“Apple is under pressure from mobile operators to make it easier for customers to switch between the iPhone and smartphones that use Google’s Android software, amid mounting fears over its dominance,” Christopher Williams writes for The Telegraph. “According to a senior industry source, Apple has privately agreed to develop a simple tool to help consumers shift data such as contacts, music and photos if they move to Android.”
“Major European telecoms operators are concerned that only a tiny fraction of customers ever move off the iPhone, in part because of the technical hassle of transferring data,” Williams writes. “The operators fear that the lack of switching weakens their hand in commercial negotiations with Apple, which holds the mobile industry’s strongest card in the iPhone. Its popularity among more affluent consumers means operators are dependent on supplies for most of their profits.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Only a tiny fraction of customers ever move off the iPhone, because the iPhone wannabes suck. You don’t trade in the Mona Lisa for a paint-by-numbers fake. The carriers are deluding themselves: No one of any consequence would use such a tool.
For those Android settlers who’ve stumbled here via search engines or other means, Apple’s “Move to iOS” app is available via Google Play here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.movetoios
With just a few steps, you can migrate your content automatically and securely from your Android phone with the “Move to iOS” app. Or visit an Apple Store and Apple will help you move to your new iPhone and get you all set up. Either way, it couldn’t be simpler. More info here.
UPDATE: 5:25pm EDT: Apple denies Williams’ report: No, Apple is not working on tool for downgrading from iPhone to Android
SEE ALSO:
Apple’s new Android app helps people upgrade to a real iPhone – September 17, 2015
Android settlers lash out at Apple over ‘Move to iOS’ app in Google Play store – September 17, 2015
Apple’s ‘Move to iOS’ app released for Android on Google Play – September 16, 2015
Apple iPhone sees highest switching rate from Android ever recorded – August 10, 2015
Nomura ups Apple to ‘Buy’ on strong iPhone growth, increasing Android switchers – July 31, 2015
Significant Android to iPhone switching weakens market for Samsung Galaxy S6 – March 24, 2015
Analyst: Android switchers fueling iPhone growth; Android users even more interested in Apple Watch than iOS users – March 23, 2015
Over 85% of new iPhone sales are switchers, mostly from Android – January 30, 2015
Apple posts new how-to guide: Switching from Android phone to iPhone – September 16, 2014
Apple should simply tell the carries, “NOT OUR JOB”.
You’re right, but they probably want to avoid the EU forcing them to do it.
I suspect you are spot on there, no other logic to them helping the opposition but you can certainly see an EU investigation loom if they deem it obstructive to deemed true competition.
Why would the EU do that, and not require Android manufacturers to create an iOS migration tool? It doesn’t make any sense that Apple would be forced to create a tool explicitly to enable customers to leave its platform. All that should be required is that they not put up any roadblocks. So if, for example, Samsung wants to create a “Move to Android” tool, Apple can’t actively prevent Samsung from accessing the relevant data. (I could even see them being required to explain how to access.) But forcing Apple to spend resources on developing software specifically designed to lose them customers? That’s utterly ridiculous.
Perhaps if Apple provided something like Google Takeout the EU would lighten up..
Exactly! Apple wrote the “Move to iOS” app to facilitate switchers moving from Android to iOS. That is in Apple’s business interest.
If carriers want to facilitate switching from iOS to Android, then they can either talk to Google or Samsung, or write their own app. It should not be Apple’s responsibility.
It is possible, however, that the EU governments will step in and impose the responsibility on Apple in order to provide “consumer choice.” Does this happen anywhere else in your life or with any other products? Me neither…
I searched, I found… That you speak for me.
Pester Google for a transition app!
Apple marches to its own drummer, to the delight and mass support of its unrivaled loyal massive user base – Capish…?
“According to a senior industry source, Apple has privately agreed to develop a simple tool to help consumers shift data such as contacts, music and photos if they move to Android.”
