X

Apple to launch Android app to migrate users to iOS

Announced as part of the iOS 9 preview, Move to iOS will allow users to easily transfer their data from Android to iOS.

Michelle Starr Science editor
Michelle Starr is CNET's science editor, and she hopes to get you as enthralled with the wonders of the universe as she is. When she's not daydreaming about flying through space, she's daydreaming about bats.
Michelle Starr

movetoios.jpg
Apple's upcoming migration app for Android, Move to iOS. Apple

As part of the preview for iOS 9, Apple has announced a smoother path for Android users wishing to make the jump to iOS.

Move to iOS is an Android app that will allow users to migrate their data from Google's Android mobile operating system -- Apple's biggest competitor -- to Apple's operating system, iOS. This will include, according to the brief preview on Apple'swebsite, contacts, photos and even apps that are available on both platforms.

"Just download the Move to iOS app to wirelessly switch from your Android device to your new iOS device," Apple wrote.

"It securely transfers your contacts, message history, camera photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, calendars, wallpaper, and DRM-free songs and books. And it will help you rebuild your app library, too. Any free apps you used -- like Facebook and Twitter -- are suggested for download from the App Store. And your paid apps are added to your iTunes Wish List."

When your data transfer is complete, you can then take your old Android phone to an Apple store for recycling.

The app, which will be released with iOS 9 in Q3 this year, will be one of two that are the first Apple has ever released on the Android platform. The other will be Apple's new music streaming service, Apple Music, competing with Google's music streaming service, Google Play Music, and other services such as Spotify.

Apple WWDC 2015 keynote (photos)

See all photos