Switching from Apple to Android Phone

[Holman]

Forgive me if there's already a thread for this.

I've been using Apple iPhones for 15 years (despite the fact that I hate using a mac PC). Now it's time for me to get a new phone as my current iPhone will barely charge at night and barely lasts a day.

Since iPhones are way more expensive, is there any reason not to switch to an Android phone? How hard is it to transfer my contacts from one operating system to the other? What problems or issues should I expect?

Thanks!

[Smoove_B]

What problems or issues should I expect?

The pain of using an Android phone? I kid (sorta), but I only know people that have gone the other way - from Android to Apple - and they have all said they can't believe how much better it is. I understand that maybe things are better now, but I'd make sure you hear from lots of people that switched before you make that kind of decision. New iPhones are expensive, but depending on how you use it, there are always cheaper options. I also just traded in an iPhone 8 to get my new phone and they credited me an absurd amount of money for a phone that was like an Atari 2600 in comparison to what I have now.

[LordMortis]

Since iPhones are way more expensive,

Not sure what your expectation is but I find the SE to be a reasonable phone at a reasonable price. I actually like the smaller phone and Otterbox still makes the solid case I like for it.

That's me.

I'm decidedly not a fan of google ecosystem though, so the iPhone (without wallet) is the only way for me.

The cost of my SE is $7 a month for two years with a big hit and complete loss of subisdy if I leave TMobile before the two years are up. I had a 7 to trade in, which was worthless (I think it was $10 credit and only because they wanted to hook me in to a longer contract somehow) and I didn't qualify for any of the plans you see on TV because my base plan $35 a month for one person and I'm not switching off it for any reason as long as they let me keep it.

[RunningMn9]

(despite the fact that I hate using a mac PC)

Your words don’t make sense.

In any case, in terms of what you should know, the primary difference is the 8579 settings you can use to tweak Android. And as a general rule, app quality is a bit lesser in the Android world (much harder to make money off Android users, so not as much effort is placed on that side of the house).

I say this as an iPhone user that develops Android apps for a living.

[Max Peck]

How hard is it to transfer my contacts from one operating system to the other?

According to the fine folks at android.com, it's super easy, barely an inconvenience.

Transferring phone numbers from an iPhone to your Android device is easy. It begins with a simple, satisfying step—turning on Android for the first time. Your phone will show you how to get started. Just make sure it's fully charged and ready to go.

Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your Android phone to your mobile and wireless networks. Then, when prompted, put your old iPhone cable to use one last time by plugging the USB-C into your new Android phone and the lightning end into your iPhone. If you're coming from an older iPhone device, you may also need a USB-A to USB-C adapter.

Once you’ve signed into your Google Account, your Android phone will ask what data you’d like to copy. Select any and all data you want to take with you. You won’t be able to do another transfer once you finish setting up your Android phone, so be sure to select everything you want during this step. Transfer your contacts. Copy your photos and videos. Even carry over your favorite apps, WhatsApp chats, messages and music. Cable transfer moves all your data over so you can start moving forward.

If you don’t have your old iPhone cable, you can still transfer contacts and other data to your new Android wirelessly. It’s convenient and reliable—just tap the “No cable?” or “Cable doesn’t fit?” option to continue. Before you know it, your contacts, photos, videos and calendar events will be waiting for you on your new Android phone.

[Holman]

Well, I'm trying to save some money.

Here is how I use my phone:
Texting
Voice telephone calls
Email
GPS and map directions
Bluesky (formerly: Twitter)
Checking the weather
Using the city transit app to check bus times
Spotify music
Sharing grocery lists etc with family
Very occasional Youtube (but normally this is on PC or iPad)

Here's how I don't use a phone:
YouTube or other video services
TikTok (or whatever)
Streaming movies
Games
Filming or creating any kind of complex video product
Anything with a bunch of tech requirements

[LordMortis]

That's a lot like me. I don't spotify. I use VLC, a host of grocery shopping apps, and my calorie tracker app; check in on my activity levels; coordinate my day planning; and on rare occasions use it as a hotspot. If you don't need much then the SE 3rd Gen really is the way to go. Who is your provider and what do you have now?

