I've gone over to Android phones a few times and I always run into issues like this. There will always be someone among friends and family who can only be reached via FaceTime, Apple Messages etc, it's just how it is. So I decided I will never attempt to fully migrate to Android again. It's just not worth all the hassle. Instead if I do get another Android device at this point, I'll just have a separate simcard for it, and keep at least one mobile Apple device alongside it.
I'm currently testing my old iPhone 7 Plus and it actually runs fantastic. My 12 Pro Max has turned out to be too clumsy for me to use as an everyday phone for every task. My ideal setup would be my 7 Plus alongside an 8" OLED Android tablet, but sadly those don't exist right now (the Fold is not an option due to price and the 8" not being widescreen). I'm looking into the iPad Mini but I don't love the screen.
Alas, I digress. Point of my post was that migrating fully to Android is such a pain in the ass that I'll always keep at least one mobile Apple device on its own sim.
Your point is well taken and sadly I think that may be the only solution until I can think of something better. Maybe sell the 13 PM and get the new SE just to use on wifi when I need an Apple device.
Condolences on the passing of your mom. I agree, FaceTime can definitely be an invaluable service. I pretty much keep my iPad just for Facetime use. As for iMessage for sharing media I've pretty much weaned myself off of it. I have created shared albums in Google Photos and Dropbox and upload files I want to share with my family that they can easily access. Anybody who the folders aren't shared with, it is a little more challenging as you have to wait for the file to upload to either service. It really is only an issue with larger videos. But once they upload its just as easy to share. When I'm using my S22 Ultra Samsung has a link share option that works great and I use it from time to time. And as much as I hate Facebook, there is always the option to share through FB Messenger and this actually works pretty great.
Now that it looks like Google and Samsung have decided to take messaging seriously, messaging on Android with RCS actually works pretty dang great. I'm going to work on migrating my family over to Android as they come due for new devices. Parents and one of my kids are already over here with me. Wife and middle school aged daughters are going to be the tougher ones ?
Thank you. I could try creating Google Photos albums (I already subscribe to Google's 100gb plan, kept it alive even though I stopped using Android), so migrating all of my photos and videos will be simple. Still won't solve my inability to access shared iCloud folders and items, but a "burner" iPhone may help with that.
No matter how much progress Google and other companies make re: RCS, it'll never work in conjunction with iOS. That's what infuriates me the most with Apple. I feel held hostage by them because of iMessage, iCloud, and FT. My family is so deeply familiar with and ingrained into the Apple ecosystem, no one will leave.
I just read that Samsung re-arranged how the Link Share app works, looks like it's further buried and / or baked into settings. If I understand correctly, I can record a video, share it by sending a link to a person with an iPhone, they can then download the full quality image and add it to an iCloud shared album? And then I can log into my iCloud account on the Samsung phone via web-based service? Man...AirDrop / iCloud sharing sounds so much better
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***EDIT- is it possible for me to just upload a video / photo I take on an S22+ via web-based iCloud?
I haven't picked up the S22+ yet, it'll be held I think for at least a few days so I have time. I also can try it for 60 days and return it since I have Totaltech with Best Buy.
..might be the first time I'm going to stick to one case from day 1 ..
