[Update 1/11: This is one rumor Apple is happy to deny. Here’s a statement to Buzzfeed:“There is no truth to this rumor,” Apple spokesperson Trudy Muller said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. “We are entirely focused on switching users from Android to iPhone, and that is going great.”]
Apple launched a Move to iOS app in September, pictured, that enables Android users to quickly transfer documents, photos, contacts and other personal data to a new iPhone. This eases the pain for Android users to switch to iOS, which clearly benefits Apple. Interestingly, the Telegraph is reporting that Apple is now developing a similar tool that goes in the opposite direction, letting iPhone users more easily transfer to Android devices.
Why would Apple want to do something like this? The Telegraph explanation is that it is related to European competition fears. Mobile operators in Europe have complained that few users switch away from iPhone which inhibits negotiations with Apple over contractual terms.
The telecoms operators are concerned that Apple is artificially limiting competition by making it hard to leave the iOS ecosystem. Hence, it seems Apple has agreed to help in this area by making this transitioning tool. The report ‘says Apple has privately agreed’ to make the service, so a public launch is unclear.
Whilst it is unlikely Apple would honor the requests out of the goodness of their hearts, it is possible that the telecoms operators could have presented the issue as an anticompetitive complaint which could have let to legal action in court. This is just speculation, but it explains why Apple would be cooperative. In October, Apple said the rate of Android switchers was at the highest point ever for new iPhone sales.
The European Commission began an investigation in 2013 over Apple’s terms with mobile operators, but the investigation was dropped as insufficient evidence of illicit behaviour was found.
Apple’s Move to iOS app annoyed Android users, garnering thousands of 1 stars in the Google Play Store. Perhaps they would be more receptive to an app that sent users in the other direction …
Yo Tim, what's the customer sat on the Move to iOS app http://t.co/aFeOtup4f1 pic.twitter.com/ebytmXG1nt
— Benjamin Mayo (@bzamayo) September 27, 2015
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If this happens, I think we can finally, definitely say “Steve wouldn’t have done this” and be right.
Those Europeans are really trying to screw Apple. Wall Street is all over Apple’s ass because they don’t sell enough iPhones and now these Europeans are trying to make sure Apple sells even less iPhones. Apple is never going to get more mobile market share at this rate. They’ve got the cards stacked against them.
— “Apple is never going to get more mobile market share at this rate.”
Apple was never gonna have much market share anyway.
The smartphone market includes phones that are $50-100. Apple’s phones start at $450… but actually average $670. Of course there is gonna be a higher percentage of those cheaper phone and a lower percentage of expensive phones like the iPhone.
But Apple never chases market share.
It’s just like the computer market. HP, Dell and Lenovo are happy to sell you a $300 laptop… while Apple’s laptops start at $900.
Those other guys sell more units… which makes their market share higher. Meanwhile… Apple sells fewer units… thus their market share is lower.
Surely you want what is best for you and us as customers. That is the option of choosing a platform with as few hurdles as possible.
I love apple’s products but I’d like to be able to choose what platform is best for me, without feeling I have no choice or my choice is made harder by barriers that don’t need to exist. And yes I think Google should do the same.
Why do people feel the need to stick up for apple. Stick up for yourself and what’s best for you.
I would never do this. If operator wants iOS to Android tool, ask Google for something like that. However I guess they know in order to do it right, Apple has to do it.
i agree
Is it going to work? Because the tool they “made” to move stuff from Android to iOS doesn’t work at all.
The 1-star reviews in the Play store are well-deserved. I’d have rated the app 0 if I could have. Even if it worked (it doesn’t on the phones I tried it on), it’s so poorly conceived and contrived to the point of infuriating anyone that attempts to use it. It’s just absolutely atrocious.
Every Android user I have encountered that used the Move to iPhone app to transfer their data has eventually had so many issues with iOS afterwards that they were forced to Erase and Restore the iPhone and then restore their data from Backup. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. Apple was of zero help; that was their “advice”. One user who was suffering from the iPhone “crashing” to unwakeable black-screen unresponsiveness overnight (likely when the iCloud Backup was either running or supposed to run, since no backup ever completed), went so far as to return the iPhone 6s Plus, pay a restocking fee, and buy another Samsung S6 (which is what she had come from). Apple, again, was zero help. They suggested not migrating any of her data as a “solution”.
Prior to having dealt with these cases, I assumed the 1-star ratings were Android fanboys writing bogus reviews just to be “tribal”. I still strongly suspect that accounts for many of the reviews. But now I understand that the 1-star and 2-star reviews from actual USERS –are– well-deserved.
I’ve setup literally countless numbers of phones using it that have been fine. Not to say it’s perfect – just that your observations aren’t the be all and end all. Same with mine. Most of the 1-star reviews come from non actual users of the app. Look at the reviews of Copymydata if you want to see a true review for that app.
Wait…why is this up to Apple? Apple made one to move from Android. Why can’t the operators ask Google make one if they want it so badly? This is actually idiotic. “You’re too successful, help us make you less successful.” No?
Did Google make a move to ios took? Nope. Apple had to do it themselves – so why should apple be forced to do Google job for them? Utterly ridiculous
Smsybe because Apple would remove it. Educate yourself and read the AppStore rules.
It’s strange how they exist then…
No, they have the Samsung App that does similar things.
Hopefully both switching users will enjoy using the app.
Hopefully both switching users will enjoy the app.
Yes, Apple should make that App.
“Only compatible with Android 6.0 Marshmallow”
That’s like selling guns and armaments to your enemies. I honestly thought the whole idea of running a solid business is not to help rival businesses. Was Microsoft ever forced to write a Windows to OSX application for Windows users wanting to use Macs? I doubt that very much. Android has all that huge freaking mobile market share and yet European mobile operators sees Apple’s iOS as some threat to them. I don’t get it at all. European consumers aren’t switching away from iPhones likely because they enjoy using iPhones.
Why are Apple responsible for helping other operating systems?
They were totally within their remit to make the ‘move to iOS’ app on android. It’s google and mictosoft’s job to make the equivalent apps. The only thing Apple shouldn’t do, is block those apps. That should be mandated by a judge if they tried those tactics.
But it’s certainly not Apple’s job to make apps to help people move to other OS options.