Looks like TMobile does the SE for $8.96/month for 24 months with promotion (no trade in)
Verizon $0.00/mo after credit of $11.94/mo for 36 mos on your Verizon mobile bill.
ATT $1.99/mo for 36 months.

They all list at about $480 if you break the contract.

I will note that it is not very powerful and gets less so with every update and heavy app usage will drain the battery in a day or less. Anything you are getting for this price is going to be like that though.

[McNutt]

I switched to Android after the iPhone 3 (I think). I've been very happy with Android. My family hates that they can't video call me without using a different app (boo hoo). Other than that there isn't much difference. The apps might not be as good, but I can't tell the difference.

I do like being able to get a kickass phone for a lot cheaper. Right now I'm using a OnePlus 12 and have been very happy with it. When you buy them outright you can get really low service plans. Mint is $15/month for their unlimited plan.

[JCC]

You can definitely save money on the cost of a phone going to Android. But, as others have noted, the SE is an excellent phone for a bargain price. If you like the Apple ecosystem then it's easy and affordable to stay in it with an SE.

Android offers a lot more variety of phones to pick from. And the flexibility of using any computer to text as opposed to only using Mac's. (Though many Windows OEMs include software that has a way to text via iPhone from Windows. I can't speak to them as I have never tried to use them.)

I don't think either Android or Apple is "better". It's just a preference.

[hepcat]

I’ve got both due to supporting both in the IT world at work. I use the android far more because I love Android Auto. Apple Auto sucked ass when I last tried it because it wouldn’t let you voice control other streaming music services than iTunes. They may have fixed that since then, but it was such a pain in the ass I never bothered with it again.

[RunningMn9]

As a developer, I will definitely say that under the hood, Android is absolute dog shit. Google is beyond the worst in terms of creating and supporting APIs and technologies. I legitimately hate Google for that.

Android phones are top notch (and can be every bit as expensive as iPhones). Android phones offer much better customization options (if you are into that).

I’ve used both CarPlay and Android Auto, but prefer CarPlay (for the same reason I prefer most Apple solutions over Android - it just feels more natural to me).

And of course your Android phone is really just a vehicle to make it easier for Google to sell everything there could possibly be to know about you.

Edit to add: transferring things like contacts, pics, etc, that should be easy peasy. But obviously any financial commitment you have in the Apple ecosystem won’t transfer.

I still can’t believe you don’t like MacOS. That is unimaginable to me. It is such a vastly superior option (especially on modern Apple silicon).

[hepcat]

Apple and Google both claim they do not sell your private data.

I believe neither of them.

As for preference, I went with the option that allowed me to do what I wanted, which was use voice control to play music and access apps outside the Apple made apps ecosystem. It’s unimaginable to me that someone would think that’s unimaginable.

That being said, I just checked and it seems it does now work with some non Apple apps (Spotify, pandora, etc). I’ll give it another shot. I don’t hate Apple. It just didn’t do what I wanted when I tried CarPlay. I have no loyalty to one over the other. I just want functionality.

[naednek]

What problems or issues should I expect?

The pain of using an Android phone? I kid (sorta), but I only know people that have gone the other way - from Android to Apple - and they have all said they can't believe how much better it is.

Funny, I've heard the opposite, and I experienced the opposite. Iphones are just simple devices for people who just want to think they are in some elite club.

Android seems to give you more options and freedom. I've had the Pixel, 6 pro, 7pro, and recently upgraded to a Pixel 9 Pro XL. No issues.

[hepcat]

Third option: Blackberry?

[stessier]

I only ever used Android until forced to carry an iPhone for work this year. It was the first time I've ever used an Apple product. I am not a fan.

[RunningMn9]

I only ever used Android until forced to carry an iPhone for work this year. It was the first time I've ever used an Apple product. I am not a fan.

How much control does your work exert over your phone? As a Fed, I have a second iPhone for work which they have modified to the nine hells. Using it is pain and things randomly don’t work. None of those things have ever happened to me with my normal phone.

