Other Leaving iPhone after 20 years

[rui no onna]

Here in the UK the android/iphone ratio is seemingly more balanced so everyone uses whatsapp.

I believe it's also roughly 50/50 in the US (with one platform gaining the advantage at different times).

RCS support is nice but still not universal at the moment. I have some group chats with Android users that have been upgraded to RCS but there are still some groups that are on SMS.

Most plans included unlimited messaging (SMS & MMS) though so people on both Android and iOS just use the default messaging apps. If people had to pay $0.50/message like in the old days and how in the US we get charged for both incoming and outgoing messages, I reckon folks would be more inclined to use 3rd party messaging apps like WhatsApp.

 

[TechnoMonk]

You're welcome. Remember to put the bins out Tuesday. 👍

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

 

[aperfectcircle]

Keep us updated when your new phone arrives. I’m not a fan of Android in any form, and despise Google - both as a company and the user experience their software/apps deliver. That said, it’s always interesting to see how people find the change.

I’ve only once done the switch, back when I was working for a telco and had to use a Galaxy S4 to test our new 4G network before launch. I absolutely hated it then and my more recent experiences trying Android phones alongside iPhone didn’t change my view.

I don’t share your perspective that iOS is distracting and I rather like iOS 26, both in terms of the design changes with Liquid Glass as well as the functional and feature changes that have been introduced.

I run a full Apple house, so have multiple iPads, Apple TVs and Macs. The integration for me is seamless and I wouldn’t give that up by switching any device to a non-Apple alternative.

You may have to deal with an adjustment period with the change, but if your use is as basic as you state, it should be a pretty easy transition. Any annoyances will be in getting used to how the OS works compared to iOS, but it won’t be climbing Mt. Everest.

Coming from a 13 Mini, the Nothing phone should be noticeably quicker and smoother. Be sure to share what you like and what’s been challenging with the switch. Look forward to seeing how you go.

 

[Tsepz]

*I've put this in iPhone forum as not sure where best to place it. Feel free to move it.

After 20 years of iPhone today I finally stepped out of the garden. I’m not happy with Apples current direction, particularly the quality of software and degradation of usability.

I’ve been using Apple devices exclusively for over 30 years and at times championed them over the competition because they were the best in hardware, software and usability. It’s what made Apple Apple but it is no longer the case for me. I’m tired of having to work harder to achieve the same results. Daft UI decisions that makes usability more difficult just so Apple can save money and put out a unified OS across all devices instead of tailored devices that suit the hardware for a best in class experience, couple that with a massive increase in bugs being put out over the years and it’s time I try out something new.

So I’ve bought a Nothing™ Phone 4a that just got launched today. It runs a stripped back version of Android with its own minimal OS that focuses on minimal distraction (the complete opposite of iOS26 and LiquidGlass). I personally think the phone and the OS look great. A bonus of preordering I've just unexpectedly been given a free set of Nothing Headphones worth £79 so that's pretty cool too. I’m looking forward to receiving everything next week even though I have literally no experience with Android devices.

I don’t take enough photos to be bothered about camera tech, I don’t need massive battery or high screen refresh. I just want a phone that allows me to communicate so I’ve gone for the 4a as its the very latest phone from them and its incredibly priced for the specs, even though that’s not why I went for it. I went for the 4a because Nothings focus aligns with mine - getting stuff done with minimal distraction. So I’m jumping to the dark side after 20 years of iPhone.

Im sure there will be many people rolling their eyes asking why does this warrant a thread but for me personally its a very big shift and while I’m looking forward to getting away from iOS26 I am also a little nervous about Android and it foibles.

Any tips on how to protect myself would be appreciated and even your own experiences of switching or thoughts about switching. Why did you switch and how have you found it? Are you an Android user or better yet a Nothing OS user, what do you or don't you like about it?

Congratulations and I wish you all the best!
I personally moved from Android to iOS fully in 2019, I had owned iPads from 2012 alongside my Androids but in 2019 I felt I needed an iPhone of my own as my Mom and Dad had owned iPhones since the 3G and enjoyed theirs.

Fast forward to today and I am still quite happy, yes iOS 26 has not been perfect, in fact I have said it has needed work but now on iOS 26.3 I have to say I am very happy both on my 15 Pro Max and 17 Pro Max.

Android is a great OS especially if you like customisation a lot, although recently iOS has caught up in a big way.

I hope you do get what you are looking for in the Nothing Phone you got, at the end of the day the phone needs to fit your needs and wants.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

Keep us updated when your new phone arrives. I’m not a fan of Android in any form, and despise Google - both as a company and the user experience their software/apps deliver. That said, it’s always interesting to see how people find the change.

