For those who left IOS, what would get you back?

[elf69]

I personally have been on android from almost when they started.
Cupcake was my first version on a tablet.

Anyway I went to an iphone 6s+ for a bit and well it was amazing not gonna lie!
but things changed at work and had go to android as needed usb host which apple can't do.

Anyway fast forward a few years and work has changed so my contract renewal came up and ended up with the huawei mate 10 pro, upgrade from mate 9.
I wanted try apple again but wanted the new lower cost 6.1" model.
But my contract renew was not in line with this model release.

So maybe next renewal there be a model of apple to get me back.

 

[sracer]

For phones...
Realistically, there is nothing that can bring me back to the iPhone. There is no phone newer than the SE (which was my last iPhone) that appeals to me. No headphone jack, no replaceable battery, no removable storage, questionable build quality, and a price that is too high for what one gets. But that is my opinion based on my experiences and needs.

For iPads...
Having worked to expand how I used iPads over the years, I've concluded that Apple isn't serious at this time on enhancing the iPad to be more suitable as a hybrid device. So I gave my 12.9 iPad Pro to my wife (to replace her Air 2) and bought the 2018 iPad. It is a great device at a great price for doing tablet things.

The things about iOS and the 12.9 Pro that prevented me from doing more of what I wanted are also true with the 2018 iPad. In other words, there is effectively no difference in capabilities between the 2018 and 12.9 Pro for what I need to do.

If Apple were to do something goofy like FaceID, removing the headphone jack, add a notch, etc. then the 2018 iPad would be my last iPad.

Apple could draw me back in (for the iPad side of things) by adding universal, optional support for trackpad/mouse and a system-wide, universally accessible file system. Trackpad support is easy, file system would require a significant overhaul to the structure of iOS.

 

[OdT22]

Mouse or trackpad support, and a normal file system. I’m on my way out (iPad) now, after trying to make it work for years. Finally had enough. Still staying with the phone for now, but would like to see a small pencil supported.

 

[elf69]

Maybe if apple made a desktop dock that say turned the ipad into a workstation?

much like say samsung and hauwei have done.
Plugging in a certain cable the OS changes.

Would that cover it?
then when undocked goes back to tablet mode.

I know it means serious work within IOS to pull this off though so it will probably never happen.

 

[convergent]

The things that would make me consider moving back toward Apple:
- More open ecosystem that coexists better with other products
- A hybrid tablet/laptop with touch and pen support. I don't want to carry two devices when I can have one.
- On the phone, a headphone, fingerprint sensor, and pen support... I like the Note.
- Not a show stopper, but that notch is not attractive and I am annoyed using things that lack symmetry.

 

[eyoungren]

The one thing above all else that would motivate me to stay (haven't left yet but will) would be Apple allowing customization. I have never appreciated being locked into Apple's idea of how things should look and function as well as not allowing additional functionality.

Jailbreaking solved that problem, but during the period I've been on iOS jailbreaking has declined in it's usefulness for me while Android has improved in it's quality.

So, unless Apple changes (very unlikely) I won't be participating in the future.

 

[sracer]

Maybe if apple made a desktop dock that say turned the ipad into a workstation?

much like say samsung and hauwei have done.
Plugging in a certain cable the OS changes.

Would that cover it?
then when undocked goes back to tablet mode.

I know it means serious work within IOS to pull this off though so it will probably never happen.

Yeah, that would do it. Given Apples (glacially incremental) changes to iOS and macOS, I firmly believed that it was the direction they were headed in. And when I saw how small the system board was in the retina Macbook, and how HandOff was being expanded, I thought for certain it would be coming soon.

I am pretty sure now that Apple isn't going to do that anytime soon. Life is too short. I'll continue to pick up quirky devices (like the Android version of the Lenovo Yoga Book) and have fun exploring and experimenting in pushing the limits those devices.

 

[epicrayban]

Apple's hardware has more or less caught up to the competition, finally. Now it's the software. They're not far.

