Google's 'Switch to Android' App Starts to Roll Out to Public

Updated on April 21st, 2022

Google's Switch to Android app is now rolling out on the Apple App Store. According to a TechCrunch report, the app will be available for all users over the next few weeks. Google soft-launched the app last week and it was soft-launched as an unlisted app. The app will initially support only Google Pixel phones as the destination device. However, the Pixel maker will add support for other OEMs at a later date.

The app will let users seamlessly transfer iPhone data to an Android phone. “The Switch to Android app from Google helps you quickly and securely move your most important data types — photos, videos, contacts, and calendar events — to a brand new Android device without fussy cables,” says the app’s description on the App Store. The new app is an attempt to entice Apple users to switch to the Android platform. Apple has had a Move to the iOS app since 2015 for transferring android data to an iPhone.

The launch is on the heels of efforts taken by the search engine giant to ease the process of transferring data to Google platforms and services through backend developments. The company had recently updated the Google Photos app to allow mobile users to copy photos from other cloud storage services like iCloud, Facebook, etc.

How Will the Switch to Android App Work?

"Make sure that you have the latest version of Google Drive on your iPhone, then sign in to Drive with your Google Account," announces android.com. This means that you will have to back up all your data on Google Drive before you make the move.

iPhone users can also de-register from the iMessage service. "Go to Settings and turn off iMessage on your iPhone. Also turn off FaceTime, so that you won’t miss any messages or calls once you’ve switched to Android," according to the android website. The app will allow users to continue getting texts sent by iOS devices as standard text messages. But this is only for Pixel users, non-Pixel users making the switch will have other ways to transfer iMessages to Android.

"Sign in on your Android device with the same Google Account that you used during backup. And just like that, you’re in. Your backed up data will automatically be available in your Google Contacts, Calendar, and Photos apps," the website added. There is no mention of messages in the app functionality list which means that you cannot back up your private messages.

Check the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, 128GB, Pacific Blue - Unlocked (Renewed Premium)

iOS vs Android

Apple has already had its Move to iOs app for Android users since 2015. Google's product is a little late to the market. But then that is true for the search engine giant famous mobile devices as well. While the first iPhone was released in 2007, Google released its Nexus series of phones in 2010. However, this phone was not for the masses but was more aimed at developers and enthusiasts.

Soon, it ditched the Nexus line for the Pixel Project. The first Pixel phone was released in 2016. By then Apple had a wide user base for their iPhones. iPhones became a symbol of class and status across the globe. Now Apple has a major share of mobile phone devices in the global market. According to a research, Apple held a 47% share of the US smartphone market in Q4 2021. Google Pixel phones are not on this list. But, Google does have a monopoly on the mobile device operating system market with Android being the world's most commonly used smartphone platform used by many smartphone manufacturers.

Read also:

The Unfortunate Recision of Google Pixel Fold

Google Smart Speakers to Get Software Changes Following Legal Ruling