EU Takes Credit for Apple and Google's Upcoming iPhone-Android Data Transfer Tools

[MacRumors]

The simplified smartphone switching Apple and Google are adopting is an example of how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) benefits users and developers, the European Commission said today. Apple and Google are making it easier for users to switch between iPhone and Android smartphones, adding an option to transfer data from another smartphone during the device setup process.

Apple and Google are implementing this functionality because the DMA requires services to offer effective data portability to avoid data lock-in to an operating system. The EC says the new interoperability is a "direct result of the DMA."

The European Commission welcomes the cross-OS data portability solution that has been communicated by Apple and Google. This is an example of how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) brings benefits to users and developers.

This OS portability solution will allow users to easily transfer data from iPhone to Android and vice versa when they set up a new device. It will support many types of data, including: contacts, calendar events, messages, photos, documents, Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and even data from third-party apps. It will also work wirelessly. These are major upgrades compared to the currently limited data transfer solutions.

The DMA is also the reason why Apple and Google designed a simplified eSIM transfer solution earlier this year. The EC says that both new features were made possible by "extensive engineering work and collaboration" between the two companies, along with "intensive discussions with the Commission."

Taken together, the eSIM transfer and the OS data portability solutions will greatly simplify the experience of users who want to switch from an iPhone to an Android phone, or vice versa. This improved data portability across platforms brings more user choice, which drives competition and creates more incentives to innovate. Users should be able to pick a new phone based on innovative features, not based on where their data is locked.

Apple and Google are currently testing the new smartphone switching solution. Google implemented it in an Android Canary build, and Apple is expected to add it in a future update to iOS 26. Apple and Google will support transferring contacts, messages, photos, documents, Wi-Fi networks, passwords, information from third-party apps, and more.

Though Apple and Google are implementing simplified switching due to DMA requirements, it is functionality that will be rolled out worldwide and not just in Europe.

The European Commission is highlighting DMA wins because earlier this year, Apple commissioned a study that said the Digital Markets Act has failed to lower App Store prices for consumers. Apple said the DMA has "failed to live up to its promises," and has only delivered "less security, less privacy, and a worse experience for consumers across Europe."

Article Link: EU Takes Credit for Apple and Google's Upcoming iPhone-Android Data Transfer Tools

 

[CalMin]

The EU argued for this to prevent 'lock-in'.

I wonder what real effect it will have on the marketplace. Transferring from one device to another is not the issue - it's the walled gardens around their device ecosystems (e.g. purchased Apps, device exclusives, Apple Music/Google Play etc.) that creates the real barrier to switching.

I'm not saying it is a bad thing, it's just I don't think it will change consumer options in any meaningful way.

 

[MacLawyer]

We are living in one messed up world right now folks.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Gobbless the EU, whatever would we do without their meddling with the App Store and banning the Lightning Connector?

 

[tonmischa]

We are living in one messed up world right now folks.

says the man with the quote of a neo-nazi and convicted child pornographer in his signature.

 

[KPOM]

The world would be better off if the EU went the way of the dodo. The EU is stifling economic growth and the European Commission’s “solution” is to try to export its regulatory regime worldwide to bring everyone else down to their level.

 

[weckart]

The world would be better off if the EU went the way of the dodo. The EU is stifling economic growth and the European Commission’s “solution” is to try to export its regulatory regime worldwide to bring everyone else down to their level.

Nah. More power to the EU. That "economic growth" never seems to benefit the average Joe, just the 1% who ride roughshod over anyone who stands in their way.

 

[tonmischa]

The EU is stifling economic growth

How is forcing companies to be more compatible stifling economic growth?
Instead of being able to lock customers in, they have to really compete in the marketplace. How is that not capitalism in its purest form?

 

[Madonepro]

Typical of the EU to grandstand and intimate its power.
So when are the EU going to force Porsche, to allow me to transfer the electronics from my Ford Focus to a 911, so I can have the same experiences?

 

[JPack]

And rightfully so.

Less barriers are always beneficial for customers. Otherwise, we'd still be using Lightning instead of USB-C.

 

[tennisproha]

I mean they wouldn't have done it otherwise so yeah

 

[Madonepro]

Nah. More power to the EU. That "economic growth" never seems to benefit the average Joe, just the 1% who ride roughshod over anyone who stands in their way.

Ah yes, the EU. The one that protests so often, yet are attempting to unify all the countries within it, to its one rules, that won’t permit outsiders to be involved in.

 

[acconda81]

how exciting 🥱
The EU is a joke anyway.

 

[Madonepro]

And rightfully so.

