A Guide for Making the Switch from Android to iOS

The two most popular smartphone operating systems in the world, Android and iOS, couldn’t be more different! The two camps have been at it for almost a decade now and there doesn’t seem to be a clear winner. Today, we’re going to address the delicate issue of switching from Android to iOS. Whether you’re tired of Android or you’re just in the mood for a change, you are going to need a bit of help during the process. You’re going to need to know what to expect and how to deal with the changes. So, for those people who are planning to move from Android to iOS, we have a small guide that will help them during the process.

Before we begin we would like to say that you need to prepare yourself emotionally before you make the switch. The two operating system are completely different and you will get frustrated at times. You need to be calm about it and remind yourself that you made a calculated decision and that you can always switch back if you and iOS don’t become friends.

Another thing is that you need to do a little bit of research about how you’re going to transfer all of your contact and data from your Android smartphone to the iPhone. Fortunately, Apple is willing to help you out with that, but it only began offering information about the switch later this year. Up until now, when you bought the iPhone, you could have asked for information, but there was no official info about the switch. Another route would be forums, but they’re not always easy.

So what is Apple saying about the switch from Android to iOS?

Later this year Apple finally released some information on their official website about how to approach a switch from Android to iOS. The precious information will show you how to set up a new mail account, move your contacts mails and calendars from your Android phone to your iPhone, how to use an app, how to copy various data from Android to iOS, how to sign in to social media, how to move photos and videos from Android to iOS, and even how to use an app.

Apple knows that iTunes isn’t the easiest program to use, so they will show you how to use it to transfer photos, music and movies from your computer to your iPhone. You’ll also be instructed how to move books and PDFs, access eBooks from other apps, install Numbers, Pages and Keynote apps, set up iCloud and upload documents to iCloud.

What to Expect When Moving from Android to iOS

The most important advice we can give you about the switch from Android to iOS is to keep an open mind and be patient. With that in mind, here are a few things you should now and expect when making the big move from Android to iOS.

The Significant Changes

Customizability is Vastly Different Between the Two OSs

One of the most important differences between Android and iOS refers to customizability. As an Android user, you’re used to customizing your whole operating system according to your needs and this is probably the best part of Android. Well, when you make the switch from Android to iOS you should know that you’re going to lose a lot of that customization and you are going to miss it for a while. iOS does not have screen widgets and you can’t place app icons wherever you want. You also can’t change some of the default apps and quite a few other things. But if you’ve never been the type of person who enjoys Android’s customizability, then iOS will feel like a sweet release.

The App Selection Is Quite Different

We’re going to flat-out say it: iOS apps are better built than Android ones. This is not because Android is inherently worse than iOS, but because there are hundreds of different Android devices out there, while iOS ones, just a few, which allows developers to better control their apps. The most popular applications are available on both iOS and Android, but once you move to iPhone, you’ll see that the apps you’re going to use on a daily basis are going won’t be as buggy as they were on Android and they won’t crash nearly as often.

Also, one other reason why the apps are much better is that the iTunes App store is much more policed than the Google Play one, which translates into zero malware and spam.

You’ll Still be Able to use Google Services

Switching to iOS doesn’t mean that you’ll never have to touch Google again! In fact, you can still be very much involved in the Google universe with popular apps such as: Hangouts, Google Play Music, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Chrome, Google Docs and Google Search. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use the newly improved Google Calendar, Google Goggles, My Tracks and other Google specific apps and features, but Apple makes up for all that with their own great apps.

iOS Is Definitely Easier to Use

Ask anyone who has used Android and has made the switch to iOS and they will tell you that iOS is much easier to use than Android. It is much more intuitive and it allows for easier and faster navigation within the operating system than Android does. Nobody’s saying that Android is a tough cookie, but iOS is truly a breeze to learn and use. It will feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders!

The Interface Differs Immensely

Never mind all the above features we’ve talked about! When it comes to the interface, Android and iOS are completely different. iOS hasn’t changed much since it was launched on the market, while Android varies depending on the manufacturer’s brand. You’ll get used to the little updates that don’t really change too many things on your phone!

The Not So Significant Changes

Now, let’s take a look at the minor things a former Android user and new iOS user is going to experience.

There’s No Back Button in iOS

And thank the Lord for that! Sure, if you’ve been using Android all your life you’re going to find it strange that iPhone don’t have a back button, but that’s the beauty of an iPhone, its sheer simplicity. The only front button that iPhones have are the Home Button, with which you can go back and even close apps.

Unlocking Your Phone

This may seem like a really mundane issue, but it’s an issue! Unlocking your phone in iOS means swiping right from left and in Android means lifting up from down. First world problems right here, but it will take you a while to get used to this.

iMessage is surprisingly good

If you’ve got lots of friends who own iPhones, then you’re not going to need as many messaging apps as you did when you were using Android. Sure, WhatsApp can still be useful, but iMessage is really simple and effective.

It’s natural for things to feel strange at the beginning, but we’re certain that in a couple of weeks you’re going to get the hang of iOS and you’re going to love it!

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Roxanne Briean

I am a geek, a gamer and a writer. I have always been fascinated with the online community. At the moment I work as a full-time writer and study interior design. When I'm not scouring the net in search of interesting new gadgets and software I spend my time in MOBAs or drawing.