The update adds a native “Transfer to Android” option within iOS, removing the need for third-party apps and long, error-prone setup processes.

By placing an iPhone next to a compatible Android device, users can initiate a wireless transfer that moves core data including photos, messages, contacts, notes, call history, passwords and selected apps.

The process works over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and can be started either by scanning a QR code on the Android phone or by entering a secure session ID and pairing code.

Not everything makes the jump, as Apple has said health data, Bluetooth pairings and certain protected items such as locked notes remain on the iPhone, reflecting platform-level security limits.

Still, the scope of the transfer is broader and more reliable than previous options, which often relied on separate apps like Google’s Android Switch or Apple’s own Move to iOS.

The change is notable not just for what Apple is shipping, but for how it came together.

Apple and Google have quietly collaborated on a shared migration system, with early versions already appearing in Android Canary builds for Pixel devices.

On Android, a new “Copy data” option mirrors Apple’s approach, suggesting both companies are building toward a common, more consistent handover experience built directly into device setup.

Regulators have played a role too, as the European Commission confirmed last week that the new transfer tools help Apple and Google comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which aims to reduce platform lock-in.

However, Apple has made clear the feature is not limited to Europe and will be available globally.

For years, switching between iPhone and Android has been a friction-filled experience that discouraged users from changing platforms.

By lowering that barrier, Apple is effectively acknowledging that hardware, services and software quality - not data lock-in - should determine customer loyalty.

iOS 26.3 is currently available in beta, with a wider release expected in January 2026.