I would say default apps to start, a better keyboard with native gesture capabilities (or properly let us set default keyboards so that they're default always), a better and more organized settings experience, a more consistent security experience, and generally just more freedom and customization to make iOS work for me. Would love to see a rehaul-ed App Store, too. I think the App Store is terribly clunky to use. And probably a few other small things that I can't think of at the moment.

I would say Apple is about one or two years away from seeing me come back. I'm looking forward to the stability fixes coming up this year, too.

 

[kasakka]

I left iOS after iPhone 4 / iOS 7 and have been using Android phones ever since. I do own two iPads (Air 2 and 12.9 Pro 2nd gen). My next phone will most likely be the upcoming iPhone X.

The main reason for this is that Android manufacturers are falling over themselves trying to make bigger and bigger phones whereas I would like something a bit smaller than my current Oneplus 3. It's the absolute biggest size I can handle with my use which is often one-handed when outside. The bigger phones make the screen larger and that pushes controls down and up, making it harder to use. The iPhone X is a perfect physical vs screen size for me.

I feel at this point Apple also does gesture controls better than Google. I use iOS a lot with my iPad and don't have any huge issues with it. While there are a lot of small things that Android does better, I think the operating systems are not too far apart anymore and can do my daily usage without issues.

Apple's App Store is a huge turd of an app but as long as I have to mostly just use it for updates I can live with it.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Apple needs to kill... "Wifi Only" data restrictions. Or give us the option to completely disable it.
....
Notifications are horrible.
.... organization sucks.
.... unless my iPhone or iPad is face down, notifications keep turning the screen on.

Get rid of the the Lightning port and go USB-C. Never had a problem with USB-C yet, original or third party cords. Third party Lightning cords never last long and the original cord is too fragile.
***Apple is rumored to go USB-C on the 2018 iPhone lineup, don't know how strong of a rumor that is, but would be welcomed***

Always On Display has spoiled me on Android, to the point it's become a criteria of any flagship I plan to purchase. Apple seriously needs that.

Setting default apps. Even if very limited, the ability to set some default apps would be a huge improvement in productivity. Don't see a reason why we can't set a default browser, when all the browsers are basically using the same rendering engine. We should be able to set default Mail too, Outlook mail is my favorite on iOS. Map apps should also be selectable for default. I can understand Apple keeping their Camera app default.

Siri still can't play music from Spotify.
Google, Alexa, and Bixby can do that.

 

[mi7chy]

Maybe when I retire and my needs are more basic I'll switch back to iOS, trade my car for a golf cart, etc.

 

[Mobster1983]

I purchased a Surface Pro last week to replace my iPad Air 2. Was planning to wait for this year's iPad Pro, but a new job and certain school classes that require Flash (*rollseyes*) caused me to try out the surface. I am liking it so far, although it is more clunky than iOS. Will probably just take some getting used to. Productivity in my work is much better on the Surface, especially when I have files in several different folder locations and need to attach them to emails or switch back and forth.

I've been an Apple-only guy since 2008. Apple's work the last couple years has been disappointing. Hardware is still good, but the software has become unreliable. The lack of ability (still) to change anything to personalize a device is also annoying, and makes the iPhone and iPad feel boring. Will definitely be considering an Android phone this fall/winter, but we will see.

 

[epicrayban]

Apple needs to kill... "Wifi Only" data restrictions. Or give us the option to completely disable it.
....
Notifications are horrible.
.... organization sucks.
.... unless my iPhone or iPad is face down, notifications keep turning the screen on.

Get rid of the the Lightning port and go USB-C. Never had a problem with USB-C yet, original or third party cords. Third party Lightning cords never last long and the original cord is too fragile.
***Apple is rumored to go USB-C on the 2018 iPhone lineup, don't know how strong of a rumor that is, but would be welcomed***

Always On Display has spoiled me on Android, to the point it's become a criteria of any flagship I plan to purchase. Apple seriously needs that.

