Goodbye iPhone: Google and Apple make it easier to switch to Android in 2026

Google has officially announced a major improvement to the migration process from iOS to Android, which was one of the main announcements of the Android Show I/O Edition 2026 event. For a long time, the transition from iPhone to Android smartphones was accompanied by the loss of most of the information, but now the companies have established closer cooperation to make life easier for users.

What’s new in transferring data from iOS to Android?

Starting with Android 17, the process of switching to a new operating system will become virtually seamless in many ways. Previously, users may have experienced that a significant portion of their data remained locked in the Apple ecosystem. New data exchange protocols make it possible to transmit an expanded list of information that previously required complex manual configuration or third-party software.

Detailed list of transferred data and settings

Updated functionality expands the capabilities of the built-in migration tool. Now users will be able to transfer:

• Accessibility settings
• Alarms and calendar events;
• Applications (free versions with user data);
• Call history and email accounts;
• eSIM (transfer of digital SIM cards between devices);
• Multimedia files: images, videos and other documents;
• Messages and notes;
• Passwords and even desktop wallpaper;
• Whatsapp data;
• Home screen layout (icon arrangement).

Release date and available devices

The official debut of the improved feature is scheduled for July 2026 along with the release of Android 17. Similar to the launch of the Circle to Search feature, the new transfer mechanism will have the status of a timed exclusive for certain brands.

Owners of Google Pixel smartphones and new products from Samsung will be the first to have access to the innovation. The feature is expected to be built into One UI 9, which will debut alongside the flagship foldable smartphones Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Z Fold8 and the new Z Fold8 Wide. Later, other Android device manufacturers will also have the opportunity.

Testing One UI 9.0 and Samsung Smart Switch

Samsung has already launched One UI 9.0 beta testing for the Galaxy S26 series. This means that the updated Smart Switch tool, including all new migration capabilities, may be available to testers ahead of the official release in July. This is an important step to attract audiences who were previously afraid of losing their message history or passwords when switching platforms.

Should we plan for the transition in 2026?

Thanks to the integration of new APIs and the joint efforts of Google and Apple, the technical barrier between iOS and Android is almost disappearing. If earlier transferring WhatsApp or icon layout was a headache, then in Android 17 this process is automated. If you wanted to switch from iPhone to any of the premium Android smartphones, you should wait until the summer of 2026, when the new Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel will be released on Android 17.