Android to iOS

[HTP99]

Back in the day I had an iPhone 3G, I then moved to Android and have been there ever since (apart from a dalliance with Windows Phone), currently I have a Huawei P30 pro which I like, the contract is up in Feb/March, I could go sim free but I can see it not receiving Google updates for too much longer, I would've happily gone for the new Huawei but no Google Services which is a killer.

Recently I've been drawn to the iPhone 13Pro/Max, I have always liked the look and premium feel of Apple phones, the current Android offerings just don't seem to grab me, Samsung S21 Ultra has great specs but I just can't get excited, There is the S22 next year but I can see that being big bucks initially, there is OPPO but I am wary of Chines tech now, given the issues with Huawei and I've read the Find X3 pro will only be getting Google updates for 2 years.

I guess I could wait to see what the latest Pixel offerings will be like, however I've always found Pixel a bit meh, in terms of looks, I like a premium feeling and looking phone.

So has anyone recently gone from Android to iOS, how did you find it and I have a few questions:

1. I'm not a fan of the multiple tiles on a screen that iOS seem to display, I like a few folders, a weather and time widget and the rest of the screen free, is this possible with iOS now?
2. Google maps, can I have these and are they free?
3. All my photo's automatically back up to Google photo's, can I still use this and will it still be free and as easy to use as it is on Android?
4. Do I have to use Apple cloud offerings?
5. No fingerprint scanner, only face i.d., has anyone found this an issue, I do like the fingerprint scanner?
6. Any downsides?
7. Any positives?
8. Is 128gb big enough, it is on my current phone so I assume it is on iOS?
9. Was/is the transition easy as in moving over apps and info from one phone to another?

I'm not into rooting and buggering about with my phone deep into the OS so the greater flexibility of Android in that respect is not something that I need or will miss at all.

Thanks all in advance.

ps if I do go the iOS route my manager will forever be ribbing me as I've always ribbed him, he's is a bit of an Apple fanboi "Apple are the best because they are" with no actual reasoning "just because"!!

Edited by HTP99 on Thursday 7th October 15:39

[PHlL]

Whilst can't be too helpful going to Android to iOS, I have recently gone to iOS to Android.

Mainly fancied something different, plus have a number of other Google services, inc. Google home so thought I'd give it ago. Also run a work iPhone.

I must say, for me, it's a revolution after 10 years on iOS. I don't really mess around with the setting so it's pretty basic setup, but there are few things I really like.

1) I have a home screen, and home screen only. This has all my regular apps I use, without folders and can be configured how I want it.
2) Screen mirroring/casting seems a lot easier. Not all my devices have airplay built in, but most things can be cast too.
3) Photos. Mine's configured to backup to BT cloud. The biggest issue on Apple is now getting my old photos. I can only access them via iPhotos. Which you can no longer do simply over the web and needs to be on an apple device. Thankfully have a Macbook I can get them off, but trying to just get a photo as a jpeg or png is neon impossible and major frustration.
4) Having a USB-C port.
5) No notch. The hole punch cut out is far better IMO

I really don't think there's anything I miss on my iPhone. But I'm not too tasking a user. If you're an Apple service user, apple music, photos etc. I can see the appeal. That is what they trade on how simple it is within their eco system.

If you don't want to be in their eco system, and you've already said you use Google photos, some of the most mundane tasks, such as trying to email a jpeg of a family pic to my brother, is tiresome.

But this is just my view. The one good thing about my old iPhone is it has aged well, whereas I had an Android work phone 10 years ago which was garbage after a year. Hopefully my current S21 is more in line with Apple longevity.

[Murph7355]

You'd be better off Googling for 30mins to get comfortable, but....

HTP99 said:

...

1. I'm not a fan of the multiple tiles on a screen that iOS seem to display, I like a few folders, a weather and time widget and the rest of the screen free, is this possible with iOS now?

No - iOS doesn't do widgets. Biggest reason I won't go back at present as they make the phone so much nicer to use.

HTP99 said:

...

1. Google maps, can I have these and are they free?

The app's avalable on the Apple App Store...so can be used. Whether there are integrated bits you enjoy on Android that aren't on iOS who knows.

HTP99 said:

...

1. All my photo's automatically back up to Google photo's, can I still use this and will it still be free and as easy to use as it is on Android?
2. Do I have to use Apple cloud offerings?

Google Photos is also available, so the next question..."no".

As with all things like this, if you step away from the intended eco-system, you are likely to have a few bits that are clunky. Apple are, IME, worse in this respect (a big selling point of Android is it's flexibility (in exchange for being less "simple" in some respects).

HTP99 said:

...

1. No fingerprint scanner, only face i.d., has anyone found this an issue, I do like the fingerprint scanner?

I tend to use face recognition on Android way more than fingerprints (which IME are less reliable).

HTP99 said:

...

1. Any downsides?
2. Any positives?

Only you can say

To me, widgets (or lack of) are a showstopper. Closely followed by the lack of flexibility in setting up screens to your liking. The hardware's not even that better in terms of "premium feel" IMO. I have a Galaxy Note 10+ and think it feels every bit as good as any iPhone. If you spend similar amounts, you'll get a similar feeling phone other than differences in design.

