Apple’s ‘move to iOS’ app is taking a beating from Android users

Apple recently launched its first app for Android and it’s not iTunes. It’s ‘move to iOS’, an app that assists Android users in migrating all of their data from Google to Apple.

One can give Google a pat on back for allowing such an app on its Play Store. I very much doubt Apple would allow a ‘move to Android’ app in its App Store. But it’s not Google who may end up regretting the app; it’s Apple. Android users are bombarding the app with one-star reviews, criticizing the app for different reasons. So far there are over 7,249 reviews on the app and most of them are really, ahem, interesting to read.

For example, some folks are bashing Apple for not following Android’s design guidelines:

Why is there not an option to give -ve stars! They could have at least followed the Android design patterns. I hope this app gets kicked out of the Play Store soon. #HatedIt

While others are surprised that Apple isn’t charging for the app:

Do not install! Unless you want a lobotomy. Seriously? You think people want to move to a restricted ecosystem that won’t even allow you to try apps before you buy?? Google why did you allow them to put this app here? Oh that’s right you promote innovation and don’t charge for it or place restrictions on it..actually – I am surprised Apple isn’t charging $20 for the app.

Another one commented on their Android app looking like an iOS app:

Really?? First of all, why in the whole world, would I migrate from Android to iOS?!? I don’t see any reason at all! Second of all, seriously?! An Android app looking like a iOS?? IMHO, Apple should have showed some respect and followed android material design! How does Google allow such kind of thing? Come on!!!

Another user who had a dual SIM phone commented:

Stay Away from this app unless you are ready to live rest of your life without one kidney. I installed it on my new Xperia M4 Aqua dual and it suggested me to buy two iphone6 plus since i’ve been using dual sim handset. Not worth it.

And another one:

Apple hit a new low Apple’s first contribution to Android and this is what they offer? Ridiculous. Google has dozens of apps in the Apple App Store, none of which attempt to move users away from Apple and into Android. This is like Walmart installing a kiosk inside Target that would replace a Target gift card with a Walmart gift card. Such practice is not acceptable. Apple has hit a new low.

You can read more such reviews on the Play Store.

Let me confess: I use both iOS and Android (along with Mac OS X, Chrome OS and my loyal Linux boxes). The only OS that I don’t use is Windows, though I do run a Windows machine in a VM just for the sake of testing, once in awhile. It’s not just my job as a tech journalist that requires me to keep an eye on the latest technologies; I love new technologies so I try to use them all.

Personally, I like heterogenous environments. I pick the right tools — platform, applications and services — for the job. What one should be extremely careful about is data; as long as the data is stored in a standard, interoperable, vendor-neutral format, the rest shouldn’t matter.

So when it comes to services, Google’s ecosystem is somewhat more open: it allows easy migration of data, thanks to its Data Liberation Front.

Accessibility is also important. I can freely use Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Photos and Google Maps on any given platform, including Linux. This is not the case with Apple services. Yes, you can access your iCloud data through a browser, but you can’t work on your iCloud files on Android.

The fact is, I, and probably most Android users, would lose more than I would gain by moving to iOS. It doesn’t make any sense for me to move data to the Apple ecosystem and put a vendor lock around it.

As an iOS user, I do wish Apple offered their apps and services to those Apple users who happen to use Android. But, I think, that’s not the market Apple is interested in. If Apple was really interested in Android, then instead of publishing ‘move to iOS’, they would have ported apps like iTunes, Apple Music, Apple Movies, iBooks and iCloud.

As it is, the only Android app Apple is interested in is the one that sells iPhones. That’s why the only Apple app you would ever see on Android would be ‘move to iOS’.