According to a new compliance document published by Apple, the company is said to be working on a more user-friendly way of allowing the transfer of data “from an iPhone to a non-Apple phone” in the EU by the fall of 2025.
The document outlines all the ways Apple will be complying with the European Union’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA) that came into effect this week. This will make it easier for iPhone users within the bloc to switch to an Android phone.
Apple is Developing a “Solution” For Transfering Data Between iPhone and Android Within the EU
Switching from an iPhone to an Android has always been a daunting task, as transferring data between the two devices typically takes a significant amount of time. This is all set to change once the DMA is enacted.
Other user-facing changes include a browser-switching solution that will allow the transfer of data between two browsers on the same device, the ability to run browser engines other than Apple’s WebKit, and installation of third-party app stores on the iPhone.
As per the compliance document, the data transfer feature coming to European iPhones will be a “solution” that helps mobile operating system providers develop more user-friendly ways to transfer data from an iPhone to another device. Apple noted that it will build on existing migration tools that are already on offer by third parties.
Google already has an iOS app called “Switch to Android” that is used for transferring data, such as contacts, photos and videos, apps, text messages, and notes, from an iPhone to an Android device.
However, the app does not allow the transfer of certain data, including paid apps, bookmarks on Apple’s Safari browser, alarms, and other miscellaneous files.
From what Apple has mentioned in the document, the new “solution” for data transfer is set to clear existing blocks.
European iPhone Users Can Uninstall Safari Browser and Also Choose Their Prefered Navigation Service
By the end of 2024, iPhone users in the EU will be able to uninstall its built-in Safari browser. They will have the freedom to choose alternate browsers if they prefer.
Additionally, the DMA guidelines also allow users to set their preferred navigation service as the default navigation app on the iPhone, instead of being restricted to using the default option provided by Apple.
iPhones That Leave The EU for Over 30 Days Lose the Ability to Install or Update Third-party Apps
Shortly after the EU’s Digital Markets Act went live on Wednesday, March 6th, Apple made a policy update on its support page stating that users would lose access to certain features when they leave the EU for “short-term travel”.
Apple says European iPhone users will continue to be able to use alternative app marketplaces to manage applications already installed on their devices even while traveling outside the continent for a long period.
However, the caveat here is that they will need to come back to the EU to get the latest version of the apps or install new ones.
The company has specified a 30-day grace period, after which it will consider the iPhone to be an international variant. It is only within the EU that Apple allows users to install apps through third-party marketplaces or transfer data to other smartphones. The updated policy could be inconvenient for frequent travelers.
EU iPhone Users Can Install Third-Party Apps Starting With iOS17.4
Apple says that European iPhone users will be able to install alternative app stores and apps offered through those platforms on devices running the upcoming iOS 17.4 or later.
However, they will need to set the country or region of their Apple ID to one of the countries within the bloc and must be physically located in the EU to use those applications.
Several developers are already preparing to launch third-party app stores for the iPhone, including German IT service provider Mobivention and the Setapp store by Ukrainian software company MacPaw. These are a few of the developers who were granted Apple’s developer license in Europe.
Related News: Chatgpt Introduces ‘Read Aloud’ Feature That Can Read Answers Out Loud
