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

[Norwegian_Imposter]

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

No I don't think I will

 

[HalfFullmoon]

Google is taking over. My TV is android-powered. 86% of global mobile phones are android-powered. Then you got android tablets. Google even has their own cellphone plan (Google Fi), which is somewhat enticing. Only $20 per line for unlimited data if you get four lines.

Also, to those concerned about privacy or data, know that Google right now can write a biography on you better than you can, even if you use an iPhone. But then again, so can Apple.

 

[asdfjkl;]

Why not get a mid-range Samsung or OnePlus? Or get the Pixel 6a when it arrives within 1-3 months.

I came to smartphones late (I'm cheap) so bought a mid-range Android phone: Moto-g. It was really nice ... for a couple of months. Then a rather serious vulnerability was uncovered and I started anxiously waiting for an update. So the way Android works you likely have to wait for the company that made your phone to release the fix (even though Google got one out fairly quickly). Motorola never released an update. On top of that, the phone just got slower and slower and slower. Eventually I couldn't use it for work any more because Android was sooooo out of date. I bought a used iPhone for about $25 more than my mid-range Android phone. I get regular updates and it feels pretty much just as snappy as the day I bought it. Never, going back.

 

[SigEp265]

At this point at there basic core the interfaces aren't that different.

iMessage is the only thing I can think of off the top of my head. I have a few android devices that don't seem to run as stable as iOS though....

 

[SigEp265]

Google Photos FTW though!!!

 

[hydropsyche]

Actually I am switching to an Android privacy phone next month. The privacy phone doesn't allow Google apps and I can get away from the Apple bluetooth spy network and client-side file spying.

 

[golfnut1982]

Google apps fine, but Android no.

 

[B_mark_R]

Actually I am switching to an Android privacy phone next month. The privacy phone doesn't allow Google apps and I can get away from the Apple bluetooth spy network and client-side file spying.

Tell me more, I'm curious!

 

[Techwatcher]

I prefer “it just works” over an open operating system that isn’t always stable and has overheating issues. I’ll stick with iOS.

And yes I started on Android. Installing apps like emulators took 2 seconds. Decided to switch to an iPhone 4S and it felt like I advanced 20 years into the future. Never looked back.

 

[mike2q]

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

That's easy. 1. Opt out of tracking (Android 12 allows for the deletion of your advertising id). Google respects this but requires you to opt out unlike Apples opt in system. 2. Use a quality paid VPN so all data is encrypted. 3. Use Firefox as yourbrowser. As a non-profit dedicated to privacy Firefox (all versions besides ios) has DNS over HTTPS which makes the website you are entering impossible for Google or your cell carrier to see.

Google is very transparent about the data they collect and while they use that data to serve ads they never sell it to outside data brokers. Honestly, I'd be more worried about the "free" apps you download harvesting your data to sell to who knows than I would be about Google.

 

[ACHD]

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.

Simple You are not big enough to launch a anti competitive lawsuit.
Nor are you protected under GDPR guidelines as this app is.

Under some GDPR stuff you own the data and a company can not stop you from transferring data out to use another service. Apple likely went over this app with a fine tooth comb and could not find any reason to deny it and was forced under GDPR protections to allow the app to be listed.

The fines for violating GDPR can be per person and can be a percentage of entire GLOBAL REVENUE. not profit but ENTIRE revenue and thats a big enough dollar amount to make companies listen. its like 1-5% of global revenue or some ****.

So that is why this app is allowed.

 

[ACHD]

I prefer “it just works” over an open operating system that isn’t always stable and has overheating issues. I’ll stick with iOS.

And yes I started on Android. Installing apps like emulators took 2 seconds. Decided to switch to an iPhone 4S and it felt like I advanced 20 years into the future. Never looked back.

The amount of people I speak to everyday begs to differ on the " it just works" of iOS. Just saying.

 

[jz0309]

Why would anyone do this?

So they can side load?
/s

 

[mikethemartian]

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.

Maybe part of some reciprocal agreement they have with Google.

 

[The Barron]

Very hard pass, Google. Gimme a break!?

 

[mikethemartian]

Let's have some examples and carefully note what you would be giving it up to get these superior features. You can't drop a grenade like this without solid examples.

Well this site shows Android market share increasing per year at the expense of iOS so it at least seems reasonable:

Smartphone OS market share forecast 2014-2023| Statista

Smartphones running the Android operating system hold an 87 percent share of the global market in 2019 and this is expected to increase over the forthcoming years.

www.statista.com

 

[JippaLippa]

LOL, nice try google.

 

[jtmarine73]

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.

Yet you intentionally only posted half of his post and left out where he said he wasn't arguing the app shouldn't be allowed, but that she should be allowed to say there is an android app.

 

[ian87w]

This is funny. Google cannot even make a reliable Android to Android data transfer.

 

[popdan]

waited pixel 6 to switch from iphone 6s, the number of bugs was beyond joke. settled with iPhone 13

 

[Beautyspin]

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!

Lol! About 75% of the total mobile phone users worldwide would laugh at this statement.

 

[E.Lizardo]

What's disjointed about Android systems? Everything is open platform and has a web based component as well. Only thing I can think of is not getting android OS updates for as long or as early on non google pixel phones but pretty simply solution to that issue. Get a pixel phone.

I find Apples ecosystem more disjointed since I've have two deal with the two emails that I can't merge or change in the ecosystem and many key features (iMessage) aren't web based.

So to get OS updates in a manner similar to Apple you get to choose from the company with 2.23% of the market. That doesn't speak well for the attitude of the companies with the other 97.77%.

 

[bumblebritches5]

Maybe when android is replaced with Fuchsia, until then it's a complete ******** of an OS.

 

[Beautyspin]

What's disjointed about Android systems? Everything is open platform and has a web based component as well. Only thing I can think of is not getting android OS updates for as long or as early on non google pixel phones but pretty simply solution to that issue. Get a pixel phone.

I find Apples ecosystem more disjointed since I've have two deal with the two emails that I can't merge or change in the ecosystem and many key features (iMessage) aren't web based.

Also, while iOS does mass updates by updating the entire OS for even small changes in apps, Android updates various components on a regular basis while only updating the OS infrequently. Android has modularized its components so these receive updates through PlayStore rather than through the manufacturer.

 

[Sf844]

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

Indeed, that’s why Apple invests so much money.

In marketing, I mean.