Apple may launch new app that will allow iOS users to move to Android

Rumours suggest that Apple may be developing an application to facilitate the transfer of iOS data from iPhones to an Android device. Some analysts perceive the move as negative for the brand.

The technology giant has been under pressure from network providers, and rivals having accused the company of limiting competition by making it hard for iOS users to leave the Apple ecosystem. Hence, it is being said the decision to make the new app has been taken under compulsion and was not a personal choice by Apple.

According to The Telegraph, "Apple has privately agreed to develop a simple tool to help consumers shift data such as contacts, music and photos if they move to Android." The Cupertino-headquartered company has been accused by mobile operators of creating a monopolistic environment by compelling users to stay on iOS in the absence of mechanisms that can help transition to Android.

In 2013, the European Commission had started an investigation over the company's terms with mobile operators, but investigations revealed nothing against Apple. In September 2015 the iPhone maker had launched an app, Move To iOS that enabled Android users to quickly transfer documents, photos, contacts and other personal data to a new iPhone. The move, many believe was an unfair strategy as users could transition to iOS, but could not exit it without losing crucial data.

Apple's app did not strike a chord with Android loyalists as it did not have considerable downloads. Thousands of users gave a single star rating to the app.

However, analysts said that iPhone sales will not be hurt even if users were allowed to seamlessly transit to Android OS. There are no official figures of how many Android users switch to iOS every year, but a report released by Apple stated that almost 30% of their iPhone buyers in the fourth quarter of 2015 were previous Android users.