Less barriers are always beneficial for customers. Otherwise, we'd still be using Lightning instead of USB-C.

Perhaps the EU could make all the products too?
I have many, current and relevant products in my home, that use USB-A, Micro USB, and many proprietary connections at device input, yet I don’t see the EU trying to standardise those.
According to the EU, Brexit will destroy the UK, but what we’ve seen, is a global inflation period, due to Covid economic policies.

 

[surferfb]

I have no issues with the EU requiring or taking credit for this. Unlike most of the DMA, I have no issues with this requirement.

As the saying goes, a stopped clock is right twice a day.

 

[marblesbarkley]

“taking credit” is a weird way to word the headline, guys

 

[whatnot]

Perhaps the EU could make all the products too?
I have many, current and relevant products in my home, that use USB-A, Micro USB, and many proprietary connections at device input, yet I don’t see the EU trying to standardise those.
According to the EU, Brexit will destroy the UK, but what we’ve seen, is a global inflation period, due to Covid economic policies.

lol @ Brexit shoehorn, but I'll bite:

The government’s Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts that U.K. exports and imports will both be around 15% lower in the long run than if the U.K. had remained in the EU, and economic productivity 4% less than it otherwise would have been.​

'they need us more than we do' etc.

 

[Kidseeghost]

Lol. It had nothing to do with Apple failing to implement its AI. No, it was due to the EU bureaucracy. Nor was it due to the agreement between Google and Apple regarding the use of Gemini.

 

[Octavius8]

To truly benefit consumers with more options and competition, EU should allow and encourage other ecosystems, like, you know, Huawei.

 

[CarAnalogy]

And rightfully so.

Less barriers are always beneficial for customers. Otherwise, we'd still be using Lightning instead of USB-C.

As crazy as it seems you're probably right. I'll never forget how disgusted Joz looked when he said "we'll obviously have to comply" in response to the question about switching to USB-C.

What's disgusting is how long it took them to do something so obviously beneficial to everyone but them.

 

[tonmischa]

EU should allow and encourage other ecosystems, like, you know, Huawei.

So you have a problem when your governemnt can access your phone, but you have no problem with China accessing your phone.
Did I get this right?

 

[Kidseeghost]

The world would be better off if the EU went the way of the dodo. The EU is stifling economic growth and the European Commission’s “solution” is to try to export its regulatory regime worldwide to bring everyone else down to their level.

I read somewhere that EU fines against US tech companies are higher than their total tax revenue of their own tech companies. Perhaps that's the main reason for this bloated bureaucracy. That's the state of the EU. And it's only going to get worse. They're an outdated and old economy, stuck in their old ways and unable to keep up with competitors who have long since overtaken them without them even realizing it. The economic situation in Germany is currently bad, and we will see german car manufacturers going out of business one by one within the next decade. If Germany fails, the EU will be in trouble.

 

[tonmischa]

we will see german car manufacturers going out of business one by one within the next decade.

Because they clung to fossil fuels (which was supported by the right-leaning german government and their stuck-in-the-past leaders - looking at you, Markus Soder)
EU actually declared the end of fossil fuel cars by 2035. But the german government is now actively trying to reverse that decision.

 

[Kidseeghost]

And rightfully so.

Less barriers are always beneficial for customers. Otherwise, we'd still be using Lightning instead of USB-C.

I also think there should be no barriers from preventing you taking your data from on device to another device or preventing you using your device (that you bought and own) with other devices. I am kind of unsure what to think of the USB C situation. Like in cars having one universal port to fuel energy is a good thing and needed but its a phone and it was only Apple who didn’t went with USB C and they would have switched anyway since the plan was to keep lightning around for 10 years. Also speeds for the Pro would have made them switch to USB C anyway. Now we may have slowed development for a better future port.

 

[djphat2000]

The EU argued for this to prevent 'lock-in'.

I wonder what real effect it will have on the marketplace. Transferring from one device to another is not the issue - it's the walled gardens around their device ecosystems (e.g. purchased Apps, device exclusives, Apple Music/Google Play etc.) that creates the real barrier to switching.

You can get Apple Music on Android. So your account just goes over to where ever you login to it.
Device exclusives is part of the reason to buy one device over another. What "IT" has vs what the others "Have".
Most applications are subscription based anyway, so it's just a login.
I'm just not seeing the lock in many are talking about.

I'm not saying it is a bad thing, it's just I don't think it will change consumer options in any meaningful way.

I'm certainly for the ability to migrate from one platform to another. Be it with a wire or via Wi-Fi. I just don't want every device to be the same as every other device. With nothing special about one over the other.