Google Launches 'Switch to Android' iOS App to Attract iPhone Users

[MacRumors]

Google this week launched a new "Switch to Android" app on iOS, which is designed to make it easy for iPhone users to swap over to an Android-based device.

As noted by TechCrunch, Google rolled the app out on Monday in the United States and several other markets, but with little fanfare. The app promises to help users securely move important data, quickly and wirelessly.

Google already maintains a "Switch to Android" website with instructions for transitioning, but the app should make it even easier. iPhone to Android switchers can swap over photos, videos, contacts, and calendar events, plus Google provides instructions on turning off iMessage and moving photos and videos from iCloud.

Apple has its own competing website designed for Android users that want to swap over to iPhone, along with a dedicated "Move to iOS" app that transfers contacts, message history, photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, and calendars. Apple's app works just like Google's, with wireless data transfer capabilities.

Article Link: Google Launches 'Switch to Android' iOS App to Attract iPhone Users

 

[dohspc]

Why would anyone do this?

 

[Colstan]

Good luck with that.

As someone with an Android tablet, I'm looking forward to getting an iPad mini, sooner rather than later.

 

[ethanwa79]

How is Google allowed to have this on the iOS App Store, yet in my app descriptions I can’t even put “this app is also available on Android phones” without Apple rejecting my submission?

Edit for clarity: I’m not arguing Apple pull this app… I’m saying that Apple should be letting me mention my Android app in my product descriptions on the App Store if they are letting Google make an app like this.

 

[Sir_Macs_A_Lot]

While I admit that Android does have some innovative features that seem to take a while before getting adopted by Apple...most Android systems are a dis-jointed mess that I couldn't imagine using on a daily basis. Thanks, but no thanks!

 

[oldoneeye]

I like the caption "copying your data" .... followed by the comment "Ha we own you !" I guess

 

[GeoStructural]

How is Google allowed to have this on the iOS App Store, yet in my app descriptions I can’t even put “this app is also available on Android phones” without Apple rejecting my submission?

Don’t give Apple too much credit, remember when they launched Apple Maps —to much disaster— it took a suspiciously long time for Apple to “review” Google Maps and allow it in the App Store.

Google Maps returns to iOS as an app after Apple's removal

After months-long absence due to Apple's embarrassing removal of the feature from its mobile platform, Google's maps returns as a standalone app.

www.cnet.com

 

[HiVolt]

Yeah no thanks. You still can't polish a turd.

 

[techno-Zen]

I respect this multiplatform world but humbly, hard pass!

 

[macintologist]

I'm glad these apps exist without needing to be mandated by a law.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I have trust issues with android. I'm not sure if my data is secure and safe.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

Well, I came close to considering switching this year.

Although macOS and the MacBook Pro are by far the best desktop OS and laptop, the iPhone and iOS are not so obviously superior to the competition to me anymore.

 

[alexe]

Good, switching should be easy in either direction.

 

[SactoGuy18]

The consistency of the iOS user interface is why I have an iPhone, not an Android device.

 

[MakeAppleAwesomeAgain]

The ‘Move to iOS’ app from Apple is terrible. Last week I had to help a family member move from Android to iPhone, and the app kept crashing. Had to migrate everything manually.

 

[GeoStructural]

The ‘Move to iOS’ app from Apple is terrible. Last week I had to help a family member move from Android to iPhone, and the app kept crashing. Had to migrate everything manually.

And it is painfully slow, it took about 2 hrs to transfer my brother’s Galaxy to his new iPhone. The phones were just standing there, no moving or anything.

 

[LV426]

How do I enable iCloud Private Relay on an Android device? And how do I stop my data being slurped from its Google mothership?

 

[jdawgnoonan]

It is pretty easy to move from iOS to Android and then back to iOS without an app. I do it every few years when I get bored with the platform I currently use.

 

[Saturn1217]

Hopefully better that Apple’s switch to iOS app. If I’d known how terrible and non-functional that app was I honestly might have stayed with Android.

 

[citysnaps]

Yeah...let me get on that right away. Stat, even!

 

[Moonlight]

That app could come with a check for $1,000 and I still would not switch.

 

[minik]

I guess it's similar to Microsoft's 'switch to PC' concept. The bigger players want a piece from the macOS/iOS user base. Last year I got myself a SONY Xperia 1 III just to see what's going on with Android. Android 11 was fine until Android 12, it was a major step backward. Knowing Google is bad at software and user interface, it's on par with Android.

 

[Crowbot]

Yeah no thanks. You still can't polish a turd.

Actually, Mythbusters disproved that and actually polished a turd.

 

[HiVolt]

Actually, Mythbusters disproved that and actually polished a turd.

Haha yeah I remember that episode. I miss that show.

 

[alexe]

How is Google allowed to have this on the iOS App Store, yet in my app descriptions I can’t even put “this app is also available on Android phones” without Apple rejecting my submission?

So are you arguing Apple should be even more restrictive with their walled garden than they already are and this shouldn't be allowed on the App Store? ?

I guess we live in a weird world where people fervidly vote against their own interests.