Google appears to be working on a 'Switch to Android' app for iOS

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Beats Studio Buds Android Pairing
Beats Studio Buds Android Pairing (Image credit: Rene Ritchie)

What you need to know

  • The latest version of Android's "Data Restore Tool" contains references to a new app.
  • The app, titled "Switch to Android," would help iPhone users switch to an Android phone wirelessly.
  • The app would be similar to Apple's "Move to iOS" app for Android which has been around for years.

For those who have wanted to switch from Android to iOS, Apple has kept the "Move to iOS" app for Android up to date for years now.

As reported by 9to5Google, Google may be looking to build something similar for iOS users wanting to make their way over to Android. Code found within the latest release of Android's "Data Restore Tool" references a new app called "Switch to Android."

Android's official "Data Restore Tool" got an update recently to version 1.0.382048734, and in it, we've noticed mentions of a Google-developed "Switch to Android" app for iOS, similar to Apple's "Move to iOS" app for Android.

Google Pixel 3a XL

Google Pixel 3a XL (Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / iMore)

When the outlet looked through the code, they found that the app would allow an iPhone user to connect to their new Android phone wirelessly to transfer their data like apps, text messages, contacts, and more.

From what we can tell, rather than copying your data through something like a USB-C to Lightning cable, the Switch to Android app flow will start a local WiFi network (like a hotspot) on your Android. On your iPhone, you'll connect to this new network, and the two apps will take care of the rest.One particularly interesting change with the addition of "Switch to Android" is that much of the Data Restore Tool's text has been altered to mention that your apps can be copied from your iPhone. Here are a few examples."To transfer apps, SMS messages, and contacts, enter your iTunes® backup password.""To transfer apps, iCloud® contacts, device contacts, and iMessage® messages, you'll need to remove device management on your iPhone®."

I've made the switch from iPhone to Pixel before and, while it was easier than most people think, it did require a cable to be connected between my iPhone and my new Android phone. With this potential new app, Google seems to be looking to remove the need for a cable entirely.

It's currently unknown if and when Google will release its "Switch to Android" app. If you're wanting to go the opposite direction, check out our list of the Best iPhone in 2021 and How to Switch from Android to iPhone.

Joe Wituschek
Joe Wituschek
Contributor

Joe Wituschek is a Contributor at iMore. With over ten years in the technology industry, one of them being at Apple, Joe now covers the company for the website. In addition to covering breaking news, Joe also writes editorials and reviews for a range of products. He fell in love with Apple products when he got an iPod nano for Christmas almost twenty years ago. Despite being considered a "heavy" user, he has always preferred the consumer-focused products like the MacBook Air, iPad mini, and iPhone 13 mini. He will fight to the death to keep a mini iPhone in the lineup. In his free time, Joe enjoys video games, movies, photography, running, and basically everything outdoors.