Google Quietly Launches Its Awaited 'Switch To Android' App on iOS

On Monday, Google quietly launched the Switch to Android app on the App Store in a number of global markets, including the U.S. From a report: As expected, the app promises to make the transition between mobile platforms easier to manage by helping users import their contacts, calendar, photos, and videos to their new Android phone. The app also instructs users how to turn off Apple's iMessage in order to get text messages on their new device and has them connect with iCloud to migrate their photo and video library to Android.

A good thing

[Registered Coward v2]

By making switching easier, it lessens the argument of lock in and increases competition. Ideally it would also identify the corresponding apps from teh same developer to make it even more seamless; while given Google vital personal information to monetize. We know they're doing this for the Android user, right?

Re:A good thing

[kqs]

Google makes it easy to switch to (and switch from) its services for the same reason that Apple makes it hard; they each perceive a strategic advantage in the way they do business. Since I prefer open platforms and a diverse set of devices, my choice is clear, but for someone who is willing to commit to "Only Apple Forevermore", their walled garden is a fine choice.

Google makes money by using information about you to send you ads; Apple makes money by overcharging for hardware (high-end hardware, but still overpriced). Both are valid strategies. And if they each make it easier to switch back and forth, we all benefit.

Re:

[AmiMoJo]

Google deserves credit for Takeout, it really does make migration away from them easy.

I'm hopeful this means that when my wife replaces her phone and tablet we can ditch Apple and go fully Android. Not need to pay for stuff twice, and USB C everything. Hopefully better security too.

Re:

[cayenne8]

Nice of Google to make it easy...

The larger questions is...who or how many would actually want to switch form iOS to Android?

I'm sure there are a few edge cases, but I can't imagine there's that many.

If anything I'd say it would be more people wanting to go the other way, simpler, more elegant experience for the most part for most common, non-geek users.

Re:

[fermion]

Is it as easy by bringing the two devices close together and imaging the resulting security cloud? Depending on how deep into the Apple kool aid th user is, this should not be an issue. The most complex thing should be transferring photos.

Re:

[AuMatar]

iMessage is going to be an order of magnitude harder than photos. Apple does not want people to break out of that lockin.

Re:

[fermion]

iMessage is really nice. However, it has never been hard for me to turn off. Last time I swapped out SIM cards, it turned off itself. This is more of a feature one decides is not so important than a lock in

Re:

[AuMatar]

You were lucky. There's plenty of people who have stories about missing texts for months and years after leaving iMessage. In addition, you lose all your message history.

Re:

[Heir Of The Mess]

I agree this is a good thing. I think iPhone users don't appreciate the platform they have. I think everyone should be forced to use Android for a while, like rich people who decide to live with homeless people for a week to see what it's like. I went from a Windows Phone, which was reasonably good, to a using a high end Android phone for a couple of years, which I found was awful laggy garbage compared to the nicely integrated device I had before, to an iPhone 13 Pro Max, which has been a breath of fresh a

Scan apps

[crow]

It should scan all your apps and add them to your Google Play library, making it easy to install the same set of apps on your new phone. It should also give you a list of apps that don't have exact matches on Android. They could even have a deal with developers to give free versions of paid apps for people who have bought them on Apple already, but that may be pushing it.

Re:

[JackieBrown]

They could even have a deal with developers to give free versions of paid apps for people who have bought them on Apple already, but that may be pushing it.

Google hasn't gotten their cut, yet.

Re:

[crow]

True, but if they got more people to switch to Android, it would still be a win. And people who pay for apps are more likely to pay for new apps in the future, so Google would love to swipe those customers.

yea

[baccaratclub]

Thank for post. All that has been said is correct. I'm much more comfortable using it.

Re:Awaited by who? Google PR?

[thegarbz]

You may not be interested but the single most frustrating thing my sister complained about when switching from IPhone to Android a few years back was precisely what this app solves. Additionally we have run multiple stories about how a switch has caused problems for people who have had iMessage configured, and this was big enough that it became subject to an antitrust investigation as well.

I'm glad you're happy with your iPhone. Not everyone is, and those people benefit greatly from this app.

Re:

[swell]

"I'm glad you're happy with your iPhone. Not everyone is, and those people benefit greatly from this app."

Unfortunately they will simply be exchanging known inconveniences for a device with inconveniences that they haven't yet discovered.

Re:

[Jeslijar]

This application isn't mandatory, and similar functionality exists to go the other way.

All devices have inconveniences though. You're always weighing pros and cons.

Re:

[thegarbz]

Unfortunately they will simply be exchanging known inconveniences for a device with inconveniences that they haven't yet discovered.

Who are you to judge whether their inconveniences are considered worse or better for their use case? My sister couldn't be happier about her switch. The OP complained about how bad the UI of Google apps were. Yep, horrible. But at least they aren't as bad as Apple's *IN MY OPINION*. I just decided to not continue with my Apple Music subscription simply because of the difficulty of navigating the app.

What works for one person doesn't mean it's good for someone else.

Re:

[GoTeam]

I like my iPhone, but I think having apps like this is great. It gives me options if Apple no longer suits my needs in the future.

No Thanks

[FudRucker]

I started with android because it is based on Linux but after seeing what a datamining spammy kludge google turned android into i switched ti iphone, at least until somebody makes a smartphone that has the OS boot from a microSD card like a Raspberry Pi and user replacable battery and touchscreen and other parts, and i dont care if it is half an inch thick, i am not buying it as a fashion lover but for itâ(TM)s function

Just Google it

[Catvid-22]

For starters, we have the Fairphone and Librem line of smartphones. I don't think they can boot from an SD card, but the batteries are user replaceable. The screen is "replaceable", although this would also involve the removal/replacement of some embedded electronics. Incidentally, newer versions of RPi don't need to boot from an SD card, as booting from USB-connected drive is also supported.

Re:

[WaffleMonster]

I started with android because it is based on Linux but after seeing what a datamining spammy kludge google turned android into i switched ti iphone, at least until somebody makes a smartphone that has the OS boot from a microSD card like a Raspberry Pi and user replacable battery and touchscreen and other parts, and i dont care if it is half an inch thick, i am not buying it as a fashion lover but for itÃ(TM)s function

Pinephone can boot from an SD card, has user replaceable batteries and physical dip switches to disable hardware like cameras and radios.

More targeted ads

[Yo,dog!]

Google: please install our app, so we'll know whom to target with ads for Android.

Apps?

[Larry Lightbulb]

Copying the photos and contacts, etc, seems simple. What would make people was to Android would being able to get the same applications without needing to repurchase them.