Switching From iPhone to Android Just Got Easier With Android 17

[MacRumors]

Android 17 includes a wireless native migration experience for transferring more types of data from an iPhone, making the process of switching to an Android device easier.

Google says the upgraded method allows Google Accounts, passwords, Wi-Fi credentials, and eSIMs to be transferred. It also supports photos, videos, contacts, messages, and calendars, like the prior version of the switching tool. Data transfers require an iPhone with iOS 26.3 or later.

Both Apple and Google had to implement iPhone and Android transfer tools that work without an app to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act. When you set up a new Android smartphone or iPhone, there are now simple built-in options to transfer data from a competing platform. Before the on-device transfer options, Google and Apple offered apps for moving data.

The Digital Markets Act requires services to offer data portability to prevent lock-in to an operating system. It also forced Apple and Google to implement a simplified eSIM transfer process.

Android 17 with the new data transfer method has been rolling out to select Pixel devices since June and will also come to Samsung's newly announced Galaxy Z Flip8 and Z Fold8 smartphones.

Article Link: Switching From iPhone to Android Just Got Easier With Android 17

 

[SouthernApple]

How about no

 

[Macalway]

Ain't going to be switching any time soon. Although the Z fold 8 looks interesting.

 

[capamac]

It's a consumer-friendly move by EU regulators.

Making it easier to switch will increase competition amongst cell makers, leading to better value to consumers.

It breaks down a barrier that deters some people from switching.

It'll force phone makers to stay on their toes.

 

[svish]

Not sure on how many users switch OS but it is good to have an easier and smoother process. Glad to see that eSIM transfer is simpler now.

 

[Naraxus]

Migrate to a malware-infested os? Not a chance.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

So the DMA mandated that there be an easy way to move from one US based company to another US based company? Thanks EU? Solidifying both of their market presence? Increasing competition from 2 to… 2?

 

[Dr McKay]

Not sure on how many users switch OS but it is good to have an easier and smoother process. Glad to see that eSIM transfer is simpler now.

I tend to switch back and forth from time to time. Was with iPhone from the 3G to the 5, switched to android with the launch of the Nexus 4 and Android Jelly Bean, switched back to iPhone when the green 11 Pro launched. Considering another switch back at some point.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

It's a consumer-friendly move by EU regulators.

Making it easier to switch will increase competition amongst cell makers, leading to better value to consumers.

It breaks down a barrier that deters some people from switching.

It'll force phone makers to stay on their toes.

You say it will increase competition among cell makers, I say that, in 5 years, the big players will still only be Android and iOS. We’ll see if competition increases!

 

[sw1tcher]

You say it will increase competition among cell makers, I say that, in 5 years, the big players will still only be Android and iOS. We’ll see if competition increases!

Cell makers = Apple, Google, Samsung, Motorola, etc.

Cell makers =/= OS makers

 

[mbdownunder]

I'm sure the dozen or so people who need this feature will be thrilled! 😄

 

[turbineseaplane]

The Digital Markets Act requires services to offer data portability to prevent lock-in to an operating system. It also forced Apple and Google to implement a simplified eSIM transfer process.

Whether one wants to use iOS or Android or is considering switching either way, these are great requirements to have.

Consumers win here.

 

[JTK Awesome]

I never thought I'd say this in 1E06 years but I'm increasingly considering a switch. Apple just feels like a mess more and more, especially the latest release iterations of their OS'. What is effectively lock-in with accessories like wireless headphones is too much.

Now that we have a Google store nearby I will have to find out more.

 

[klowy79]

So the DMA mandated that there be an easy way to move from one US based company to another US based company? Thanks EU? Solidifying both of their market presence? Increasing competition from 2 to… 2?

It's about what Europe allows. It has nothing to do with where the manufacturer is. It's about making it easier to switch.

 

[sailboatking]

Thank you EU!

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

Good news for me. Someday I just might be taking advantage of this.

