The European Commission has jumped to claim credit for Apple and Google’s recent moves to cooperate in creating tools to make it easier to switch between their platforms, iOS and Android. The EC says the move is a result of the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
As noted by a Redditor (via 9to5Mac), on Monday, Google has released a new Android Canary build (2512) for its Google Pixel smartphones. The build brings platform switching features. Users will eventually find it easier to transfer their data – such as calendars, messages, and contacts – between platforms. Apple is also working on similar transfer features for a future iOS 26 beta, although it hasn’t announced a release date.
The European Commission has claimed credit for the new features for iOS and Android, saying the DMA is why it’s happening. An EC spokeshole told 9to5Mac that these features, as well as the previously implemented eSIM transfer solution, is a “direct result of the DMA.” and an “example of how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) brings benefits to users and developers.”
The European Commission welcomes the cross-OS data portability solution that has been communicated by Apple and Google. This is an example of how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) brings benefits to users and developers.
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.
“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 statement reads.
Apple added support for transferring an eSIM from an iPhone to or from an Android device in iOS 26. While the new feature makes it easier, users still need to work with their provider to port their numbers between platforms.
The EC also claims that the new features benefit third-party app developers, allowing them to “be able to easily retain users when they switch from an iPhone to an Android device and vice versa.”
