Android Switch App for iOS Users Launched; Google Says Improved Data Transfers Coming to More Phones in 2025

Google says that it will expand its delayed data transfer feature from the Pixel 9 series to more smartphones next year.

Written by David Delima | Updated: 21 November 2024 16:06 IST

Android Switch App for iOS Users Launched; Google Says Improved Data Transfers Coming to More Phones in 2025

Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Vlad Yera

Pixel 9 series owners currently have exclusive access to Google's delayed data transfer feature

Highlights

Google has rebranded its data transfer tool to 'Android Switch'
Cable-based transfers from iOS to Android should be 40 percent faster
Delayed transfers from the Pixel 9 series coming to more phones next year

Google is making it easier for iPhone owners to switch to Android smartphones. The company has rebranded its data transfer tool that helps users on iOS move their information and accounts, and it is now called Android Switch. Meanwhile, Google has also confirmed that a useful delayed data transfer feature introduced on the Pixel 9 series will also make its way to other Android phones in 2025. The company also says that data transfers from iOS to Android when using a cable will now be considerably faster.

Google Rebrands Data Transfer Tool to 'Android Switch'

As part of its efforts to streamline the process of switching from iOS to Android, Google says its Data Restore Tool is now called 'Android Switch'. The listing for the app on the App Store and Google Play store has already been updated with the new name, a refreshed icon, and the description refers to it as "Google's official transfer app".

The redesigned Android Switch app can transfer a user's chats, calendars, contacts, Wi-Fi networks, Google account, and other data from an iPhone to a new Android device. It also shows users how to disable iMessage when switching away from iOS — an essential step that must be completed before a one can begin receiving SMS messages (or RCS messages, in supported regions) from other users.

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According to Google's FAQ page, users will be able to transfer contacts, calendar events, and on-device photos and videos using a cable or the cloud. However, if they want to transfer messages, apps, on-device music, and notes, they will need to transfer their data using a cable.

Google also says that users who use a cable to transfer data from their iPhone to a new Android phone using the Android Switch app will benefit from a 40 percent increase in transfer speeds, which appears to be a considerable jump in performance over the last year. The company didn't share any details on how it managed to improve transfer speeds when using a cable.

When the Pixel 9 series was launched, Google also introduced the ability to quickly complete an initial setup process so users can get faster access to their smartphone, then start the data transfer process at a later stage. While this feature is currently limited to the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Google says it will be available on more Android phones in 2025.

Google Pixel 9

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Flagship build and design
Excellent display
Great cameras
Good battery life
AI features are fun

Bad
Processor is still not great
Heats up
No longer compact

Read detailed Google Pixel 9 review

Display 6.30-inch

Front Camera 10.5-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB

Battery Capacity 4700mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1080x2424 pixels

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Google Pixel 9 Pro

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Premium and solid feel
Top-notch display
Amazing loudspeakers
Decent battery life
Excellent cameras
AI powerhouse

Bad
Expensive
Single RAM and storage model available
Lags behind in raw performance

Read detailed Google Pixel 9 Pro review

Display 6.30-inch

Front Camera 42-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 16GB

Storage 256GB

Battery Capacity 4700mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1280x2856 pixels

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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Premium design
Bright display
Impressive AI features
Quality rear cameras
Long-term software commitment
Video Boost works brilliantly

Bad
Portrait mode needs work
Average battery life
45W charger not available in India

Read detailed Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review

Display 6.80-inch

Front Camera 42-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 16GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB

Battery Capacity 5060mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1344x2992 pixels

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Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Slim and premium IPX8-rated design
Bloatware-free software
7 years of software and security updates
Tons of AI features to fiddle with
Secure face unlock

Bad
A bit heavy even for a foldable
UI stutters randomly
Average cameras
Only 256GB storage variant

Read detailed Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review

Display (Primary) 8.00-inch

Processor Google Tensor G4

Front Camera 10-megapixel + 10-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 10.5-megapixel + 10.8-megapixel

RAM 16GB

Storage 256GB

Battery Capacity 4650mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 2152x2076 pixels

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Further reading: Android Switch, Switch to Android, Android Data Transfer, iOS Data Transfer, Android, Google, iOS, Apple, Pixel

David Delima

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As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via email at DavidD@ndtv.com, on Twitter at @DxDavey, and Mastodon at mstdn.social/@delima. More