Apple Plans to Make Switching from iPhone to Android Easier, Shares Timeline

Apple will also allow users in the EU to uninstall the Safari browser.

Advertisement
Written by Akash Dutta, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 8 March 2024 15:15 IST
Highlights
  • Apple detailed its interoperability plans to comply with DMA
  • iPhones will soon get a feature to transfer data between browsers
  • Apple did not specify if the features will be exclusive to the EU
Apple Plans to Make Switching from iPhone to Android Easier, Shares Timeline

Apple has already added support for alternative app marketplaces in the EU

Photo Credit: Pexels/Mateusz Taciak

Apple is working on a solution that will make it easier to switch from an iPhone to an Android smartphone. The company has published a new document detailing the list of changes it has already made, such as adding support for alternative app marketplaces and allowing third-party browsers to run their browser engine to comply with the European Union's (EU) Digital Marketing Act (DMA) which recently came into effect. It also shared its plans to add more interoperability features including uninstalling the Safari browser, transferring data between different browsers, and more.

In a 12-page document, Apple highlighted the progress it has made to comply with DMA. The tech giant also shared features it is currently working on. The most notable is the migration solution that will help users easily switch from an iPhone to an Android phone. The document stated, “Apple is developing a solution that helps mobile operating system providers develop more user-friendly solutions to transfer data from an iPhone to a non-Apple phone.” This feature will be available in the second half of 2025.

Another thing iPhone users will soon be able to do is fully uninstall the Safari browser. The tech giant has already allowed users to remove pre-installed apps from the Home Screen. “ Apple also plans to enable users to completely delete Safari from iOS, should they wish to do so. Apple aims to make this option available by the end of 2024.”

Notably, Apple's native browser engine Webkit powers Safari browser. All third-party browsers in the App Store also have to use it as the foundation to build their app which is why all third-party browsers look and function similar to Safari. This is one of the reasons why letting users uninstall Safari is tricky for the iPhone maker compared to other similar apps and explains the longer duration taken by the company to implement it.

Advertisement

Further, Apple is also working on a browser-switching solution that can be an extremely convenient tool for those who want to try new browsers but find letting go of all the saved bookmarks, passwords and site data difficult. The company said, “Apple is also creating a browser switching solution for exporting and importing relevant browser data into another browser on the same device.” This feature will be available by the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.

All of these features are definitely coming for the users living in the Bloc, but it is not certain if other regions where DMA is not applicable will also get them.


Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: Apple, iPhone, DMA, Android
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Vivo T4R 5G to Launch Soon in India; Design Teased
  2. Here's When Apple Could Unveil the iPhone 17 Series
  3. iQOO Z10R With 32-Megapixel Selfie Camera to Launch in India on This Date
  4. Motorola Razr 60 Ultra Review: Flip Phone Perfection?
  5. Grok Will Now Let You Chat With a Goth Anime Girl That Has an NSFW Mode
  6. Realme 15 Pro 5G to Get 50-Megapixel Sony IMX896 Main Rear Camera
  7. WhatsApp Makes it Easier to Chat With Support, Adds AI-Powered Responses
  8. Axiom Space's Ax-4 Crew Returns from ISS Aboard SpaceX Dragon Grace After Record Research Mission
  1. Axiom Space’s Ax-4 Crew Returns from ISS Aboard SpaceX Dragon Grace After Record Research Mission
  2. Crystalline Ice Discovered in Space: New Study Reveals Hidden Order in Cosmic Ice
  3. NASA Deploys High-Tech Aircraft to Support Texas Flood Relief and Recovery Efforts
  4. Massive Boulders Ejected by DART Mission Could Complicate Future Asteroid Deflection
  5. The Map That Leads to You OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch it Online?
  6. Anuraga Karikkim Vellam Streaming Now on SunNXT: Everything To Know About Cast, Plot, and More
  7. CyberPowerPC India Announces Launch of Esports Masterclass Series in Navi Mumbai
  8. iPhone 16 Available at Rs 69,999 in Flipkart's GOAT Sale 2025; Price Discounted on Amazon as Well
  9. Google Pixel Watch 4 Could Use Same Processor as Last Year's Pixel Watch 3
  10. Delhi High Court Orders E-Commerce Platforms to Delist Products Infringing on Reliance, Jio Trademarks
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.