It’s time for Apple to reach out to Android switchers

Jonny Evans

Watching Apple since 1999. I don't say what they should do. I say what they might do. They sometimes do.

5 Responses

  1. Christopher Newell says:

    You’re writing about me! I switched from the Samsung Galaxy Note series (most recently the Note 10+) to the iPhone 12 Pro. I finally decided to switch due to privacy issues, and I was fed up with increasing ads appearing inside core apps. My dilemma was whether to buy the Pixel 5 or the iPhone 12. Both would resolve the issues, although my perception was that Apple would be better at privacy… and Google would allow me to keep the Android functionality I’m used to, and also continue to use my extensive library of apps purchased over my long Android history. In the end, I chose the iPhone 12 Pro. (You’re wrong above: it IS a hassle to switch. A big hassle. Don’t get me wrong: what works, works really well, but the sheer volume of Android apps makes a true migration impossible.) Months later, I still feel like I’m missing functionality because Apple keeps such tight reins on what can even be done by the phone. That said, I don’t ever plan to go back. Eventually, I’ll feel the loss less and less, but the peace of mind I’ve gained is worth it.

    • Jonny Evans says:

      Thank you Christopher.
      If you wanted to, it might be interesting to learn what it was about the process that worked well, and what really didn’t/doesn’t work. Though I can very easily see how you get invested in the platform over time and how some apps don’t come with you on the journey, but was it mainly third party related problems, rather than problems with the core systems? What was your experience?

      Thank you for writing.

      • Christopher Newell says:

        Hi Johnny, it’s been about 2 months now, so I won’t recall all the details, but I do remember the process for the most part. I used Apple’s transition app from the Play Store, and it copied across the data that it could fairly well. As part of that process, it told me it would install my apps. Presumably, any app that is available in both iPhone and Android would have been installed, but that part never actually happened.
        So if you’re happy using just the apps that come with your phone (apart from the inevitable games), then transitioning between Android and iPhone in either direction shouldn’t be too bad. Samsung has a good migration app, although I can’t speak for any other brand.
        But your article specifically talks about Android users, not smartphone users who just happened to have picked up a phone that had Android instead of iOS. So much of your article was talking about me. I had so many questions beforehand, and would have been well served to read your article.

        • Jonny Evans says:

          Thank you Christopher. I suppose the next potentially helpful question might be around which apps you lost? I wonder if that’s actually a useful thing to write about, ie. “iOS replacements for popular Android only apps’ or something like that? As if this impacted you then it will have also impacted someone else. Just a thought.

          Thank you for your generous contribution 😀

          • Christopher Newell says:

            I would love/would have loved a guide for replacements, but it would be difficult to provide, since app choice is so subjective. For example, I’m still using my Note as my ereader in the evenings. I abandoned FBReader years ago because I wanted more features (and found them in Moon+ Reader Pro). In migrating to iOS, FBReader is the most fully featured reader I can find, and now I have to figure out how to manage the library without access to the file system that I’m used to. The guy beside me could claim he can’t see why anyone would ever need anything more than Apple Books…
            Your article seemed to be speaking directly about me (I switched because I felt my privacy rights were being disrespected, and I was choosing between a Pixel and an iPhone), so clearly you have insight into a potential market. If I can help you create resources that help make that choice easier for others, feel free to reach out to me directly.

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