I’ve only once done the switch, back when I was working for a telco and had to use a Galaxy S4 to test our new 4G network before launch. I absolutely hated it then and my more recent experiences trying Android phones alongside iPhone didn’t change my view.

I don’t share your perspective that iOS is distracting and I rather like iOS 26, both in terms of the design changes with Liquid Glass as well as the functional and feature changes that have been introduced.

I run a full Apple house, so have multiple iPads, Apple TVs and Macs. The integration for me is seamless and I wouldn’t give that up by switching any device to a non-Apple alternative.

You may have to deal with an adjustment period with the change, but if your use is as basic as you state, it should be a pretty easy transition. Any annoyances will be in getting used to how the OS works compared to iOS, but it won’t be climbing Mt. Everest.

Coming from a 13 Mini, the Nothing phone should be noticeably quicker and smoother. Be sure to share what you like and what’s been challenging with the switch. Look forward to seeing how you go.

Is it true that Pixel Phones don't last as long as iphones? I keep seeing people claim that around here, but does it have any merit to it?

 

[TumbleDryer]

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Don’t worry I know how they work.

 

[Grayburn]

Barely anyone uses iMessage in the UK. Sure they maybe registered, but actual use? no one I know uses it.

I just don’t get how you can make a broad statement like that. Have you been to every corner of the land and taken surveys, no you’re just judging on what you do and those you know do.

 

[eyoungren]

It seems that Samsung had "Samsung Messages", but it has since been phased out in exchange for Google Messages? I don't know if that is true or not, or if that was a thing during the timeframe I used a Samsung phone. I remember back then it was a pure impulse purchase and I truly knew nothing about Android when I got that phone.

Yeah, at some point Google became the relevant party to push RCS. Becoming that meant that it pushed other manufacturer's versions of Android Messages to the background. And Google used it's power as a large entity to ultimately pressure the carriers into complying and using RCS.

Based on what I read on Wikipedia last night, certain actions by the EU compelled Apple to integrate RCS into the Messages app and that is why it will now do RCS. It wasn't out of the goodness of Apple's heart or Google's pressure.

All this to explain why Samsung Messages is no longer updated and why Google Messages is now dominant in the Android sphere.

 

[ayephoner]

 

[eyoungren]

Is it true that Pixel Phones don't last as long as iphones? I keep seeing people claim that around here, but does it have any merit to it?

I have no idea. I still have my Pixel 3a XL, which by any measure of current Android devices, is considered ancient. It's only six years old though. My 6s+ which I use as a secondary phone is even older and that works fine.

Anyway, my Pixel is currently being used as an Amazon Firestick remote. I also have a 6+ and between that and my Pixel, my Pixel can still run the most current version of Youtube. I've never had any issues with my Pixel slowing down or 'not lasting'.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

Yeah, at some point Google became the relevant party to push RCS. Becoming that meant that it pushed other manufacturer's versions of Android Messages to the background. And Google used it's power as a large entity to ultimately pressure the carriers into complying and using RCS.

Based on what I read on Wikipedia last night, certain actions by the EU compelled Apple to integrate RCS into the Messages app and that is why it will now do RCS. It wasn't out of the goodness of Apple's heart or Google's pressure.

All this to explain why Samsung Messages is no longer updated and why Google Messages is now dominant in the Android sphere.

Interesting. I have done some research, and found that the Samsung A53 I had at the time had Samsung messages, and not Google Messages. That also would explain why I had so many issues with Android. It wasn't so much Android itself, but rather, Samsung.

It appears that Google Messages now has a superior way and integration with RCS, however I am curious how it would work if I had a Google Pixel, with my Mac Mini. Would I be able to still get texts on both my Mac, and my Android Phone? I were to do that of course.

I have no idea. I still have my Pixel 3a XL, which by any measure of current Android devices, is considered ancient. It's only six years old though. My 6s+ which I use as a secondary phone is even older and that works fine.

Anyway, my Pixel is currently being used as an Amazon Firestick remote. I also have a 6+ and between that and my Pixel, my Pixel can still run the most current version of Youtube. I've never had any issues with my Pixel slowing down or 'not lasting'.

I think that if I am to get an Android phone, I might wait until the Pixel 11 comes out. Right now I am using the 16E.

 

[eyoungren]

It appears that Google Messages now has a superior way and integration with RCS, however I am curious how it would work if I had a Google Pixel, with my Mac Mini. Would I be able to still get texts on both my Mac, and my Android Phone? I were to do that of course.

That I cannot answer.