And just why would Apple agree to this?
Probably want to avoid any EU interference.
I think this story is complete BS. Google is more than capable of creating a “Move to Android” app and submit it to the app store. It is not difficult to do anyway. You can easily transfer both photo libraries and iTunes libraries to android without much difficulty.
https://www.android.com/switch/
And is that why the DOJ hired that lawyer-wannabe to monitor Apple (and thankfully is now looking for other work) to try and gut the company?
Why should Apple be held responsible for propping up the faux and otherwise illegal competition?
Sony, HTC both offer data transfer tools that move contacts, data and suggest apps based on what is installed.
This includes moving stuff from ios.
I don’t see why Apple needs to do anything.
So apple had to create a tool to migrate from inferior android to iOS, but now they have to create the opposite tool? are they crazy? What’s next? Toyota has to offer credit to toyota owner so they can buy a yugo or saturn?
Let’s not give them any ideas.
if Apple can develop a “Move to iOS” app. from Android, is Google so hopeless that they want Apple to also develop a “Move to Android” app?
Well? They copied everything else!!!
IT’S A TRAP!
Google can just as well make this app themselves and publish it in the App Store.
They want Apple to do it because then they can play it “up” in all sorts of disparaging ways (for Apple) in the media.
Apple, tell them to take a hike! Not Apples job. Exactly!
WTF-surely that responsibility should fall on Google’s and the OEM’s shoulders
I suspect Apple is using Google Takeout APIs to accomplish the data move from Google to Apple.. Apple simply needs to provide the same to offer parity so Google or third parties can create the App to move data the other way.
Bearing in mind that mobile carriers on both sides of the Atlantic have a history of trying to convert potential iPhone customers to Android alternatives, I don’t think that Apple should do anything at all to make it easier for those salespeople to switch customers to poorer phones which just happen to offer a bigger commission for the sales staff.
Best advice of all is not to get involved with the carriers. Buy an iPhone directly from Apple. It will be unlocked and you can choose the carrier that best suits your needs and get a SIM only deal. You can also spread the Apple purchase over 24 months if you wish.
Apple only has a small amount of mobile market share in Europe and yet the EU wants to cripple Apple even further. Google must have a lot of friends all over to get the EU to force Apple to help the enemy. I’m fairly certain Google has around 80% mobile market share, so I don’t see how much more they want. I thought those Wall Street geniuses said there weren’t that many consumers moving from Android to iPhone and that’s why supposedly iPhone sales were dropping so drastically.
It’s almost impossible to conceive that a company has to help rivals keep their market share. Surely this must have set some sort of precedence in business practice especially when a business has minor market share. Totally unfair to Apple. Apple surely has to find a way to break Android’s grip on mobile market share without any outside interference.
There is a very small group of people who would be legitimate users of this app.
When an iPhone user loses his iPhone (lost, broken, stolen, whatever), and can’t afford to replace it until the contract is out (and the phone paid off), it is quite common to temporarily migrate to a cheap Android device, until one can afford the iPhone again. These people aren’t defectors; they are simply temporary hostages, and within a few months, they’ll be free again. With this app, Apple could make their miserable captivity at least a bit less painful.
There aren’t many such people, but they exist, and I have know several (where phones got stolen or were dropped into a pool…).
Nonsense.
I’ve moved my data between platforms on occasion, and it’s not difficult unless the app is proprietary (rarely).
Data is data (and BTW it’s yours).
I understand though that Apple has secretly created software that will steal your dreams.
apple is my dreams
Why should Apple have to create this app? Shouldn’t Google have to do it? Now, I could see telling Apple they have to host the app on the App Store since their app is hosted on the Google store. That seems fair.
So the carriers are admitting that android is a downgrade from iPhones. How are the sales staff going to spin that one!
Shouldn’t be hard at all since neither the article text nor the full article use “downgrade”.. You’ve been bitten by MDN’s spin on the article title.