Apple said it plans to make it easier for customers to switch to Android as a result of the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect today. In addition to support for alternative app stores, new trading terms for EU app developers, a mobile browser selection screen, and more, the iPhone maker also announced it will be adding data portability products, including more “user-friendly” data movement features. from the iPhone to another of his non-Apple devices.
The solution is not yet available, but Apple is working to have it ready by fall 2025, the company said. The announcement comes in a document detailing Apple's compliance plans with a new EU law aimed at increasing competition in the app ecosystem by requiring Apple to loosen its grip on the App Store and iOS. I was disappointed. Despite developer pushback, Apple has cleverly circumvented the potential financial impact of DMA on its business by adding new fees to developers who wish to switch to DMA rules. Ta.
Beyond the App Store, DMA is also working on data portability. In this regard, Apple's data and privacy website has been updated to allow users to export their App Store data to authorized third parties, the document states. Users today can transfer iCloud photos to Google Photos and download a wide range of data collected by Apple apps, including Notes, Calendar, Contacts, Maps, Wallet activity, Mail, and Safari bookmarks and reading lists. You can request that According to Apple, users can also schedule daily downloads of App Store data for 30 days, or weekly downloads for 180 days, and the data provided will be continuously updated to ensure it is current.
On the subject of migrating to Android, Apple only said that its solution will help other “mobile operating system providers” build better solutions for transferring data from iPhone to non-Apple phones. And didn't share much about the new project. Although Apple doesn't actually use the term “Android” in its documentation, it's clear that Google's mobile OS would benefit the most from such a system.
In addition, another solution to export browser data to a new browser on the same device will be ready later this year or in early 2025, Apple said.
Now, would-be Android users can use Google's Switch to Android iOS app to migrate important content like contacts, calendars, photos, videos, messages, and more to a new Android device. However, some not-so-important data is still missing, so the user must also disable iMessage to ensure new messages reach her Android. It's unclear whether Apple's new solution will address these areas, as Apple hasn't yet revealed what specifically it aims to improve.