file system corruption.
For wireless data transfer, both phones must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network or be in close proximity to each other to create a hotspot. If you plan to use a cable, check the availability of the appropriate adapter from Lightning to USB-C.
☑️ Preparing for transfer
Using the Mi Mover application for a complete transfer
The most reliable and fastest way is to use the standard utility Mi Mover. This application comes pre-installed on all smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO and is specially designed for migration from other platforms, including iOS.
Launch the application on your new Android device and select the “I am the recipient” role. The system will prompt you to select the type of old device - specify iPhone. On an old smartphone, you will need to download a similar application from the App Store or use the web version if installation is not possible.
After launching the app on iPhone select the “I am the sender” role. The new phone's camera will scan the QR code displayed on the old device's screen, or you can enter the password manually to create a secure communication channel. This method uses Wi-Fi Directwhich provides high transfer speeds without consuming Internet traffic.
The application interface allows you to flexibly configure the types of transferred data. You can select only contacts and messages or add a gallery and system settings. Click the “Submit” button to start the process.
If Mi Mover freezes at the QR code scanning stage, try temporarily disabling mobile data on both devices and leave only the Wi-Fi module active.
The waiting time depends on the amount of information. When transferring several gigabytes of photos, the process may take 15 to 40 minutes. Do not minimize the application and keep the device screens turned on until the operation is completed.
Synchronization via Google account and cloud services
An alternative method involves the use of cloud infrastructure Google. This method is especially convenient if you already actively use search engine services or plan to do so in the future on a new device.
On iPhone you need to install the Google Drive or Google Contacts application. Log in to your account and go to the application settings. Activate the contacts and calendar backup feature. The data will be uploaded to the company’s servers.
After this, on your smartphone Xiaomi log in to the same account Google. Go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization and make sure that the switches opposite Contacts and Calendar are active. The system will automatically pull up information from the cloud.
| Data type | Mi Mover | Google Account | iCloud (manual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Photos | Yes | Via Google Photos | No (PC required) |
| SMS messages | Yes | No | No |
| Applications | List only | No | No |
For photos it is best to use the application Google Photos. Install it on iPhone, enable auto-download and wait until synchronization is complete. On the new phone, all pictures will appear in the gallery automatically after authorization.
⚠️ Attention: Free space in a Google account is limited to 15 GB. If you have a large photo archive, you may need to buy more space or choose selective downloading.
Transferring multimedia files via a computer
If wireless methods seem unreliable or too slow to you, you can use the “old-fashioned” method using a personal computer. This option gives you complete control over your files and allows you to structure them before downloading.
Connect iPhone to your computer via cable. On Windows devices, you may need to install drivers or use a app iTunes to access the file system, although standard File Explorer is often sufficient for copying photos.
Copy media folders (usually DCIM) to your computer's hard drive. After that, disconnect the iPhone and connect the smartphone Xiaomi. In file transfer mode (MTP), simply drag the saved data to the internal memory or memory card of the new device.
Why may the computer not see the iPhone?
Often the problem lies in the cable. Many cheap cables only support charging and not data transfer. Try using an original Apple cable or a certified replacement. Also unlock your phone screen and click “Trust this computer” when prompted.
With this method, it is worth paying attention to file formats. Photos in the HEICformat standard for iOS may not open on some versions of Android without installing additional codecs. It is recommended to convert them to JPG in advance.
Features of transferring messages and call history
Transferring text messages (SMS) and call history is one of the most difficult stages of migration due to the closed architecture of iOS. Standard Android tools often do not have access to the message database. iPhone.
The application Mi Mover is one of the few tools that can correctly process this type of data. It creates a temporary data packet that is decrypted at the receiving device. However, iMessage support is not provided here - these messages are tied to Apple servers.
If you used third-party instant messengers such as WhatsApp or Telegramthe situation is different. To Telegram it’s enough just to log into your account on a new device - the entire correspondence history will be downloaded from the cloud.
With WhatsApp everything is a little more complicated. It is necessary to create a backup copy of chats on iPhone in the settings of the messenger itself. Unfortunately, direct migration of WhatsApp chat history from iOS to Android is not officially supported in all regions and requires a cable or special utilities when initially setting up your phone.
⚠️ Attention: After transferring your data, be sure to sign out of iMessage on your old iPhone. If you don't do this, messages from other iPhone users may continue to arrive on your old device and not on your new Android.
iMessage does not work on Android. Before changing your phone, turn off iMessage in the iPhone settings so as not to lose important messages from contacts with Apple devices.
Common problems and ways to solve them
During the migration process, users may encounter various technical difficulties. Most often, problems are associated with an unstable network connection or software conflicts between OS versions.
If the data transfer is interrupted in the middle, try rebooting both devices and starting the process again. Make sure that your phone Xiaomi has power saving mode turned off, which may limit the operation of the Wi-Fi module in the background.
Sometimes users complain that contacts are displayed incorrectly or are duplicated. In this case, go to the Contacts app, select settings and use the Merge Duplicates feature. Also check which account the entries are being displayed from.
Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Mi Mover → PermissionsMake sure that the application Mi Mover has all the necessary permissions, including access to storage, contacts and phone. Without these rights, the app simply will not be able to read the data for sending.
What to do if photos are not transferred?
Check the file format. iOS uses HEIC, which may not be supported by older versions of MIUI. Try changing the camera format to “Most Compatible” (JPEG) in the iPhone settings before the next transfer, or install the HEIC viewer application from Google Play on Xiaomi.
FAQ: Questions and Answers
Is it possible to transfer installed applications from iPhone to Xiaomi?
Directly transfer the application files themselves (.ipa) are not possible because they are not compatible with Android. However, the Google Play store often offers to install analogues of popular apps. The list of installed applications can be seen in Mi Mover, but you will have to download them again.
Do I need a cable for Mi Mover to work?
No, the application creates its own Wi-Fi network for data transfer. A cable is only required in specific scenarios, such as an official migration of WhatsApp chats or if the wireless connection is extremely unstable.
Will information be deleted from the old iPhone after the transfer?
No, the copying process creates a duplicate of the data on the new device. The original information on iPhone remains untouched. You can erase it manually only after you make sure that all the data on the new phone works correctly.
Why don't I receive SMS after transferring a SIM card?
Make sure that you have disabled iMessage on your old Apple device. While this service is active and associated with your number, Apple servers can intercept messages intended for an Android smartphone.