Is it possible to be happier outside the Apple ecosystem?

[circatee]

I am with Apple for two reasons:
1. The integration, sync, and workflow processes between my Apple devices
2. No energy or desire to constantly configure Android device(s)

 

[tbayrgs]

I am with Apple for two reasons:
1. The integration, sync, and workflow processes between my Apple devices
2. No energy or desire to constantly configure Android device(s)

1. Understandable but less of an obstacle than it’s been in the past.

Apple has been my ecosystem of choice going back to the first iPhone but I’ve also used Android much most of the past 12 years on secondary devices. What I’ve discovered over time is that there are better 3rd party apps for nearly every app that Apple offers and most are platform agnostic. I use alternative Calendar, Maps, Mail, Music, Podcast, Task management, Notes, Photos, News apps and others that all match or exceed Apple’s offerings.

2. Another outdated stereotype. When I set up my new Pixel, it follows a process that basically mirrors Apple’s and restores from a cloud backup of my previous Pixel.

 

[lowendlinux]

I'm indifferent to the whole thing.. KDE connect connects my computer and phone which is all I really need, there is little appeal to using a computer I don't own to sync. Then there is the sign in, graphene doesn't require me to sign into a service, MacOS allows me to run my computer that way but iOS doesn't

 

[edubfromktown]

Apple pipe dream eco$ystem marketing caca wreaks as bad as others.

Finding a balance between cost, efficiency and long term viability is where I roam.

For met it includes:

A pair of (corp liquidated purchased for <$200 each) HP C1030 Elite 16 GB RAM i7 Chromebooks.

Mac Studio Max M1 and Pro M3 14" MBP

5 Raspberry Pi (4's and a 5).

 

[throAU]

I can not stand how samsung phones (majority of android) have duplicate samsung apps and google apps that can't be removed.

 

[onthebuses]

What's cool about Apple is that they don't bind you to their ecosystem. I use Google, Yahoo and Dropbox on my iPhone, and one or two things that are part of the Apple ecosystem - together.

I think you will find that is why the EU drafted law to ensure equal competition or some such. Prior to it Apple had an unfair advantage, in the eyes of the EU. Being forced to use the App Store and being unable to change default apps etc, does bind you to Apple ecosystem. I don’t agree with the EU. But a lot of people do. The EU certainly hasn’t finished either. I do wonder how far they will go, Apple can’t pull out of Europe so their hands are tied. Within the EU the Apple ecosystem is being pulled at to try and break it apart.

 

[rumourmonger]

The trick is using platform agnostic tools for things like contacts, calendar, notes, documents, photos and cloud storage.

This – right here!

If you use Apple's locked garden agnostic services and software you won't even feel like you are locked down and you can move any day you really want to move.

I will go ahead and even say that in fact services which are seemingly a "lock" (w.r.t. interacting with just you) are not really so – like photos, contacts - are usually one app install (and let it sync) away when it comes to migration; i.e. you can just export and import your contacts elsewhere, install Google Photos (or Ente in my case; or something else) and your photos are no longer only in Apple ecosystem, calendar is just your email really - so if your email is not in Apple's ecosystem - moving calendar is trivial… et cetera.

It will be tricky if you use icloud.com email or iMessage because then these services not only interact with you but with others as well in your context. I have my mail on my domain so I have never used @icloud.com anywhere worthwhile – in fact it's main usage are: using Sign in with Apple at forums et cetera and using it as the forwarding email for my SimpleLogin aliases (because I have stopped using HME which comes with iCloud+).

Pleasantly enough, my geography doesn't care one hoot about iMessage and FaceTime.

This is my approx. switch plan (that has already happened/happening; created with https://privacypack.org/)

The only reason I have not moved back to Android yet is the fact that Google tracks everything on it and it uses it for ads and it doesn't even hide the fact. Somehow it makes me disgusted. Yes, there's Graphene (and that's what I use on my spare phone) but it leads to lots of compromises - broken apps etc and for me it's not worth it. The day Google lets go of this tracking completely and in fact creates and exposes `Android Account API` sort of things except `Google Account API` in an Android OS (no they wont't do it) will be the day many iPhone users will starting moving back to Android.

But if I want to move away from iOS - I won't miss a thing otherwise the "perception" of safety and privacy on a 100% closed source OS. Almost all my services and software are already not in locked down into Apple's world. It will be matter of hours for me - as much time it takes in this process

 

[TechRunner]

I can not stand how samsung phones (majority of android) have duplicate samsung apps and google apps that can't be removed.

That was always my biggest gripe with the Samsungs I owned. Needless bloat.

 

[circatee]

1. Understandable but less of an obstacle than it’s been in the past.

Apple has been my ecosystem of choice going back to the first iPhone but I’ve also used Android much most of the past 12 years on secondary devices. What I’ve discovered over time is that there are better 3rd party apps for nearly every app that Apple offers and most are platform agnostic. I use alternative Calendar, Maps, Mail, Music, Podcast, Task management, Notes, Photos, News apps and others that all match or exceed Apple’s offerings.

