Google Drive Update Makes It Easier to Transfer iPhone Content to Android

[MacRumors]

Google Drive was updated today to make it easier for users to transfer their content from iOS devices to Android devices, Google announced. The company also published a new web page on the Android website detailing how it works.

Once a user downloads Google Drive from the App Store, they can navigate toward the backup wizard by going to Menu > Settings > Backup in the app. From there, users can choose to sync select contacts, calendar events and photos or everything. Google recommends that users backup when their iPhone is connected to power and is on Wi-Fi, as backing up can take several hours. Additionally, the Google Drive app must stay open and the screen must stay on.

When users sign into their Google account on their new Android device their content will automatically sync.

Google has tried to make it easier for iPhone users to switch to Android in recent months, packing in a "Quick Switch Adapter" with the Pixel, which quickly transfers data directly from an iPhone to a Pixel phone. While the Quick Switch Adapter only works with the Pixel phone, the Google Drive method will also work with non-Pixel Android phones.

iPhone users who want to switch to Android must turn off iMessage before they officially switch devices.

Google Drive is available in the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Google Drive Update Makes It Easier to Transfer iPhone Content to Android

 

[aussiephil]

Now that I'm not tied down by my iTunes purchases with Apple Music being available x-platforms, the notion of jumping ship even just temporarily is becoming more of a possibility had it not been for iMessage. Such a shame I don't want to be the green bubble amongst my friends..

 

[jonnysods]

That's an aggressive and convenient feature. I tried android 4.0 for about 6 months. It was okay, but I had to switch back to iOS. Couldn't live without iMessage on my computer!!

 

[TheRealTVGuy]

But then you have to use Android... yuck.

 

[dan110]

I just might be using this some time next year or so.

 

[44267547]

I just might be using this some time next year or so.

Samsung has the S8 release in April I believe.

 

[Aston441]

If it wasn't for stupid iMessage lock in I'd probably have jumped back to Android already.

 

[C DM]

If it wasn't for stupid iMessage lock in I'd probably have jumped back to Android already.

"iMessage lock in"?

 

[Aston441]

"iMessage lock in"?

All my friends and family expect me to be able to see all the silly stuff they send. Like the poster above expressed, it sucks to be the odd green bubble.

 

[bopajuice]

Now that I'm not tied down by my iTunes purchases with Apple Music being available x-platforms, the notion of jumping ship even just temporarily is becoming more of a possibility had it not been for iMessage. Such a shame I don't want to be the green bubble amongst my friends..

So your issue is with social acceptance?

 

[C DM]

All my friends and family expect me to be able to see all the silly stuff they send. Like the poster above expressed, it sucks to be the odd green bubble.

It's interesting how something like the color of message bubbles might matter for some.

 

[Aston441]

It's interesting how something like the color of message bubbles might matter for some.

It's also about being able to send live pics, vids, etc and knowing exactly what is seen at the other end. Android just doesn't have an equivalent yet, unfortunately.

 

[C DM]

It's also about being able to send live pics, vids, etc and knowing exactly what is seen at the other end. Android just doesn't have an equivalent yet, unfortunately.

I'm not sure about Live Photos specifically, but certainly plenty of messengers support photos, videos, all kinds of other media, etc. But I guess it comes down to what one uses and prefers.

 

[NickD73]

It's interesting how something like the color of message bubbles might matter for some.

Nobody ever accused Apple fanboys of being rational.
[doublepost=1481700378][/doublepost]I'm switching away from iOS and MacOS within the year. Done with this company suffering from hubris and intoxication off the success of Steve.

 

[hagar]

It's also about being able to send live pics, vids, etc and knowing exactly what is seen at the other end. Android just doesn't have an equivalent yet, unfortunately.

Yes they have. They are called Whatsapp, FB Messenger, Telegram, ...

Amongst my friends (Europe) nobody uses SMS (paid) or iMessage (too limited). Of all the reasons to stay with iOS, iMessage is the least of my concerns.

 

[576316]

Might find myself using this sooner rather than later. If Apple continue releasing garbage products and disappoint everyone with next year's iPhone.

 

[symphara]

It's also about being able to send live pics, vids, etc and knowing exactly what is seen at the other end. Android just doesn't have an equivalent yet, unfortunately.

It has several - Hangouts, Allo (the Google-made ones), WhatsApp etc. I use these three and they support pics/vids just fine, plus the Google ones have location support which is very useful.

Live photos is of course an Apple-only feature but to be honest it seems little more than a gimmick. In any case here in Switzerland I haven't heard of anyone - iPhone users included - to actually use iMessage. It seems more of a US thing. Here WhatsApp and Hangouts are the most used chat apps as far as I can tell, and they're multiplatform.

 

[DaveOP]

Yes they have. They are called Whatsapp, FB Messenger, Telegram, ...

Amongst my friends (Europe) nobody uses SMS (paid) or iMessage (too limited). Of all the reasons to stay with iOS, iMessage is the least of my concerns.

Here in the States, nobody in my circle uses Whatsapp or FB messenger, it seems. (Unless chatting with people outside of the country). The lock-in is that none of the iPhone users are going to install an app just to text with me properly, so we are stuck on iOS with iMessage.

 

[bwintx]

If you're on Verizon Wireless, one option for beginning to transition away from iMessage even while you're still on iOS is Verizon's Messages+ app. Available for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows, as well as via the Web. Actually gets pretty decent reviews and so far my experience with it on several platforms has been good. I have deregistered from the iMessage service itself but, as the Web articles say, it takes a while for incoming texts to stop coming to the iMessage app, too.

 

[Parasprite]

Damn. And just as I copied the last bit over...

Yes they have. They are called Whatsapp, FB Messenger, Telegram, ...

Telegram is super nice. It's got slightly more than SMS but without a ton of extra stuff and, unlike most of the other messaging apps I've seen, doesn't require you to make an account (you just verify you phone number).

If it weren't for telegram I'd really miss iMessage.