In general, it really comes down to personal preference. One isn’t objectively better than the other. People prefer one over the other for variety of legitimate reasons.

Whether that applies to the OP or not, I don’t know. I know very few people that started in the Apple ecosystem and went to Android without regretting their decision. Maybe that says something about the people I know? I don’t know. The Android to Apple folks (that chose to do it, and weren’t compelled by a job) all seemed happy with the change. The most common refrain was “everything just works”.

To be fair though, they were choosing to make the change because of some difficulty they were having with their specific Android phone. So that’s not really some revelation.

My advice to the OP is to find a phone that works for your price point (either OS) and just jump off the cliff. One way or another you will get the data you need transferred, and even if there are some things you aren’t used to that might annoy you, you’ll get used to it soon enough and it will be just fine.

Just know that under the hood, Google is the absolute worst. I could not possibly hate developing for Android more than I do. Pure hate.

[LordMortis]

The most common refrain was “everything just works”.

Anecdotally, people I know with Androids end up with limited functioning Androids and replace them a lot more frequently than people with iPhones. I don't know if that is the quality control of having a single source, the expense extends to the care vs the disposablity of something cheaper, the volume of people who own each kind, or it's just the people I know. But it's always something. The front camera doesn't work anymore. The signal drops for no reason. The mic cuts out. The phone goes to voicemail for no reason and then works normally etc... The solution is never software according to various support. It's always replace the phone. Again, I don't know if that is just how support works or these things just break. I also harumph that I am often first line of tech support for so many when I was the last to adopt a smartphone and have never owned any google designed OS of any kind device myself, so I am quick to seek support from people who are supposed to be knowledgeable myself. (Manufacturers, POS or remote from the carrier, etc...)

[Blackhawk]

If you haven't noticed, most of the responses boil down to, "I think the one I'm used to using is better."

It's like Mac and PC. One gives you a more reliable experience at the cost of giving up choice and control. The other leaves you in control, but the trade off is inconsistent quality, primarily in apps.

[Pyperkub]

I'm actually thinking about going the other way after having been a never apple's walled garden for decades.

Google has become so evil lately, at least Apple seems to try to protect it's users.
If I can't actually own my phone, it's seems like I may have to go with the one which isn't an evil snake.

https://dailygalaxy.com/2024/12/say-goo ... er-before/

[LordMortis]

Sure seems like footpriniting is already happening. I know I have laptops that don't log in to anything in my house that are use strictly for public streaming and somehow when Edge finagles it's way into popping up it's home page is advertising stuff I was browsing at my local grocer on a machine this is heavily logged in to things via that grocer and other places. It's insidious. So much so, I've been debating to taking my whole home network into an encrypted VPN and disguising my IP. It's something I need to start doing diligence on.

[hitbyambulance]

having worked with both OSes for years, and also at the manufacturers of both OSes themselves (i'm currently at the fruit one) i will admit, if i had to have a mobile phone (which i don't - i'd rather they weren't a thing) and i had to choose between Android and iDevice (i'd rather have something like a PinePhone), i would _prefer_ Android due to the customization, non-locked-down-ness (the walled Apple garden really bothers me) and free applications, but i have a second-hand iPhone SE gen 2 because Apple provides a very, very long period of security updates for their devices. my iPhone 5S got security updates all the way to 2020 or 2021, if i remember correctly, and i only stopped using it because the 3G radio was going to no longer be supported in the US. this is by far and away the most important feature in an internet-enabled phone, to me, and greatly expands the 'needing a new phone' lifecycle. i think the SE 2 has an unreasonably poor battery life, but i have read that was improved in the SE 3 - then again, i don't see a need to upgrade.

check swappa.com for used phones and the price of an iPhone SE - you'll probably find a lot of good options after the holidays. https://swappa.com/buy/phones

(despite the fact that I hate using a mac PC)

Your words don’t make sense.

no need to keep buying into an ancient Apple marketing tactic - PC = Personal Computer

[Kraken]

Most of us prefer what we're familiar with. I've only ever had Android phones, and the the two times in my life I had to deal with Apple products were not happy ones. I'll probably replace my 6-year-old S10 next month, in case the threatened tariffs materialize and raise phone prices by 20%. I'll most likely buy whatever the latest Galaxy is because that's what I'm comfortable with. I can't compare Android to iOS, but I can tell you that Android works just fine.

