Transfer WhatsApp From iPhone to Xiaomi: Full Guide

This guide walks you through moving your WhatsApp chat history, photos, and voice messages from an iPhone to a Xiaomi phone. The method uses WhatsApp’s built-in Move Chats to iOS/Android feature, which transfers your data directly over a local Wi-Fi connection without needing a computer. Before you start, make sure both phones are charged above 50%, connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and that your Xiaomi has enough free storage for the transferred data.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone with WhatsApp installed and logged in
Your Xiaomi phone with WhatsApp installed (download from the Google Play Store or Xiaomi’s GetApps store)
A charging cable for each phone (recommended to keep them plugged in during transfer)
Both phones connected to the same Wi-Fi network
Your iPhone’s Lightning cable (not required for the transfer itself, but useful if you need to back up first)

Step-by-Step

Update WhatsApp on both phones. Open the App Store on your iPhone and the Google Play Store (or GetApps) on your Xiaomi. Install any pending WhatsApp updates so both versions are current.
Back up your iPhone WhatsApp data (optional but recommended). Open WhatsApp on your iPhone, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup, and tap Back Up Now. This creates a safety net in iCloud in case the direct transfer fails.
On your Xiaomi, install WhatsApp and verify your phone number. Open WhatsApp, accept the terms, and enter your phone number. You will receive a verification code via SMS or call. Enter the code to proceed.
Choose the transfer option. After verification, WhatsApp will ask if you want to restore from a backup or transfer from an old phone. Select Transfer from old phone. If you don’t see this option, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and choose Transfer chat history.
On your iPhone, open WhatsApp and go to the transfer screen. Tap Settings > Chats > Move Chats to Android. This screen shows a QR code.
Scan the QR code with your Xiaomi. On the Xiaomi, tap Scan QR code and point the camera at the QR code displayed on your iPhone. Both phones will now connect to each other over a local Wi-Fi network.
Keep both phones unlocked and close together. Do not lock either screen or switch to another app. The transfer will begin automatically. You’ll see a progress bar on both devices.
Wait for the transfer to complete. The time depends on the amount of data. A few hundred MB can take 10–20 minutes. Large video-heavy chats can take over an hour. Do not move the phones or turn off Wi-Fi.
Finish setup on your Xiaomi. When the transfer finishes, WhatsApp will show a confirmation. Tap Done or Continue to enter the app. Your chats, media, and settings should now be on the Xiaomi.
Check your chats and media. Open a few conversations to confirm messages and images are present. If anything is missing, repeat the process after backing up the iPhone again.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the iPhone backup. If the direct transfer fails mid-way, you lose nothing if you have an iCloud backup. Always back up first.
Using mobile data instead of Wi-Fi. The transfer requires both phones on the same Wi-Fi network. Mobile hotspots can work, but a regular router is more stable.
Locking the iPhone screen. The transfer stops if the iPhone locks. Disable auto-lock temporarily in Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and set it to Never.
Verifying the number on the Xiaomi before starting. If you skip the verification step, the transfer option won’t appear. Complete the SMS verification first.
Moving the phones apart. Keep them within a few feet of each other. A weak local connection can cause the transfer to stall or fail.
Not updating WhatsApp on either phone. Older versions lack the Move Chats feature or have bugs. Update both apps before starting.

Tips

Use a wired connection for the Xiaomi (optional). On some Xiaomi models, you can connect the iPhone to the Xiaomi using a Lightning-to-USB-C cable after scanning the QR code. This is faster and more reliable for large transfers. When prompted, choose “Wired” instead of Wi-Fi.
Free up space on the Xiaomi first. The transfer needs roughly the same amount of free storage as the size of your WhatsApp data. Check Settings > Storage on the Xiaomi and delete unused apps or files if needed.
Disable battery saver on the Xiaomi. Some Xiaomi models aggressively kill background processes. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver and turn it off during the transfer.
Keep both phones plugged in. A long transfer can drain the battery. Connect both to chargers to avoid shutdowns.
Do not open WhatsApp on the Xiaomi during transfer. Let the process run in the foreground. Switching apps can interrupt the connection.

Troubleshooting

Transfer fails with “Connection lost” or “Network error”. Restart both phones, reconnect to the same Wi-Fi, and try again. If it persists, use the wired cable method (Lightning to USB-C) if your Xiaomi supports it.
The QR code won’t scan. Clean both camera lenses, increase screen brightness on the iPhone, and hold the Xiaomi steady about 20–30 cm away. Ensure no other QR code is on screen.
The transfer stalls at a certain percentage. Do not cancel. Wait 5 minutes. If it doesn’t resume, cancel, back up the iPhone again, and restart the process.
WhatsApp on the Xiaomi shows “Restore from backup” instead of “Transfer”. You may have skipped the transfer option. Uninstall WhatsApp from the Xiaomi, reinstall, verify your number again, and this time choose Transfer from old phone.
After transfer, some media files are missing. This can happen if the iPhone ran out of iCloud storage and not all media was downloaded locally. On the iPhone, open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage, and download all media. Then repeat the transfer.
Transfer completes but chats are empty. The phone number on the Xiaomi may differ from the one on the iPhone. Both must use the same phone number. Reinstall WhatsApp on the Xiaomi and verify with the exact same number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I transfer WhatsApp from iPhone to Xiaomi without a computer?
A: Yes. The Move Chats to Android feature works entirely over Wi-Fi between the two phones. No PC or Mac is needed.

Q: Does the transfer include photos and videos?
A: Yes, all media that is stored locally on your iPhone (not just in iCloud) transfers over. If media was offloaded to iCloud, download it first on the iPhone.

Q: Will my call history and star messages transfer?
A: Chat history, including text messages, media, and voice notes, transfers. Call history and star ratings are not guaranteed to transfer in all cases; check after the transfer.

Q: What if I already set up WhatsApp on my Xiaomi?
A: You must uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on the Xiaomi, then choose the transfer option during setup. You cannot merge existing chats with a transfer.

Q: How long does the transfer take?
A: For 1 GB of data, expect 15–30 minutes over Wi-Fi. Wired transfer is faster. The progress bar shows the exact time remaining.

Q: Can I use WhatsApp on both phones after the transfer?
A: No. WhatsApp only works on one phone per number. Once the transfer completes, the iPhone’s WhatsApp will be deactivated for that number.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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