HTP99 said:

...

1. Is 128gb big enough, it is on my current phone so I assume it is on iOS?

Wouldn't be for me. Seems to be for you.

One thing irking me about Android at present is the lack of firms persisting with expandable memory. Fortunately my Note 10+ takes SD cards and will hopefully last me a while.

HTP99 said:

...

1. Was/is the transition easy as in moving over apps and info from one phone to another?

I'm not into rooting and buggering about with my phone deep into the OS so the greater flexibility of Android in that respect is not something that I need or will miss at all.

Never transferred that way so can't really comment. Don't expect to not to have to do anything at all though. Migrating always involves degrees of headache.

I don't root my phones either, but the additional flexibility is something I find very useful as mentioned earlier.

What widgets do you use? Don't underestimate the value of them...on my home screen I have the weather forecast (hourly or daily) plus the next couple of days' calendar events immediately visible (and very, very quick to adjust locations for the weather or see later days' appointments. And I still have plenty of space for app access icons (15, plus the widgets allow access to their respective apps. Could have more icons if I really wanted). You can't do that on iOS - it frustrated me then (I switched over for a Galaxy S3) and it would frustrate me now for precisely zero advantages.

[HTP99]

Mmm, thanks guys already food for thought, I think I just fancy/fancied a change, maybe not now, I do use widgets; weather, calendar, news, Spotify etc and I've just found out that there is no Always on Display on iOS, which I do like very much on my current phone.

[Dracoro]

iOS does have “widgets” nowadays (not sure how they differ to Android ones though).
A iOS has folders to put apps in, so your home page(s) have have folder to group as you see fit.

[jesusbuiltmycar]

Murph7355 said:

I tend to use face recognition on Android way more than fingerprints (which IME are less reliable).

Is it secure? I didn't think that the Android implementation is accepted by banking apps etc.

I know a couple of years ago it was woefull and accepted photos (TheRegister had an article where some phone could be unlocked with any photo of a face)...

[robsa]

HTP99 said:

1. I'm not a fan of the multiple tiles on a screen that iOS seem to display, I like a few folders, a weather and time widget and the rest of the screen free, is this possible with iOS now?
2. Google maps, can I have these and are they free?
3. All my photo's automatically back up to Google photo's, can I still use this and will it still be free and as easy to use as it is on Android?
4. Do I have to use Apple cloud offerings?
5. No fingerprint scanner, only face i.d., has anyone found this an issue, I do like the fingerprint scanner?
6. Any downsides?
7. Any positives?
8. Is 128gb big enough, it is on my current phone so I assume it is on iOS?
9. Was/is the transition easy as in moving over apps and info from one phone to another?

1. Widgets and space on screen - yes to both, but widgets are not as comprehensive as android. Folders, yes

2. Google maps, yes

3. Google photos, yes

4. no you don’t have to use iCloud

5. Face ID is excellent, especially if you also use an Apple Watch as it still unlocks wearing a mask if you do

6. Downsides - lots of little ones that aren’t really important like all phones

7. Upsides - my 13 pro max battery is insane and it’s the best phone I’ve ever owned

8. 128Gb? Not for me, no, but if it’s the same as your current phone and that is enough then yes

9. Moving across will almost certainly cause plenty of annoyance for a couple of months. I’ve been both ways a number of times and it always does my head in for a while

[Murph7355]

Dracoro said:

iOS does have “widgets” nowadays (not sure how they differ to Android ones though).
A iOS has folders to put apps in, so your home page(s) have have folder to group as you see fit.

Crikey. So it does!

Got there in the end.

Will see if my OH's iPhone supports it and will have a look.

jesusbuiltmycar said:

Is it secure? I didn't think that the Android implementation is accepted by banking apps etc.

I know a couple of years ago it was woefull and accepted photos (TheRegister had an article where some phone could be unlocked with any photo of a face)...

I only use one and that works.

Will try and spoof it with a photo at some point

[grumbledoak]

I have switched over recently.

There are home screen folders. You don't have so much ability to customize the exact layout but I don't miss faffing with it.

I am still on GMail. There is an app.

I just let it put the new photos on iCloud. I've downloaded my Google Photos now. I could upload I guess, but I haven't.

Apple Maps works just as well, so I don't miss Google Maps. I have installed Waze.

Overall it wasn't very painful and they are much of a muchness.

[paulrockliffe]

If you want a really simple launcher you could look at Action Launcher for Android. It has lots of flexibility that means you can go really simple without it being a pain when you want to access a rarely used app.

The best thing about it is cover folder; dump all your similar apps into a folder, then select one as the default and the folder turns into the icon for that app and if you press it it opens. But if oyu swipe down on it it opens the folder and gives you all the others. Eg setup a folder of navigation apps, set Maps as the default because that's what you use 99% of the time, but you're a swipe away from National Rail, Shell's pay at the pump app, a London Tube Map or OS maps etc.

I have that single page setup, though there's a slide in side bar option that I've got a calendar widget on so the calendar is off the side.

[Murph7355]

paulrockliffe said:

If you want a really simple launcher you could look at Action Launcher for Android. ....

I use Nova Launcher on Android. Like it a lot.