[Daehawk]

I cant say Ive switched to Apple because I hate Apple with a passion. And their batteries dying is one reason. But I did switch from ZTE I think it was to an Android from Samsung..a Galaxy A15 and I LOVE it. So easy to use. looks great and feels great.

[LordMortis]

i think the SE 2 has an unreasonably poor battery life, but i have read that was improved in the SE 3 - then again, i don't see a need to upgrade.

That's one thing I hate about iPhone. Planned obsolescence. I only replaced my 7 last year because it just couldn't handle the updates. The computing power necessary to function killed both battery and response time. I had replaced the battery even through the expensive iStore people because the phone itself was in great shape but it still just couldn't handle existence. The lower tier 3rd Gen SE is already starting to show signs of being a bit overworked but it should be a few year, I hope, before it gets to be a hassle. If it goes any quicker than that, then I might actually convert to Android use after doing some diligence. While I prefer the environment I have, I also want something that lasts and doesn't degrade in a few years. I could stay on what I have basically forever, so long as the price of maintenance is reasonable. Slowly taking it away from me because the expectation is everyone replaces phones every three years doesn't sit well my brain.

[raydude]

i think the SE 2 has an unreasonably poor battery life, but i have read that was improved in the SE 3 - then again, i don't see a need to upgrade.

That's one thing I hate about iPhone. Planned obsolescence. I only replaced my 7 last year because it just couldn't handle the updates. The computing power necessary to function killed both battery and response time. I had replaced the battery even through the expensive iStore people because the phone itself was in great shape but it still just couldn't handle existence. The lower tier 3rd Gen SE is already starting to show signs of being a bit overworked but it should be a few year, I hope, before it gets to be a hassle. If it goes any quicker than that, then I might actually convert to Android use after doing some diligence. While I prefer the environment I have, I also want something that lasts and doesn't degrade in a few years. I could stay on what I have basically forever, so long as the price of maintenance is reasonable. Slowly taking it away from me because the expectation is everyone replaces phones every three years doesn't sit well my brain.

I was reading up on software support for phones and looks like the iPhones get supported for about 6-7 years for iOS updates. While it may be true that older iphone models end up not being fast enough to run apps I can't imagine newer ones (like iphone 12 and up) getting slow; unless we're talking about games or complicated apps. I kept my iphone6 for six years until I upgraded to iphone 12 pro. I intend to keep my 12pro until 2027 when its no longer supported. Granted, I don't feel the slowdown because I don't play games on my iphone, but I still use other apps for it and feel that it's still running fine.

As for battery life, yeah I also feel that it runs out of joice faster now (haven't replaced the battery yet). For that I just put it in low power mode all day, recharge in the morning and evening, and carry a battery pack in my bag.

[Sudy]

The pain of using an Android phone? I kid (sorta), but I only know people that have gone the other way - from Android to Apple - and they have all said they can't believe how much better it is.

I have nothing helpful to add, but I just have no idea how that could be true. I appreciate it is true for some people, but as a lifelong Android user whenever I have to help my parents with their Iphones I'm constantly swearing at them (the phones, not my parents... usually) for their unintuitive UIs and opinionated, railroading design choices. Not that Google doesn't cram their own design philosophy down your throat (what do you mean I can't disable autocomplete in the Chrome search bar, or include the time of day in a Google Calendar appointment subject without transforming it into a scheduled event with a much less visible marker??), but it's never seemed nearly as hostile to me and there are often workarounds.

[Daehawk]

Not to mention how stupid expensive Apple is. I dont care for the snobbery either. Haughty bastards. Even the Woz cant stand them I dont think.

[Smoove_B]

I have nothing helpful to add, but I just have no idea how that could be true.

It's always been a "this doesn't work" or "my phone keeps rebooting" situation. It's not a UI or availability of some type of app. It's always been reliability when I've heard complaints.