2. Another outdated stereotype. When I set up my new Pixel, it follows a process that basically mirrors Apple’s and restores from a cloud backup of my previous Pixel.

Hmm, to be clear, number 2 for me, is personal. And to be clear, if I need to setup an Android device now, it would have to be from scratch, and not from a restore.

I might get an Android from work, and set it up from scratch to see what the process is like now, all these years later.
I am certainly open to options and choices...

 

[NUFC2025]

I come to the conclusion that being locked in to any system is not for me so I made the decision about all my photos that are precious to me get printed and put into old style photo albums.

I do have them backed up online and on small portable hard drives that are kept in a safe place and stored in various locations off-site because when the day comes I want my family to be able to access all of these.

Maybe it's an age thing.

I don't really care about apps as I don't really use many apart from banking and online shopping.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Would you be happier if you bought your Apple stuff used? Because that’s what I’ve been doing and it’s a much better experience than buying new, for me.

Yes, one can be refurbished and extend the warranty. I usually buy with a student or other discounts. The savings aren't that great, however. What I do is to turn the discount ($) into Apple Care.

 

[tomas19]

It depends on your experience. I think the iOS system is very good and no one can surpass it at present. However, the battery capacity, charging efficiency, refresh rate, and some other aspects of the iPhone are not so satisfactory. You need to consider a lot.

 

[Ctrlos]

That was always my biggest gripe with the Samsungs I owned. Needless bloat.

In defence of Samsung, it does let you plug Microsoft into the backend and completely ignore Google if you so wish.

 

[deep1]

I switched from iPhone 16PM to S24u last year then to fold6/S25U and Fold 7.

Android is super powerful and gives so much freedom to choose various hardware etc. but this month I switched back to iPhone 16PM:
- It was pain to keep putting app on deep sleep, if you left app open by mistake then suddenly your battery is dead. ( ie soundcore app)
- 2 app stores, 2 messages app. You can’t restore google messages if you don’t do at phone setup.
- notifications were hit and miss. Thanks to doze
- Samsung watch ultra broke the notification after oneui 8 update - forums are full of it including new watch ultra have issues.
- Autofill is a hit and miss, tried various password managers
- S25 U is yet to receive the One UI 8 stable update.
- Final straw was my workplace enforced the passkey which is a breeze to setup on iOS but not supported on Android.

Even though iOS doesn’t have many features compared to Android but it is a pleasure to use and ecosystem is second to none. Faceid/ apple wallet/ airdrop is just plain simple and works every time.

I enjoyed my long journey with Android but back happy with my iPhone.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[gabo864]

These days, it seems most people still stay within the Apple ecosystem because of the tight integration between their devices, but outside that factor, what other advantages are there to keep buying Apple products?

I was thinking... maybe one can be happier outside the Apple ecosystem? There are many reasons for it:

- More hardware to choose from, whether that's phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, etc.

More often, other brands offer way better hardware (screens, storage, ram, batteries, cameras, wired and wireless charging speeds...) for less money, and you can often find unbelievable deals on these products, like with Samsung.

I mean, less than 2 months after the Z Fold 7 release, I've seen the device 400€ cheaper (1.550€ outright). If you fandom a slim device, the S25 Edge can now be bought for 850€.

These are amazing prices for top notch hardware. Meanwhile, Apple is still selling the latest base iPhone 16 with 128GB and 60Hz screen for 800€...

Same can be said with tablets and smartwatches. The most expensive smartwatches can be found way cheaper 6 months after release.

Then, you have other Android benefits, like better AI features, Gemini, more customization, more consistent navigation throughout the OS, better multitasking, being able to download torrents, etc. Now Google and Samsung guarantee 7 years of OS updates, so not an Apple benefit anymore.

You can pair a Google or Huawei watch with a Samsung or Oppo, you can use an Ultra tablet with a Xiaomi phone, etc. Maybe the integration isn't as tight as with Apple or between same brand devices, but it's not terrible either. Now we have Android Quick Share for easy file transfers, but there's also third party options, like Blip, which works as good.

Having better hardware (Apple still doesn't have foldables, for example), more options, sometimes better software (now more obvious than ever with AI), and all that for much less money than with Apple.

So, if one doesn't need the super tight integration of Apple devices, can they be happier outside of their ecosystem?

For me, the most important factor in this debate is price. Being able to buy an S25 Ultra or Edge when there's discounts for the same price as the base iPhone 16 is just crazy.

I have been an Apple user since 2008! I have owns lots of MacBooks, iPads, iPhones, etc. About a year ago I got more into gaming and my nephews convinced me of building a gaming pc. It was a big challenge for me because I hadn’t owned anything but apple for so long, but I did it and after a couple of weeks Windows wasn’t as bad as I remembered lol I ended up selling my MacBook Pro and getting a gaming laptop as well and I couldn’t be happier! Especially now that I’m getting more into gaming.

