Apple to streamline data transfer from iPhones to Android devices

WEB DESK: The European Union (EU) is striving to enhance competition and prevent monopolies by facilitating platform switches. In line with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple is streamlining the process of transferring data from an iPhone to an Android device.

In its DMA Compliance Report, Apple disclosed plans to modify iOS to enable smoother data portability across various operating systems.

These adjustments are slated for implementation in the autumn of 2025. The Verge initially reported on this development, highlighting Apple’s efforts to align with the DMA, which takes effect this week.

Rather than creating its own tool, Apple intends to offer tools to other operating system developers, empowering them to extract user data and create their own transfer mechanisms.

Currently, Google provides a Switch to Android application that facilitates the transfer of various data, such as contacts, free apps, notes, photos, text messages, and videos.

However, certain data types, including alarms, documents, call logs, eSIMs, files, passwords, wallpapers, and web browser bookmarks, are not supported. It is hoped that the forthcoming iOS modifications will enable the transfer of these data categories.

Apple is expected to introduce standardised methods or APIs that other manufacturers can utilise to enhance data transfer tools. Samsung is anticipated to leverage these enhancements to enhance its Smart Switch application for data transfer.

Among Apple’s initiatives to enhance data portability is a “browser switching solution,” enabling data transfer between web browsers on the same device.

This functionality is projected to become available by late 2024 or early 2025. Additionally, by March 2025, users in the EU will have the option to change the default navigation system on iPhones.