[JCC]

As has been pointed out before in this thread, an iPhone SE is a very nice inexpensive phone. You don't have many options on iPhones, but it is incorrect to say that you can't get a reasonably priced one.

[McNutt]

When I bought my OnePlus phone a few months ago the equivalent iPhone would have been $450 more. That's insane.

Sent from my CPH2583 using Tapatalk

[hitbyambulance]

i really don't think you need to buy the phone 'new', either. a good quality used one from a trusted seller (like swappa, mentioned above) will save a LOT of money. 'good' condition iPhone SE 3 phones there start at $163 with shipping ... (and the seller also has to post the battery condition:




i am NOT trying to push apple products by any means - they and google each have their own set of very real problems and it's not a great scene - but just trying to point out there are a few affordable options on that platform)

[Zarathud]

I switched to an iPhone because I want a phone that works without fiddling, and my old Android phone ended up with me asking hepcat for help too frequently. He says he didn’t mind, but I didn’t want to be dependent.

[AjD]

Long-time android user here. I recently watched this deep dive into Android vs the latest Apple phones from LInus Tech Tips. Lots of insight and depth into how the day-to-day user experience difers between each type.

Worth a view if you're considering switching. I'm happy with android, but still found watching this an interesting window into how the "other half" lives.

[LordMortis]

I was reading up on software support for phones and looks like the iPhones get supported for about 6-7 years for iOS updates. While it may be true that older iphone models end up not being fast enough to run apps I can't imagine newer ones (like iphone 12 and up) getting slow; unless we're talking about games or complicated apps. I kept my iphone6 for six years until I upgraded to iphone 12 pro. I intend to keep my 12pro until 2027 when its no longer supported. Granted, I don't feel the slowdown because I don't play games on my iphone, but I still use other apps for it and feel that it's still running fine.

As for battery life, yeah I also feel that it runs out of joice faster now (haven't replaced the battery yet). For that I just put it in low power mode all day, recharge in the morning and evening, and carry a battery pack in my bag.

Everything technically ran. It's more a question of how responsive things were and how much they chewed the battery. Before retiring my 7 this year, with a battery that was less than a year old (as I assumed the battery was at the core of my problem and was told by Apple staff that it would help but not solve the my problems) all of my grocery apps would take several minutes to load and another several minutes to populate. My calorie tracker while active would just eat the battery alive. The 7 itself I think was going to be supported for another 2 years when I laid it rest. The OS and sucked up so much of computing power and everything else had to work on that framework. Such is life. I don't have to like the game but if I want to stay with what I am accustomed to then I have to play ball.

[hepcat]

I switched to an iPhone because I want a phone that works without fiddling, and my old Android phone ended up with me asking hepcat for help too frequently. He says he didn’t mind, but I :didn’t want to be dependent.

I put Pornhub in your favorites. That’s the only thing I remember.

Oh, wait….the next day I switched the preferences in your pornhub profile I’d set for you after you got pissed at me.

[Zarathud]

Private mode, not “show my privates” mode.

[RunningMn9]

no need to keep buying into an ancient Apple marketing tactic - PC = Personal Computer

What didn't make sense was preferring Windows over MacOS. That's crazy talk. I get running Windows for games (I do it too), but Windows blows giant whale dong compared to MacOS.

[RunningMn9]

Planned obsolescence. I only replaced my 7 last year because it just couldn't handle the updates.

Bruh. I think it's time to acknowledge that smart phones aren't for you.

The iPhone 7 is a 2016 phone. Using it until 2023/2024 and then kind of griping that you had to replace it might be the most old man thing I've ever heard. For the record, it's perfectly fine to believe that, but you really aren't in the demo any more for these things. The young whippersnappers are working on 2 year upgrade cycles.

[RunningMn9]

That's just a general thought here. This thread gets depressing, watching cranky old men prefer their lawns, and wanting the kids off of them.

[Kraken]

The young whippersnappers are working on 2 year upgrade cycles.

What can a today-phone do that a 2-years-ago phone can't? (Asking as an old man who's still thinks 4G is plenty.)