According to Apple, the technology giant has a plan to streamline the process of switching to Android for customers due to the implementation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Effective immediately, the company is introducing support for alternative app stores and implementing new business terms for EU app developers. As part of these efforts, Apple is also expanding its offerings for data portability, specifically in terms of transferring data from an iPhone to a non-Apple device.
This particular solution is currently not available, but Apple has announced its commitment to launch it by fall of 2025. The declaration was made through a document outlining the company’s plan to comply with the new EU law, whose aim is to promote competition in the app ecosystem by requiring Apple to loosen its control over the App Store and iOS. Interestingly, Apple has found a way to minimize the potential financial impact of DMA on its business by implementing new fees for developers who choose to adhere to the DMA regulations, despite facing backlash from developers.
In addition to addressing the App Store, the DMA also covers data portability. With this in mind, Apple plans to update its Data & Privacy website to allow users to export their App Store data to authorized third parties. Currently, Apple users can request to transfer their iCloud Photos to Google Photos or download different types of data collected by Apple’s apps, such as Notes, Calendar, Contacts, Maps, Wallet Activity, Mail, Safari Bookmarks and reading list, among others. The company has also stated that users will have the option to schedule daily downloads of their App Store data for 30 days or weekly downloads for 180 days, with the data continuously updated to ensure it is the most recent.
Moving on to the topic of switching to Android, Apple has not revealed many details about the project, simply stating that their solution will aid other “mobile operating system providers” in creating better ways to transfer data from an iPhone to a non-Apple device. While Apple has not specifically mentioned “Android” in their document, it is clear that Google’s mobile operating system will benefit greatly from this system.
Additionally, Apple noted that they will have another solution in place later this year or early 2025 that will allow users to export browser data from one browser to another on the same device.
Currently, Android users can utilize Google’s “Switch to Android” iOS app to move important data, such as contacts, calendars, photos, videos, messages, and more, to a new Android device. However, certain less crucial data is still missing and users must also disable iMessage in order to receive their new messages on their Android device. It remains unclear if Apple’s new solution will address these areas, as the company has not yet specified what will be improved upon.
