Apple and Google announced a collaboration to simplify switching between Android and iPhone devices by developing new features for faster data transfer across platforms. The European Commission described this effort as evidence of the Digital Markets Act delivering benefits to users and developers.
The new OS portability solution enables users to transfer data wirelessly from an iPhone to an Android device or vice versa during device setup. This process supports multiple data types, such as contacts, calendar events, messages, photos, documents, Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and data from third-party apps. Previously, data transfer options on both iOS and Android remained limited, often restricting users to manual methods or incomplete migrations that required significant time and effort.
This initiative builds on the eSIM transfer solution that Apple and Google introduced in October. That earlier feature streamlined the movement of eSIM profiles between iPhones and Android phones, transforming what had been a lengthy and intricate procedure into a more straightforward operation. The eSIM solution launched both within the European Union and in other regions, with support from several European carriers already in place and additional carriers scheduled to adopt it shortly.
Both the OS portability and eSIM solutions stem directly from requirements under the Digital Markets Act. The DMA designates iOS and Android as services obligated to facilitate effective data portability, ensuring users can move their information between ecosystems without undue barriers. Apple detailed its contributions to this project in compliance reports submitted in March 2024 and March 2025, outlining the technical implementations and adherence to the regulation.
Developing these features involved substantial engineering efforts from Apple and Google, alongside ongoing consultations with the European Commission over the past two years. Engineers addressed compatibility challenges across operating systems, integrated wireless transfer protocols, and ensured compatibility with diverse data formats to maintain integrity during migrations. These discussions focused on aligning technical specifications with DMA mandates while preserving security standards for user data.
A European Commission spokesperson stated in a message to 9to5Mac that the collaboration serves as an “example of how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) brings benefits to users and developers.” The Commission emphasized that the tools extend beyond individual users to support third-party app developers. Developers can now more readily retain their user base during platform switches, as the features preserve app-specific data. The Commission noted that third-party app developers “be able to easily retain users when they switch from an iPhone to an Android device and vice versa.”
Although the features will launch globally rather than exclusively in the European Union, their origins trace to DMA compliance. The new switching capabilities appear this week in an Android Canary build targeted at Pixel devices, allowing early access for testing on Google’s hardware lineup. An upcoming iOS 26 developer beta will include the features for iPhone users, though Apple has not released additional specifics on timelines or supported models at this stage.
Public evaluation of the Android and iPhone data transfer tools remains pending, as no widespread testing has occurred. Observers anticipate hands-on assessments once the iOS 26 beta becomes available to developers.