It hasn’t been too hard getting out of apple’s ecosystem. I can even use iCloud passwords on chrome. I’ve been so happy that I’m actually considering switching to a google phone and try one out as well. You definitely have more options once you get out of apple’s ecosystem.

 

[Corefile]

I replaced the iPhone with a "good enough" freebie Motorola phone that I can just throwaway when the time is right. After using Android for an extended period I found iOS to be restrictive, slow, tappy tap tap, etc. I never realized how terrible it was. I use Vivaldi on the Android and it just wipes the floor of iOS.

 

[aespana]

After a couple of months with the 13 Mini (love the size and look but hate iOS 18), I returned to my old but really good Pixel 5.

Man it just feel like a normal phone and also a actual phone. I know this one is from 2020 with Android 14 (and no more updates) but it feels snappy, very good battery life (the Mini....), good camera and you can feel and enjoy those 90hz (60hz in the Mini looked good, 60hz in the Pixel are just gargabe).

With this, I also have a MacBook Air M1 and the only thing that I liked related to the "ecosystem thing" (the sync between devices, etc) was the photos sync and maybe the Safari sync. After that, I used the Mac without any more reasons to really need an iPhone. Just a normal Mac.

After moving to the Pixel, just downgraded the Mac to Monterey, install Chrome and let's go.

I like Apple products but man, I don't think you really need that "ecosystem". And also, Im really disappointed with iOS lately and I don't see how iOS 26 can change that.

I will just sell the Mini to my brother (with a 12 Mini) and buy me a Series X and that's all. Maybe in the future I will buy an iPhone again but I don't want to spend $600+ in a phone without even a 90hz+ screen.. I just can't do that in the times we are living now

 

[Cuesca]

Losing integration between Apple devices sucks but I knew that coming in and it wasn't as bad as I thought after the initial setup(wallet/passes/IDs). While at the same time gaining Windows integration is good but there are still things Apple does better.

Things I don't miss:

Airdrop - Windows Quick Share is kinda better since you don't really need the computer to be on, you just need to approve of the files when you eventually log in which is better than having to log into your Mac to transfe the files. It does bring the computer out of sleep, and since I own a gaming computer the fan turns on full blast which can get a little annoying. That being said I haven't used both(airdrop primarily, no idea when Quick Share even came out) in years, I have a NAS so I normally just transfer everything there.

LiquidGlass - just hated everything about it(icons, weird glass effect, ugly clock, etc. etc.), so much so that I switched to Android. I might go back when they fired whoever designed it.

Weird file system - I had all of my PDFs in the Adobe Reader App, now with the ios26 beta Apple decided they wanted to move all of my files to the Preview app? Why can't we have a normal file system like on MacOS?

Things I miss:

Web Applepay - Kinda misses it, sure Samsung Pay works just as well and it can work on both Android/Windows devices. Unfortunately, nobody accepts Samsung Pay and I don't really trust Google pay. I normally use Paypal anyways since their merchant dispute works great, especially if you buy from Aliexpress and its just more convenient. That being said Paypal just doesn't feel as secured, all someone would need to do is sit on my desk if I stepped away to the bathroom or something and order 100 pizzas using my card via Paypal.

Pixelmator - heard the devs wanted to make a Windows version but somehow that has been cancelled. Luckily still have my Mac Mini and iPad.

FaceID - thought I was going to miss it more since I hated the touchID on my iPad Air. On the phone it's not so bad since your thumb is already resting on the button that turns it on instead of having to turn on the iPad via tapping on the keyboard then reaching over to the TouchID button.

Applepay/Tap to pay - Samsung in their infinite wisdom disabled the double tap on the power button to bring up NFC payments, now you would need to swipe up from the bottom, the same gesture is also used to return to the home screen as well as bring up the app drawer. You can make a Routine that fixes this but the routine isn't 100% the same and it's still super annoying that Samsung changed it. Samsung has been getting a lot of complaints about this so they might change it back. No idea why they even changed it in the first place? Was it because it worked too similar to Apple's implementation?

 

[thehereticgirl]

nope.

I am miserable anytime I need to use android

 

[skriefal]

- notifications were hit and miss. Thanks to doze

The Doze Stopper app will help with this. It shouldn't be needed, of course, but I appreciate that it's available.

Hopefully Google will eventually figure out how to support timely notifications while retaining reasonable battery life.

 

[yabeweb]

Depends, what's the killer feature you'd lose?
I didn't lose much, I can still airdrop use apple music use my air pods...I lost screen sharing and clipboard sharing ( but really never used them in the first place )

So to me it was easy.

 

[boswald]

I have Apple and Android devices, and I find perks to both. Best tool for the job, honestly.