However, I will say that during my time with my own Pixel, I often used PushBullet (https://www.pushbullet.com) to send and reply messages on my Mac. Pushbullet leveraged my Pixel for that. I used Fluid to create an app of Pushbullet and I effectively had 'Messages' on my Mac that used my Android.

For iMessage, I used a Mac Mini I have to set up AirServer. Since the Mini was capable of using iMessage, I could use the app on my Pixel to send iMessages through the Mac Mini.

All workarounds, but it worked. I'd be surprised if there aren't alternatives or better methods by this point.

 

[ForkHandles]

Account vacated.

 

[LeeW]

The only thing Apple and every other company out there is interested in is your money. Use your money on what works for you, that's all there is to it.

 

[Chidoro]

That’s nice.

My flight is leaving from gate 68 shortly as well. Just felt like you’d be interested

 

[eyoungren]

Since September 15 2025 you’ve done nothing but complain about Apple 443 times

Before that you posted 4 times.

How is it over there at Samsung?

I think this might have more impact (for me at least) if you'd mentioned the correct manufacturer that OP went to. The Nothing Company isn't Samsung. I know…all Androids look alike and they're all made by Samsung. But, yeah, well…OP didn't go to Samsung.

 

[MrMojo1]

OK.
Not need to announce your leaving.
Enjoy!
May want to visit and tell us how the Android smartphones are doing, esp. how iPhone users can transition out of iOS... what software to use and the steps to transitioning.
The newer Pixel phones have supposedly improved but is it enough to lure iPhone users away?
That's the real question.

 

[robvalentine]

I just don’t get how you can make a broad statement like that. Have you been to every corner of the land and taken surveys, no you’re just judging on what you do and those you know do.

I said no one I know uses iMessage. Where did I say I know everyone? It’s a fact of life that the iMessage obsession is us centric. And probably macrumors centric 😂

 

[stevej26uk]

I was an android user for a few years mainly because previous use of the iPhone made me feel like I was in a walled garden of sorts. However I switched back to the iPhone and over a period of time got other apple devices, the seamless integration between devices hooked me back in, with apple everything just works where as android just feels kind of sloppy.

 

[robvalentine]

That I cannot answer.

However, I will say that during my time with my own Pixel, I often used PushBullet (https://www.pushbullet.com) to send and reply messages on my Mac. Pushbullet leveraged my Pixel for that. I used Fluid to create an app of Pushbullet and I effectively had 'Messages' on my Mac that used my Android.

For iMessage, I used a Mac Mini I have to set up AirServer. Since the Mini was capable of using iMessage, I could use the app on my Pixel to send iMessages through the Mac Mini.

All workarounds, but it worked. I'd be surprised if there aren't alternatives or better methods by this point.

Google has a web browser version of messages so you could do it that way. I never used it as I use WhatsApp instead

 

[robvalentine]

Is it true that Pixel Phones don't last as long as iphones? I keep seeing people claim that around here, but does it have any merit to it?

You have to bear in mind this is an apple site and not all opinions are neutral and unbiased.

 

[MarkX]

I just don’t get how you can make a broad statement like that. Have you been to every corner of the land and taken surveys, no you’re just judging on what you do and those you know do.

He's not wrong though! Not sure why your so upset at his statement. IMessage is the primary messaging service for ios users in the US only!

Sure there will be the odd few in the UK who use it but not many at all.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Is it true that Pixel Phones don't last as long as iphones? I keep seeing people claim that around here, but does it have any merit to it?

FUD, a contributor for this site some time ago posted a comment in the Android forum, where that person hoped that only Apple products were sold to the public. No choice, no competition but only Apple as the seller of phones, computers and tablets. Of course, the contributor made it clear that he/she was not a shareholder. 🥳

Android phones last as long if not longer than Apple phones by support alone.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

You have to bear in mind this is an apple site and not all opinions are neutral and unbiased.

FUD, a contributor for this site some time ago posted a comment in the Android forum, where that person hoped that only Apple products were sold to the public. No choice, no competition but only Apple as the seller of phones, computers and tablets. Of course, the contributor made it clear that he/she was not a shareholder. 🥳

Android phones last as long if not longer than Apple phones by support alone.

Makes sense, hence I don't put a lot of credibility to those claims.

 

[eyoungren]

I was an android user for a few years mainly because previous use of the iPhone made me feel like I was in a walled garden of sorts. However I switched back to the iPhone and over a period of time got other apple devices, the seamless integration between devices hooked me back in, with apple everything just works where as android just feels kind of sloppy.

Again, I will just mention that third party services using Apple devices also 'just work'. Being in the Apple ecosystem or the Android ecosystem does not have to mean you are bound to the services of either one.