Setting default apps. Even if very limited, the ability to set some default apps would be a huge improvement in productivity. Don't see a reason why we can't set a default browser, when all the browsers are basically using the same rendering engine. We should be able to set default Mail too, Outlook mail is my favorite on iOS. Map apps should also be selectable for default. I can understand Apple keeping their Camera app default.

Siri still can't play music from Spotify.
Google, Alexa, and Bixby can do that.

I cannot believe the iPhone doesn't have an always on display either, especially after adopting OLED. It's a fantastic feature.

 

[samplez]

Why would I use an iphone when Samsung offers so much more. Even more so with their Note series. I do have both an android tablet and an ipad so I can download apps exclusive to each os. I highly doubt apple will be able to catch up as they don't really manufacture anything themselves.

 

[Macalicious2011]

The iPhone X Plus will be a huge pull factor for me to switch over.

However I won't buy one if it costs arm and leg and the camera isn't class leading.

 

[pika2000]

I never understand the logic on why one can only use one platform over another.

There’s a period of time where I use Android as my primary driver. This happened when I got the OnePlus One, imo one of the best Android phone during its time in spec, design, and especially price. However, I went back to iOS as my primary phone because of built-in encryption. During this time, most Android phones were 32bit and/or ultra slow when you enable the device encryption. It's not until Nougat and more OEMs use 64bit Android and SoC that encryption becomes alright.

I still use Android due to dual SIM devices and many apps in some countries are only available on Android due to its marketshare. I am looking forward to the upcoming dual SIM iPhone though. Will definitely helps reduce the amount of devices I have to carry all the time.

 

[Oohara]

Text input as good as Android. Yeah there are 3d party keyboards now but they never work as well as on Android. Gboard keeps getting lagged down and there are never as many useful options as on the Android versions.

Siri needs to get as good as Google Assistant. I'm not a native English speaker but I'm completely fluent and have good pronunciation after living in the US, but Siri continues to mishear me in ever more ridiculous ways. Whereas Google Assistant never misses a word.

As LIVEFRMNYC says above, the Wifi Only restriction needs to be optional. This is a huge frustration as I have a massive data plan. Let me decide what I use it for.

More customisation for Control Center and the home screen. Let me have quick access to the toggles I actually use. For example I toggle roaming and hot spot all the time, why can't I just put those in Control Center and the 3D touch menu for the Settings icon? Nope, have to dig into the settings menus just to flick a switch.

Widgets on the home screen, and improved widgets in general. I'm still not finding a good flow with the Today view, it just doesn't feel natural to go there to use widgets. And when I do, they're never as good as Android widgets.
Someone posted a privately made concept vid on YouTube of how iOS widgets on the home screen could work, years ago, it looked awesome and completely in line with iOS design. Just let an app icon be dragged out to create a widget covering the space of several app icons in a rectangle. That could give me a quick & interactive look at my schedule, shopping list, Notes, recent phone calls etc etc. It just seems like a no brainer. But nope, the iOS home screen is never allowed to evolve and seemingly will look the same until the end of time.

Notifications continue to feel too bloated and backwards to interact with.

What really irks me is that all this stuff seems so easy to change for a company like Apple, but they just continue to stubbornly restrict versatility instead of letting the user feel in control of their UX. I like my iPhone in many ways but this frustration just keeps nudging me towards getting an Android phone instead.

Just yesterday I was helping my girlfriend set up her Mate 10 Lite (wow the value for only €250!!) and again I found myself having so much fun setting up a really slick user flow on a smartphone. If only I could get that satisfaction from my iPhone.

Edit: Oops misread the thread title sorry. I do currently use a iPhone, but you can put me down for one-who-is-about-to-leave-iOS, for the reasons above.

 

[torana355]

To get me back to an iPhone Apple would need to give me some home screen customisation (I'm sorry but I can't believe ios still has no app drawer) and the ecosystem would need to be more compatible with other brands.

 

[elf69]

@Oohara I recently upgraded to the mate 10 pro and it is awesome phone!
But The mate 9 has more weight to it and feels better in the hand. Also mate 9 battery last longer than mate 10 pro.
Unknown about lite as not seem be available here.

