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Former iPhone users, if i switch what will i be missing?
- Thread starter WRXHokie
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Yes, but mostly no. You can send and receive iMessages using your phone number, iCloud email address, or Me email address. If you switch to Android then you need to turn off iMessage for your phone number so that you receive standard SMS messages when an iPhone texts you. That means for an iPhone user to send you an iMessage they would have to know to direct the message to your iCloud or Me account, and not your phone number.
The OP could send messages to everyone from their iPad to start new threads so that people could respond there as iMessages, but then you’re back to the problem of only receiving some messages on one device (iMessages on iPad) and other messages on another device (SMS and MMS on phone) and that seems extremely clunky.
I have a shortcut on my iPad Pro that opens the google Messages web page when I click the icon on my dock. I know my iPad won’t give me notifications but if my Galaxy Watch is near my phone then I’ll know I got a message and respond from my iPad.
I've been on Android for just most of this year after being a hardcore iPhone user since the original iPhone.
Here is a list of the things I "miss" the most:
So those are my reasons for switching, but they are very personal ones and probably don't apply to a lot of others. Switching is an expensive endeavor. Good luck in your decision.
Here is a list of the things I "miss" the most:
- Favorites. It is a little thing, but I liked being able to create a list of favorite contacts.
- Face ID. Worked so well. Fingerprint works fine, but I definitely hope Samsung can improve facial recognition to the point where it reaches the security level of iPhone.
- AirDrop. There are alternatives, but AirDrop is still superior to me especially considering the rest of my family uses iPhone.
- Simplicity. A lot of things just work easier on iPhone. You'll get used to some extra steps on Android that you didn't have to perform on iPhone. Like taking an image off the internet and making it your background or home screen. I was surprised how much more effort that took.
- Superior versions of apps. A lot of Android apps just seem buggy or not fully done compare to their iPhone counterparts.
- I like my Samsung Galaxy Watch3, but my Apple Watch 5 was better. Samsung is starting to catch up though.
So those are my reasons for switching, but they are very personal ones and probably don't apply to a lot of others. Switching is an expensive endeavor. Good luck in your decision.
This is true. Many seems to simplify switching as just getting a different phone. In reality, it's more than that. One has to rebuy some accessories, or even some apps for the different platform. Let alone the rest of the "ecosystem", including PC (like you mentioned) etc.
Funny how people here come up with iMessage as a reason. It only matters if you have a 100% iPhone social circle. But most people don't. There are always Android people. I think most people don't want to think about who uses iPhones and who does not while doing sth as basic as messaging.
That's how I end up using Whatsapp for almost all my contacts. With my girlfriend I often use iMessage as we both have Macs, iPhones, Apple watches, so it's a bit more comfortable.
That's how I end up using Whatsapp for almost all my contacts. With my girlfriend I often use iMessage as we both have Macs, iPhones, Apple watches, so it's a bit more comfortable.
I agree with you but you would be surprised! There have been posters on here saying they or their kids have almost been socially ostracised after send their iMessage using “friends” a whatsapp message. Imagine being afraid or reluctant to change phone platforms because of that nonsense.
Location seems to make iMessage more of an issue. I’m in the uk and all of my contacts use WhatsApp. It send iMessage matters more in the US. It’s great using WhatsApp instead as you can switch platforms without issue
Yes, here in Finland I use WhatsApp on my Samsung, my wife uses WhatsApp on her iPhone and her kids in the U.K. use WhatsApp on their iPhones. We all communicate happily, no problems, no looking for certain coloured bubbles.
If you only use the phone then it is just a phone change. If you sit deep in the ecosystem it may require a lifestyle change.
I think the iPad is cool, but in my case - completely unnecessary, it was just an expensive whim, so I get rid of it.
Tomorrow I will pick up the ordered Android phone - if I like it, I will not have to stay with the iPhone. But neither the watch nor the computer holds me.
I think the iPad is cool, but in my case - completely unnecessary, it was just an expensive whim, so I get rid of it.
Tomorrow I will pick up the ordered Android phone - if I like it, I will not have to stay with the iPhone. But neither the watch nor the computer holds me.
I think at that point it's time to get new friends.....
It's true that it is very country specific. A lot of my American, Canadian, Australian friends use Apple products and they say most people there have Apple products. I think in Central/Western Europe it's considerably lower, so WhatsApp is much more used.
Also, many Asians (and also Northern Europeans) use Facebook Messanger a lot, while it is not a thing in Germany or the US at all to my observation.
iMessage is great for that reason for working with other devices like iPad and the Apple Watch. It’s the main reason why i have missed iMessage in fairness. I use my iPad the most i would say through the week and it’s good to be able to reply on the iPad or know you have texts on the watch.
HelpCenter – MessengerPeople HelpCenter
www.messengerpeople.com
Some interesting statistics on messanging-provider usages around the world.
Well, to elaborate on what @jdlindsey7 explained... they was wrong about having to start a new thread.
