Moving to Android - advise needed

[majkom]

Made decision, after so many years with apple, I am moving to Android. My setup has changed so now, I am using mainly my iphone7 as device for everything. Now as I do plan migration, are there any well kniwn issues to be aware of?

I know that I wont find imessage work around (life without imessage will be tough), but it seems as only one app I wont be able to use. Maybe, anither one is find my friend, is there any alternative in android world?

Please, if there are any recent ios to android migrants, please share your story, it will definitely help me as I do plan to leave my comfort zone and start from the scratch here

 

[rugmankc]

good luck on your move

but you may also post on an Android Forum with same question

 

[Closingracer]

I would save your contacts to google. I’ve done that already in the past and have a lot of my stuff saved on Microsoft or Google services so I don’t lose much

 

[majkom]

Yeah sure, there is procedure how to get all contacts and photos to google cloud.

 

[jjohnstonjr]

I was someone who toyed with the Apple to Android move several times only to end up back with Apple. Android does indeed have some things that Apple doesn't with their phone but when it comes to simplicity Apple to me is the overall winner. After having Note's and Galaxy Watches I found that Apple devices suited my lifestyle a lot more. iMessage is key for me. My dad recently passed away and I had to scroll back thru the message thread to collect and save old pics of my dad. I noticed that back in September that when we moved over to Android I couldn't retrieve those pics. There are other benefits to having Apple for me and my mom but to each his own. Good luck on the move and I hope it works well to your liking my man.

 

[Coffee_Time]

I recommend LG V50 5g, S10 5g or xperia 1 with free Sony wh-1000xm3 headphones if you pre-order. Stay away from huawei and oneplus 7. IMO...

 

[majkom]

I do consider buying S10e 128gb - where I live it costs approx as iphone 8 64gb and with offer ending today I can get galaxy buds for free... currently I do have 3 areas I am not sure I can solve:
1. Imessage - lot of friends using ios and imessage is really killer app
2. Adblocker - is there any good for android, I do use 1blocker right now on my iphone
3. Find my friend - we yse this feature a lot on our iphones

 

[pika2000]

I do consider buying S10e 128gb - where I live it costs approx as iphone 8 64gb and with offer ending today I can get galaxy buds for free... currently I do have 3 areas I am not sure I can solve:
1. Imessage - lot of friends using ios and imessage is really killer app
2. Adblocker - is there any good for android, I do use 1blocker right now on my iphone
3. Find my friend - we yse this feature a lot on our iphones

1. There's no way around iMessage. Either you downgrade to regular SMS, or use other universal messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, etc.
2. Instead of trying to find an adblocker, simply use Brave as your browser. It has built in ad blocker.
3. Nothing built in here as well, and I personally wouldn’t trust 3rd party trackers. Google used to have similar feature in Google maps but they removed it, which is ironic since Google tracks the location of all Android phones all the time. The closest thing is to share location within messaging platforms like WhatsApp.

 

[majkom]

Ok thanks, I have to think it through again, these missing maybe too much for me

 

[Coffee_Time]

Ok thanks, I have to think it through again, these missing maybe too much for me

1. Whatsapp.
2. Samsung browser has adblock built in - and adblock plus. You can use YouTube vanced also without ads.
3. Trust Google.

 

[m00min]

I switched from an iPhone to a Samsung Note last year. TBH how easy you find it to move depends on how much you live in Apple's walled garden, for myself I've always been leery of Apple's services and used platform agnostic services anyway.

If you do switch make sure to give yourself enough time to learn your new platform. I kept an old iPhone with my sim in it for a month and got myself a PAYG sim to test the Note for a month. During that month I transitioned my online stuff to that phone, by the end of the month the only things that were being done on the iPhone were calls and WhatsApp, it was basically a dumb phone.

The hardest thing about switching for me was giving up my applewatch, I've switched to a Fossil, it's not quite as refined in its UI but it cost half the price of the applewatch. My spare iPhone has been sitting in my desk drawer for months now. I don't miss it.

 

[pika2000]

Ok thanks, I have to think it through again, these missing maybe too much for me

What’s important is, know what you want and why. No point in buying expensive stuff like a Samsung just because of hype.

I use both iPhone and Android (from multiple brands). Each has their own strengths and issues. Luckily, there are great Android phones for $200-$300 nowadays, so instead of switching, you can enjoy both platforms.

 

[m00min]

I use both iPhone and Android (from multiple brands). Each has their own strengths and issues. Luckily, there are great Android phones for $200-$300 nowadays, so instead of switching, you can enjoy both platforms.

I agree with this, use the best tool for the job. I was very much in the Apple ecosystem until last year. Switching some tools around has only benefitted me And given me a lot more choice. Choice is good.

 

[Cnasty]

The hardest thing about switching for me was giving up my applewatch, I've switched to a Fossil, it's not quite as refined in its UI but it cost half the price of the applewatch.

