If it seems weird that Google launched an app designed to migrate people away from iOS, don’t be too surprised. If you were around in Fall 2015, you’ll know that Apple did the same thing. It released an app (its FIRST Android app, mind you) to the Play Store called “Move To iOS”, and it was designed to do the same thing but in reverse. As you can imagine, it did not sit well with Android users, and the current 2.9-star rating is proof of that.
Now it’s Google’s turn, and the Switch to Android app is coming in a few weeks
Switch to Android was in the works since last year, and now it’s really close to hitting primetime. Based on a report from Tech Crunch, this app is expected to land in the next couple of weeks. That’s not too long of a wait, but it’s a wait nonetheless. The reason for the wait is the Pixel line of phones. Google is working on releasing an update to the Pixel phones that will allow it to utilize the app. We’re not sure when that update will land, but it shouldn’t take too long.
So, what is this app about?
Transitioning from Android phone to Android phone is hard enough, but moving from iOS to Android is a pain in the neck. While you can use cables between the phones or transfer the data between a cloud or hard drive, Google wants to take the trouble out of transferring. The Switch to Android app will take certain content like photos, videos, contacts, messages, calendar data, and more and back it all up to Google Drive. After that, you’ll be able to download everything to your new or existing Android phone. They will also allow you to transfer to the Android device using a cable, but it’s going to prioritize using the first method.
