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A Google-branded 'Switch to Android' app might be in the works for iOS users
- According to an APK teardown, Google might be working on an iOS app called “Switch to Android.”
- Little is known about this rumored app, but its name certainly gives a good indication of what it would do.
- Currently, there is no dead-simple way for iPhone users to transition to Android, so this app would be a good idea.
Being that there are only two major mobile operating systems out there, consumers must choose between one of two options: Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android. Both companies make it fairly tricky to jump from one system to another for obvious reasons.
However, that lock-in is a double-edged sword. While it might keep current users on one side, it simultaneously prevents users from changing teams. Apple has a solution for this in the Move to iOS app on the Google Play Store. Now, it looks like Google might be making its own “Switch to Android” app for iOS (via 9to5Mac).
Currently, the way one moves from iOS to Android is through Google Drive. You basically back up as much of your iPhone data as you can there, and then download that data to your new Android device. Not only is this clunky but it doesn’t allow you to transfer a lot of important data, such as apps.
See also: Things iOS does better than Android
This hypothetical Switch to Android app would likely make things much easier. The information on this app comes from an APK teardown of the official Data Restore Tool, which only recently landed on the Play Store. Within that app, there are multiple references to this supposed switching tool and the steps one conducts to make it work.
Theoretically, iPhone users would be able to enter credentials from their Apple-related accounts in the Switch to Android app. This would enable them to move much more data to their new Android phone.
Considering the Move to iOS app has been on the Play Store for over five years, it’s weird that it took this long for Google to respond. Better late than never, right?