The End of Ecosystem Lock-In? Android's New Switch Experience

Switching between mobile operating systems has historically been a headache, often requiring a chaotic mix of cloud backups, third-party apps, and a lot of patience. However, a major shift is underway.

As shared by Paul Dunlop on X, Product Lead for Onboarding, Settings and Switching on Android. A massive overhaul to the cross-platform migration process is officially rolling out.

 Here is the breakdown of what this new update brings to the table:

I’m so excited for today, launching our new version of Android Switch. It’s a ground-up new iOS to Android switching experience for Android 17, rolling out today. It’s the fastest and most comprehensive cross-platform migration we’ve ever built.

This new experience is wireless-first. No more rummaging around for a magic USB-to-Lightning cable or relying on dongles. We still fully support wired transfers, but there is zero compromise when migrating your data over just WiFi. It is native to the core. The new Android Switch doesn't require downloading standalone apps or granting complex permissions. It’s built directly into the core of both Android and iOS, making the entire setup friction-free.

We are also moving more data than ever. Even for the data types we already supported, we’ve made improvements across the board. Out of the box, you can now seamlessly migrate passwords, passkeys, WiFi credentials, and your alarms. Thanks to new App Data APIs, we’ve worked closely with Apple to develop new APIs for developers. Now, any app can integrate cross-platform migration. If the developer enables it, your apps aren't just reinstalled—your in-app data persists securely.

We are also seeing a complete messages migration. SMS, MMS, RCS, and iMessage conversations all come across—including large family group chats, reactions, stickers, and threads. And thanks to RCS, chatting with your iOS contacts stays seamless even after you switch. You will feel at home instantly. Your wallpapers, home screen layouts, and app placements are brought over in just a few taps. We also automatically configure key accessibility settings so your new Android phone is ready to use exactly how you need it.

Because the details matter, we’ve expanded support to cover the specific data you rely on daily, including files and folders, calendar attachments, call history, encrypted RCS messages, and Apple Notes attachments & labels. There is also an effortless Google Sign-in. For the first time, you can migrate your Google Account directly from your iPhone to your new Android device. We automatically move it across and log you in—saving you the hassle of remembering or typing passwords.

Furthermore, we have seamless eSIM Transfer. If you use an eSIM on your iPhone, we bring it across during initial setup. Your device is ready to make calls and use RCS the moment setup finishes. No manual steps. We’re actively working to expand this support to more carriers globally.

 I’m incredibly proud of the team for making this a reality. The rollout is starting today across a small % of Android 17 devices, but that’ll expand over the coming weeks and months. If you get a chance to try the new experience, let us know what you think!

This is honestly incredibly pro-consumer. For years, ecosystem lock-in has been the primary invisible wall keeping people from trying new devices. When the friction of switching is this low, it completely changes the game.

Instead of trapping users via software ecosystem hostage-taking, Apple and Google are finally being forced to compete strictly on hardware, build quality, and true feature innovation. If your data moves flawlessly with zero friction, the choice comes down to which phone is actually better—not which ecosystem you're already trapped in.