With each upgrade of my android phone it harder for me to swap back to IOS.

horses for courses, and we each like what we like.
not hating on IOS or anything as use an ipad (10.5 Pro) and ipod (4th gen) at home.

 

[breezeblocks]

For me it's probably the camera, having owned an iPhone X alongside my pixel 2, for me there really is no comparison. Google's HDR+ thingy just does amazing things, I love how on the portrait mode you can just tap to focus and 9/10 it works perfectly.

Notifications - love the icons in the status bar on android, would like to see Apple add perhaps a red dot in the status bar, similar to Apple watch, when you have unread notifications.

Always on display - someone else has mentioned it, having never had it before on my iPhones I love it! Great to be able to glance at my phone rather than constantly lifting and/or tapping it!

I've been pretty much all Apple for the last 9 years or so but pixel 2 just does so many things right I can't see me going back anytime soon.

 

[Tig Bitties]

I'm a big stock Android nerd, owning almost all the Nexus phones, currently on a Pixel 2 XL. For me to go back to an iPhone, I would want the top 10 most popular JB tweaks baked into stock iOS, and those tweaks aren't just cute icon packs, some are very useful, like the Phone one, where it changes it to be banner like notification when an incoming call comes in, instead of like now, when your in the middle of a text or reading a web page, a new phone call takes up the entire screen, forcing you out of your text or whatever. That's just insanity that Apple hasn't changed this yet, like come on guys wake up.

Moving icons anywhere I feel like it on the homescreen, not being forced to have them all bunched up in a row starting at the top. WTF Apple ? On larger Plus iPhone's it's nice to have the apps towards the bottom of the screen if I prefer, for easier reach. Let the user decide where they want their app icons placed.

Let me chose default apps, and not be forced to only have Apple apps be default.

Just some sort of customization, like a Dark Mode.

Always on Display, it's nice to glance at the phone walking by your table, and see if there's been a missed call or text, if not I won't pick it up, if there is, then I can see it, and reply. With an iPhone it looks like the phone is off, you have no idea if the phone is even on or not, until you actually pick it up and activate the screen on.

Notifications seems to be better in iOS12, but still needs more major overhauling


If Apple did most of the above, I'd ditch Android and get an iPhone again, but it might be years for these changes to happen.

 

[elf69]

I do not have always on screen but my android phone has a multi colour led which tells me a text/call/email has been received.

the colour tells me which type of notification it is.
although it only tells me the last incoming notification not all of them.

 

[nfl46]

I cannot believe the iPhone doesn't have an always on display either, especially after adopting OLED. It's a fantastic feature.

They have only had OLED for one year in the iPhone, and still don't have it in the iPad. I believe it will eventually come. iOS 13 is going to be a complete UI update, so next year is promising for the software side of things.

 

[sunking101]

I never understand the logic on why one can only use one platform over another.

There’s a period of time where I use Android as my primary driver. This happened when I got the OnePlus One, imo one of the best Android phone during its time in spec, design, and especially price. However, I went back to iOS as my primary phone because of built-in encryption. During this time, most Android phones were 32bit and/or ultra slow when you enable the device encryption. It's not until Nougat and more OEMs use 64bit Android and SoC that encryption becomes alright.

I still use Android due to dual SIM devices and many apps in some countries are only available on Android due to its marketshare. I am looking forward to the upcoming dual SIM iPhone though. Will definitely helps reduce the amount of devices I have to carry all the time.

All that stopped me moving to Android originally were my paid for apps. I had expensive dictionaries and sat nav etc but I eventually bit the bullet and swapped platforms. Now I own all those apps on both platforms so I can move freely between them. If Apple make a 'wow' phone again then I might get it.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I cannot believe the iPhone doesn't have an always on display either, especially after adopting OLED. It's a fantastic feature.

I’m sure it will come eventually. It will be a revolutionary feature in a few years.