 

[Moriakum]

I never thought I'd say this in 1E06 years but I'm increasingly considering a switch. Apple just feels like a mess more and more, especially the latest release iterations of their OS'. What is effectively lock-in with accessories like wireless headphones is too much.

Now that we have a Google store nearby I will have to find out more.

I'm thinking the same thing. As a European, I'm sick of seeing that Apple only cares about the North American market and couldn't care less about the rest of the world. Here, I still don't have iPhone mirroring, I won't have Siri AI, etc.

 

[ISKOTB]

I tend to switch back and forth from time to time. Was with iPhone from the 3G to the 5, switched to android with the launch of the Nexus 4 and Android Jelly Bean, switched back to iPhone when the green 11 Pro launched. Considering another switch back at some point.

+1 here. I’ve switched back and forth about five times. It really depends on how you plan to use your phone and how comfortable you are with technology. I’ve been using MacBook Pros for about 10 years, so I’m sticking with Apple because of its ecosystem and how seamlessly everything integrates.

That said, either platform is a solid choice—it really comes down to personal preference and your specific needs.

 

[Black_Mage]

AKA giving up your privacy just because easier.

 

[tylerhbrown]

But will it help with the shame from friends and disgrace you've brought on your family's name?

 

[everlast3434]

Boy, I had a lot of problems switching my iPhone OS to Android and gave up! /s

 

[Unregistered 4U]

It's about what Europe allows. It has nothing to do with where the manufacturer is. It's about making it easier to switch.

The DMA is 100% about where the manufacturer is. It’s why the DMA explicitly EXCLUDES Spotify as that was the only service where an EU company had a controlling marketshare. The DMA was about competition and there doesn’t appear to be any more competition and it doesn’t look like any competition is forthcoming. They could have done nothing and still had the same two market leaders. 🙂

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I'm thinking the same thing. As a European, I'm sick of seeing that Apple only cares about the North American market and couldn't care less about the rest of the world. Here, I still don't have iPhone mirroring, I won't have Siri AI, etc.

The EU regulators have informed Apple that it’s in their financial interest to not care about the EU (The rest of the world still gets iPhone mirroring, Siri AI, etc). You can look at what’s going on with Google as indication of that. The DMA says that once a feature is added in the EU, it can’t be removed if the company finds it difficult to adhere to what the DMA defines, so Apple NOT releasing those features is complying with EU regulations.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Cell makers = Apple, Google, Samsung, Motorola, etc.

Cell makers =/= OS makers

Have the cell maker competition increased? Apple, Google, Samsung, Motorola, etc. existed before DMA and still exists today. And, three of those run the same OS before DMA and run the same OS today (and it’s always been easy to switch between them) and the fourth still runs the OS it was running before the DMA as well. If the EU’s intent is to increase Apple’s marketshare, I guess that’s their prerogative. But, the DMA should have been sold as “solidifying the market position of the current gatekeepers” if that’s the case. 🙂

 

[Ethrem]

I never thought I'd say this in 1E06 years but I'm increasingly considering a switch. Apple just feels like a mess more and more, especially the latest release iterations of their OS'. What is effectively lock-in with accessories like wireless headphones is too much.

Now that we have a Google store nearby I will have to find out more.

Just keep in mind that the Pixel's SoC can't even keep up with the performance of an iPhone 13 in CPU and gets absolutely demolished in gaming.

Tensor G5 vs A15 Bionic: tests and benchmarks

We put Google Tensor G5 against Apple A15 Bionic to find out which SoC is better. See performance comparison in benchmarks and games.

nanoreview.net

I have a Pixel 10 Pro XL running GrapheneOS sitting on my desk waiting for all this age verification nonsense to hit the US and force me to switch because I won't be giving every company my personal info and man, it's so slow. Just updating reddit from the Play Store can take two minutes vs mere seconds on my 17 Pro Max. Google's optimization helps with the day to day performance but anything that actually presses the device, you can feel it struggle hard. The battery sucks too.

The Tensor G6 isn't shaping up to being much better either.