What you need to know
- Paul Dunlop, Google’s product lead for Android Onboarding and Android Settings, discussed major upgrades to Android 17’s tool for switching from iPhone.
- The Android Switch tool now supports “more data than ever,” capable of capturing an iPhone’s messages (group chats included), files, passwords, passkeys, and more.
- Dunlop states this is rolling out for a “small percentage of Android 17 devices” today (June 17).
- Android 17 debuted a day ago, bringing strong security and threat detection software and several new features.
Google is coming off the back of Android 17’s launch, and now the company is talking about a feature that’s headed to the software today (June 17).
Early this morning, Paul Dunlop, Google’s product lead for Android Onboarding and Android Settings, posted on Threads about the upgraded version of “Android Switch” (via 9to5Google). As Dunlop states, this update to Android Switch rebuilds it “from the ground up,” putting a new spin on the iOS to Android tool. Out of the gate, Dunlop says this tool is completely wireless. Users can transfer data from their iPhone to a new Android over WiFi; however, if you’d prefer to use a wire, you still can.
What’s more, their post states Android Switch now supports “more data than ever” when transferring. Google has improved the types of data it already supports, but Dunlops adds, “Out of the box, you can now seamlessly migrate passwords, passkeys, WiFi credentials, and your alarms.” Users can even transfer all of their text messages (group chats, too) from their iPhone. This reportedly includes SMS, MMS, and RCS chats from iMessage.
Other data includes files/folders, calendar attachments, and call history.
To keep the experience from feeling too jarring or tedious, Dunlop says Android Switch in OS 17 transfers your iPhone’s home screen. Your app layouts, wallpapers, and more will be automatically applied to your Android. What’s more, Google is even taking “key accessibility settings” from your old phone to your new one.
Make the switch
Android 17’s upgraded switch experience will transfer an iPhone’s Google account and the device’s eSIM “during initial setup.” While this might seem enticing to users, Dunlop says the rollout will remain cautious for now. Android Switch’s update is rolling out today (June 17) for a “small percentage of Android 17 devices,” which likely only concerns Pixel phones for now.
June 16 was huge for Google, as the company announced Android 17 was finally here. The latest OS started rolling out on Pixel 6 and newer phones. Some of the update’s hallmarks are its upgraded security and threat detection, as well as a strong “Mark as Lost” mode. Joining Android 17 in the limelight was the June Pixel Drop, which brings a whole bunch of new features to Google’s series.
Screen reactions are the newest way to react to content online. Google says this will merge your selfie camera with a screen recording, simulating a green screen. “Bubbles” is a new way to multitask in Android 17 for Pixels. Users can quickly swap between their apps in a floating menu on their homescreen. Additionally, Pixel Folds are receiving a “Bubble Bar” that plays off this feature from regular slab phones.
Android Central’s Take
There’s always competition in the phone space, and having a tool that makes switching easy? That’s a smart move. Android Switch isn’t a new feature, as Paul Dunlop said. It’s always been there for iPhone users looking to switch. This even works for Android to Android. What’s new are these upgrades to make it even easier and painless. No one wants to do extra work swapping devices. It’s already a daunting experience. Maybe this will make it more attractive to swap over.