Which did you get? This is the last missing piece in coming over to OnePlus. I really miss my AW and looking for something that will send me my notifications basically and that's it with a professional, good look.

 

[m00min]

Which did you get? This is the last missing piece in coming over to OnePlus. I really miss my AW and looking for something that will send me my notifications basically and that's it with a professional, good look.

I went with the Fossil Sport. I’ve got the sport stuff switched off though as I’ve always used a Fitbit for tracking sporty stats. All I wanted in a smart watch was wireless payments (specifically Google Pay, rather than Samsung’s offering because it has better support in the UK), notifications, calendar and access to Todoist lists. I leave the Sport on charge overnight, put it on at about 8am and end the day at 11pm with 65% battery remaining. I used to charge my Apple Watch in a similar fashion so it’s been fairly painless to move. It’s a tiny bit slower than my Apple Watch but nothing showstopping.

 

[EasternGangsta]

Made the move as well cuz iPhone got stale. Went with Note 9 and the experience is crazy good. I am from EU so losing iMessages is not a huge deal as everyone here uses whatsapp. I have broken free from the Apple ecosystem save for 1 thing: iBooks. Other services are just trash Amazon books included. I still use Apple Music even on Android. The app is pretty functional so no problems there.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I went with the Fossil Sport. I’ve got the sport stuff switched off though as I’ve always used a Fitbit for tracking sporty stats. All I wanted in a smart watch was wireless payments (specifically Google Pay, rather than Samsung’s offering because it has better support in the UK), notifications, calendar and access to Todoist lists. I leave the Sport on charge overnight, put it on at about 8am and end the day at 11pm with 65% battery remaining. I used to charge my Apple Watch in a similar fashion so it’s been fairly painless to move. It’s a tiny bit slower than my Apple Watch but nothing showstopping.

The only difference between google pay and samsung pay in the UK is what banks its supported by. In terms of which shops you can use them in it’s the same. Anywhere that accepts contactless pay accepts Apple Pay, google pay and Samsung Pay. My bank supports all 3.
[doublepost=1558294280][/doublepost]

Made the move as well cuz iPhone got stale. Went with Note 9 and the experience is crazy good. I am from EU so losing iMessages is not a huge deal as everyone here uses whatsapp. I have broken free from the Apple ecosystem save for 1 thing: iBooks. Other services are just trash Amazon books included. I still use Apple Music even on Android. The app is pretty functional so no problems there.

The one Apple service I’ve never bought into is iBooks. I’ve always used a kindle and amazon books. iBooks can only be used on Apple’s LCD/Oled displays and I prefer eink displays for reading books. I don’t care about iMessage either though. Nobody I know uses it, even other iphone users.

 

[EasternGangsta]

The one Apple service I’ve never bought into is iBooks. I’ve always used a kindle and amazon books. iBooks can only be used on Apple’s LCD/Oled displays and I prefer eink displays for reading books. I don’t care about iMessage either though. Nobody I know uses it, even other iphone users.

I tried to get into Amazon books. The desktop app kept crashing on macos. Syncing felt really slow and akward. And importing books/pdfs and keeping them synced across all my platforms was a nightmare. Also my uploaded stuff was categorized under "Docs" and could not be moved.

Google books was pretty bad experience as well.

Still looking for some cloud syncing, platform agnostic solution that would tick all my boxes but so far no dice.

 

[m00min]

The only difference between google pay and samsung pay in the UK is what banks its supported by. In terms of which shops you can use them in it’s the same. Anywhere that accepts contactless pay accepts Apple Pay, google pay and Samsung Pay. My bank supports all 3.

Yeah, my bank doesn't support Samsung Pay. I didn't want to switch bank accounts just to use a watch to pay for stuff. Apple and Google Pay are covered by the main banks. Samsung Pay has the Co-op and HSBC but since I've already left them in a huff a few years ago going back isn't something I want to do.

 

[Cnasty]

I went with the Fossil Sport. I’ve got the sport stuff switched off though as I’ve always used a Fitbit for tracking sporty stats. All I wanted in a smart watch was wireless payments (specifically Google Pay, rather than Samsung’s offering because it has better support in the UK), notifications, calendar and access to Todoist lists. I leave the Sport on charge overnight, put it on at about 8am and end the day at 11pm with 65% battery remaining. I used to charge my Apple Watch in a similar fashion so it’s been fairly painless to move. It’s a tiny bit slower than my Apple Watch but nothing showstopping.

Thank you for this feedback. I will check sales and see if something comes along on slick deals.

I appreciate it!

 

[Shanghaichica]

Yeah, my bank doesn't support Samsung Pay. I didn't want to switch bank accounts just to use a watch to pay for stuff. Apple and Google Pay are covered by the main banks. Samsung Pay has the Co-op and HSBC but since I've already left them in a huff a few years ago going back isn't something I want to do.

It has nationwide too which is one of my banks.