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Apple intends to enable EU-based iPhone users to uninstall its native Safari browser by the close of 2024 and is developing a more "user-friendly" method for transferring data "from an iPhone to a non-Apple phone" by fall 2025, as revealed in a recent compliance document released by the company. This document outlines Apple's adherence to the European Union's Digital Markets Act, which takes effect this week.
Additionally, Apple's document outlines other user-oriented initiatives, such as a "browser switching solution" to facilitate data transfer between browsers on the same device, slated for availability by late 2024 or early 2025. By March 2025, users in the EU will also have the capability to modify the default navigation app on iOS.
While the document does not explicitly specify if these features will have global availability or if they are exclusive to EU users, many of Apple's previously announced DMA compliance plans, such as running alternative browser engines and installing third-party app stores, are limited to the EU.
Describing the phone data transfer feature as "a solution that helps mobile operating system providers develop more user-friendly solutions to transfer data from an iPhone to a non-Apple phone," Apple's document indicates that the feature will enhance existing migration tools provided by other companies.
Google already offers the "Switch to Android" iOS app for data transfer, covering contacts, photos, videos, free apps, texts, and notes. However, Google's support documentation outlines certain data types that may not transfer, including paid apps, Safari bookmarks, alarms, and miscellaneous files. Presumably, Apple's forthcoming solution aims to address some of these limitations.
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| Apple's document outlines other user-oriented initiatives, such as a "browser switching solution" to facilitate data transfer between browsers on the same device |