Apple denies it's working on a tool to switch from iOS to Android

iOS 9
iOS 9

Update: Apple has flat-out denied that it's working on a tool to move users from iOS to Android.

"There is no truth to this rumor," an Apple spokesperson told BuzzFeed News in a statement. "We are entirely focused on switching users from Android to iPhone, and that is going great."

In recent earnings calls, Apple CEO Tim Cook has touted the number of "switchers" coming from Android to iPhone, so it's no surprise Apple wants to keep helping users leave the Android ecosystem and come to iOS. However, now that the idea is out there, perhaps iOS users will call for a simple migration tool that lets them easily switch over to Android.

Original article below...

Apple may be about to make it a lot simpler to switch from the iPhone to an Android phone.

The rumour is that Apple is building a tool to make it easier to put your contacts, photos and other data onto an Android handset.

It would work in a similar way to the 'Move To iOS' app on the Google Play Store, but obviously the other way around.

An "industry source" has spoken to The Telegraph and claimed Apple will be making the tool after pressure from a selection of European telecom operators.

Bridging the divide

Apparently, with only a limited amount of customers switching over to Android after being integrated in iOS, it means it weakens operator's commercial negotiations with Apple.

Apple is working on the tool at the moment, but there's no confirmation it will ever see the light of day.

It'd be another step away from former CEO Steve Jobs' vision for the iPhone as he believed in locking customers further into the ecosystem and wouldn't want to see customers leaving iOS.

Apple hasn't confirmed the news but the rumour seems to come from a competent source, however we don't expect to see anything come from the company until it's ready to release official news.

James Peckham

James is Managing Editor for Android Police. Previously, he was Senior Phones Editor for TechRadar, and he has covered smartphones and the mobile space for the best part of a decade bringing you news on all the big announcements from top manufacturers making mobile phones and other portable gadgets. James is often testing out and reviewing the latest and greatest mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, virtual reality headsets, fitness trackers and more. He once fell over.