The ripples of change that the European Union has been applying over American tech giant Apple continues to cascade. Apple unveiled the iOS 17.4 earlier this week, which notably readies iPhones for the advent of third-party app marketplaces in Europe, and features changes that adhere to regualations from the Digital Markets Act (DMA) set by the EU. Alongside the prospect of external App Store competitors, Apple is poised to introduce further enhancements to its ecosystem, including a feature that could streamline a smooth transition to Android and vice-versa.
Apple in its Non-Confidential Summary of DMA Compliance Report, reflected on the apprehensions regarding alterations to its enclosed ecosystem, while underscoring the company’s limited scope in implementing “safeguards” to uphold European user interests amidst newfound freedoms. Yet resting amidst Apple’s reservations and contentions lies confirmation of forthcoming iOS transformations.
The once formidable barriers of the iPhone’s closed ecosystem may soon yield, as iOS 17.4 has already introduced a rudimentary browser selection screen upon initial setup, but by the close of 2024, Apple aims to grant user in EU (or all regions), the ability to uninstall Safari entirely. Furthermore, iPhone users can anticipate the freedom to export and import browsing data between Safari and alternative browsers, with a projected rollout between late 2024 and early 2025. This heralds the prospect of seamless migration of years’ worth of browsing data to Chrome or other platforms, sans the anxiety of data loss.
Moving to Android now easier?
The most significant revelation however is the potential pathway for smooth transitioning from iOS to Android. Although Apple abstains from explicit reference to Android, it outlines plans for a user-friendly data migration tool facilitating the transfer of user data from an iPhone to a “non-Apple phone.” Evidently positioned as a painless solution, this initiative suggests that switching from an iPhone to, for instance, a Pixel device, may become a more streamlined process. Apple’s target timeframe for this feature’s debut is set for 2025.
Anticipating the global dissemination of these tools akin to Apple’s third-party app marketplaces seems implausible. Despite the incorporation of USB-C in the iPhone 15 series, partly influenced by EU regulations, Apple seems to exhibit minimal enthusiasm for extending these software solutions beyond mandated regions. Whether or not this feature would remain an EU exclusive, still remains unclear. Google on the other hand offers its own data migration app for Android, called “Move to iOS” with some functionalities constrained by iOS’s limitations. New Android devices feature two modes of transferring data, one is by using the iPhone’s Lightning cable and connecting it to a C-Type cable and the other is wireless transfer over wi-fi.
While the company refrained from elaborating further on the feature, Apple’s Data & Privacy website is undergoing updates to enable users to export their App Store data to authorized third parties, according to the document. Presently, users have the option to request the transfer of their iCloud Photos to Google Photos or download various data collected by Apple’s apps, such as Notes, Calendar, Contacts, Maps, Wallet Activity, Mail, Safari Bookmarks, reading lists, and more. Apple assures users that they will also have the capability to schedule daily downloads of their App Store data for 30 days, or opt for weekly downloads for 180 days, ensuring that the provided data remains continuously updated to reflect the most current information.