I currently use my iPP for iMessage, that’s pretty much my primary way to communicate with my family... since they use iPhones. But I absolutely enjoy using an Android phone. However, if the contact has your email and number saved in their phone. That helps to keep the same thread.
Although, my girlfriend doesn’t like “green“ bubbles... we are able to continue a thread even if I message her on my iPP with iMessage or use standard text message on an Android phone.
When you message from your iPad it should show up as an iMessage. If she responds to that it should return to the iPad only. If you send a SMS from your phone it should return to your phone only. How are you able to keep it all it one thread?
On her end, it's all one thread. That's the struggle with using iMessage on the iPad and text message on Android. But I have to initiate the conversation on my end. If I message her on my iPad... she will then return an iMessage as well.
If I'm out in public.. and I rather text her, it will go to the same thread (on her end). However, I do remember when Apple separated the thread with a iMessage one and a text message one. But, supposedly, that's fixed? But who knows, some people might prefer having different threads. I know she didn't like seeing two different threads.
If they click on the old thread and try to send to you, you will not get the message. And most people have a habit of doing such. I personal just tell them to delete the whole thread.
I'm not sure what you mean by old thread. But as soon as I text her, she does have to close the messaging app... I suppose that helps to reset the thread. She's then able to return with a text message. I would prefer her to keep the same thread, it helps for referencing.
I've been doing it for several months, it works.
I just discovered this channel on YT. TechMe0ut. She explains in a very straightforward and pleasantly conversational way some of the nuances of making the switch.
Google's Pixel line gets guaranteed 3 years of OS updates and 36 months of security updates, like clockwork. Samsung has been on the 3 year support for a bit now. Even OnePlus promises 3 years.
Yeah Apple gives you 5 years which is great, but I've never owned a phone for anywhere near that long.
I'm not sure if Apple updates for old phones are actually something positive or just remote euthanasia (I remember my iPhone 5S). I just have doubts.
There were also such disastrous versions of the system (iOS 11) that it's better not to get such an update.
I will also mention individual errors or bad (in my opinion) solutions, e.g. they took me to turn off wi-fi from the control center. A billion emojis and animoji will not compensate me for this, because I do not use them.
On the other hand, I am testing an Android phone right now and after the first hour I was determined to send it back. Everything seemed completely unintuitive to me, no automatic dark mode. The suggested weather app shows ads ....
I was very happy to be able to drag my .wav files from my CD collection to my phone without the absurd iTunes application, without bothering to convert to another format and without all the amazing ... It just works.
However, I still sit on the fence, because I don't keep convenience and habit with the iPhone, and Android requires a bit of work and patience from me.
There were also such disastrous versions of the system (iOS 11) that it's better not to get such an update.
I will also mention individual errors or bad (in my opinion) solutions, e.g. they took me to turn off wi-fi from the control center. A billion emojis and animoji will not compensate me for this, because I do not use them.
On the other hand, I am testing an Android phone right now and after the first hour I was determined to send it back. Everything seemed completely unintuitive to me, no automatic dark mode. The suggested weather app shows ads ....
I was very happy to be able to drag my .wav files from my CD collection to my phone without the absurd iTunes application, without bothering to convert to another format and without all the amazing ... It just works.
However, I still sit on the fence, because I don't keep convenience and habit with the iPhone, and Android requires a bit of work and patience from me.
I was quite nervous switching to Android. But in the end I didn't miss anything at all. And I got pretty much all I was missing on the iPhone. Namely:
A file browser
RFID reading for your own tags
Wireless charging (not available then)
I didn't find iOS intuitive at all, even changing to a custom ringtone was quite difficult. And the system went slower, slower and slower over time (well, I guess that applies to all people that keep their phone 3+ years)
No way I would move back to iOS, however I would love to play around with the iPhone 12 Pro camera. What I saw so far is amazing!
A file browser
RFID reading for your own tags
Wireless charging (not available then)
I didn't find iOS intuitive at all, even changing to a custom ringtone was quite difficult. And the system went slower, slower and slower over time (well, I guess that applies to all people that keep their phone 3+ years)
No way I would move back to iOS, however I would love to play around with the iPhone 12 Pro camera. What I saw so far is amazing!
The more memory usually in android is something you can usually see once you switch over.
Android browses the internet like my PC, IOS is cleary showing a little lag (11 pro max) and it stutters a bit. You can tell the processor is great but not enough memory when browsing.
If you browse Macrumors on mobile in the desktop browser on IOS you gonna see it immediately.
You'll have real multitasking... IOS has none.
IOS is great for family and friends and apps.
Much cheaper accessories, cheaper and faster wireless charging too
Android browses the internet like my PC, IOS is cleary showing a little lag (11 pro max) and it stutters a bit. You can tell the processor is great but not enough memory when browsing.
If you browse Macrumors on mobile in the desktop browser on IOS you gonna see it immediately.
You'll have real multitasking... IOS has none.
IOS is great for family and friends and apps.
Much cheaper accessories, cheaper and faster wireless charging too