Switching between iPhone and Android has always felt like a chore. Anyone who has tried it knows the drill. Your photos live in one corner, your passwords are buried somewhere else, and messages do not always make the jump.
That experience is about to get a major upgrade, and the European Commission wants everyone to know that it played a key role in making it happen.
The EU Says These Upgrades Exist Because of the DMA
According to the European Commission, the improved smartphone switching tools from Apple and Google are not a coincidence. The EC says they are a direct result of the Digital Markets Act, a set of rules designed to keep large tech platforms in check. One of the DMA’s requirements is simple. Users should have real data portability so they are not locked into one operating system.
In a statement to 9to5Mac, a European Comission spokersperson said:
This OS portability solution will allow users to easily transfer data from iPhone to Android and vice versa when they set up a new device. It will support many types of data, including: contacts, calendar events, messages, photos, documents, Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and even data from third-party apps. It will also work wirelessly. These are major upgrades compared to the currently limited data transfer solutions. This solution follows Apple’s and Google’s rollout of the eSIM transfer solution last October. That solution has greatly simplified the transfer of eSIMs between iPhones and Android phones, which was previously a long and complex operation. It has been rolled out both in the EU and outside, and it is already supported by some European carriers, with more to come soon. Both solutions are the direct result of the DMA, which requires designated services (including iOS and Android) to ensure effective data portability. Apple overviewed their work on this project in Apple’s DMA compliance reports from March 2024 and March 2025. These solutions were possible thanks to extensive engineering work and collaboration between Apple and Google, as well as intensive discussions with the Commission for the past two years.
The Commission is openly welcoming the new solution and framing it as a win for consumers and developers. From its perspective, Apple and Google are finally building something the DMA has pushed for. The Commission is even highlighting the collaboration between the two rivals as validation of the law’s impact.
What the New Switching Experience Will Actually Do
The upcoming tools are designed to feel like a natural step during device setup. When you turn on a new iPhone or Android phone, you will get an option to transfer data from the other platform. This will cover a wide range of information including contacts, calendar events, photos, documents, messages, Wi Fi networks, passwords, and supported third party app data.
Everything will work wirelessly, and both companies are aiming for a process that feels smooth instead of technical. If you have ever used patchy transfer apps or manual exports, this is a clear improvement.
eSIM Transfers Were Just the Start
This new data portability push did not appear in isolation. Earlier this year, Apple and Google also created a simplified eSIM transfer process. The EU is connecting the dots and presenting both features as proof that the DMA is already changing how tech giants operate.
The Commission says these changes required extensive engineering work and active discussions with regulators. In other words, the EC is taking credit not only for the idea but also for pushing both companies to sit at the same table and make it a reality.
Global Availability, Even Though the Pressure Came From Europe
One detail that stands out is that these new smartphone switching tools will roll out worldwide. The development was triggered by European regulation, but Apple and Google are not limiting the functionality to Europe. Anyone upgrading to a new device will benefit, regardless of location.
This gives the Commission even more room to claim that the DMA is influencing global standards rather than just regional rules.
Apple Has Its Own View on the DMA
The timing of the Commission’s announcement is interesting. Earlier this year, Apple funded a study arguing that the DMA has not delivered meaningful price benefits for consumers. Apple said the rules have produced a less secure and less private experience for users in Europe. The Commission appears to be pushing back by highlighting data portability and simplified switching as concrete improvements.
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The message is clear. The EC believes the DMA is working as intended, and it is more than happy to position the Apple Google collaboration as exhibit A.
What Users Can Expect Next
Right now, the new cross platform transfer system is in testing. Google has already integrated it into an Android Canary build, and Apple is expected to add it in a future iOS 26 update. Once it lands, switching from iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone should finally feel manageable.
If the Commission gets its way, this is only the start. With the DMA in full effect, the EU expects more features that promote portability, competition, and user choice. For everyday users, that means smartphone switching might not be the headache it used to be.
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