Switching from Android to iPhone? Here Are 11 Android Features You’ll Miss
There is a never-ending debate between Android vs. iPhone. Although their flagship smartphones have become quite closer in terms of battery life, power-efficient chipsets, and enhanced features, there are still many differences between them.
Android users who switch to iPhones immediately notice many features missing on their iPhones that were available on their Android phones. Some users even regret switching to the iPhone. However, it is not that Apple or iOS developers are not aware of those gaps; some features are intentionally not included.
So, if you are planning to switch from Android to iPhone, it is important to know what major Android features you won’t see on your iPhone. Below, we have listed out those features in detail:
1. Fingerprint and Pattern Locks
In Android, you get multiple ways to lock and unlock your smartphone. You can use fingerprint, face, numerical, or pattern lock. In contrast, the iPhone only supports face ID and numerical lock.
Image source: Bath.ac.uk
Although Android looks to dominate here, the iPhone seems to reduce the chances of security threats here. It is because it is much easier to look at and memorize the pattern lock compared to the numerical lock, especially if the numerical lock is of 6 digits. Secondly, the iPhone does not support a fingerprint lock now because it has developed Face ID, which is significantly more secure.
2. Powerful File Manager
The iPhone did receive a Files app with iOS 12, but its functionalities are very restricted. It allows you to access documents from local storage and iCloud, but you cannot access folders/files intentionally hidden by app developers. It is because you don’t have the root access.
Root access empowers the users to read and write internal files, which also increases security risks. Since the iPhone is known as the most secure smartphone, it does not allow full access to files.
On the other hand, Android File Manager is more powerful and provides access to almost all types of files. You can even install other file manager apps as well. That’s why many Android game developers have been frustrated because users can download exclusive features, in-game currencies, and similar others. Moreover, they can even get unofficial modding of games and install them on their Android phones. On top of that, Android users can download MP3 music files from pirated websites and then move them into the stock music player.
Image source: Androidcentral
Therefore, the limited File Manager on iPhone is useful for enhancing security and protecting developers, while the full-access File Manager on Android gives more power to end-users.
For storing and accessing PDF files across various platforms (iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac), users can utilize UPDF Cloud. Additionally, they can edit their PDFs using the platform’s editing feature.
3. Multitasking
Many Android phones now allow you to split screens and open two apps at once. Android calls this multitasking and a fast way to get work done. However, this feature is missing in iPhones.
Image source: Samsung
iPhone introduced the horizontal home screen with the iPhone 6 Plus but replaced it with widgets in iOS 14. iPhone wants to keep things simple and standardized for users, so you will notice iOS apps are forced to follow Apple’s standardized layouts. In contrast, Android apps have different user interfaces, which increases the learning curve.
4. Access to Other App Stores
Android phones are not limited to Google Play Store to get new apps. In fact, popular Android phone manufacturers, like Samsung, Xiaomi, and others, have their own Android app stores. Besides that, you can also get Android app APK files from other websites.
On the other hand, iPhones keep users bound to the App Store. You cannot access any other app store or download apps from other websites. This may look like a restriction, but Apple claims it is a security practice. It helps users avoid downloading malicious apps that can compromise the device’s security and personal data.
5. Fast Charging
Android phones are coming with fast charging support. Many 5000 mAh Android phones now can fully charge in less than an hour with advanced fast-charging technologies. In fact, you will even find Android phones supporting 65W, 80W, or even 150W ultra-fast charging. To your surprise, the Redmi Note 12 Discover Edition comes with a 4,300 mAh battery and supports 210W charging, which means it is fully chargeable in just 9 minutes.
Image source: Unsplash
The iPhone is at a disadvantage here with its slow charging. The recommended charger for iPhone 15 Pro Max is a 20W charger that takes around 2 hours to fully charge the 4441 mAh battery.
6. Dual Apps
Android phones allow you to create multiple copies of an app. You can create dual apps for Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and almost any app you have installed on your phone. This feature is useful if you want to run different accounts on an app.
On iPhone, you can only clone the app icon on multiple home screens. There is no feature to create multiple copies of an app and run different accounts.
7. Keyboard Functionalities
The iPhone standard keyword is one of the most hated things by new Android users. It has no number row, no comma and period buttons in the front, inaccurate autocorrect, and many other limitations.
Android comes with a Gboard keyboard, which includes all the basic to advanced keyboard functionalities. You get the number row, comma and period buttons in the front, and much more. That’s why many iPhone users tend to replace the standard keyword with alternative ones.
8. Manual Night Mode in Camera
iPhone camera capabilities have improved a lot over the years. You can take high-quality pictures with an iPhone now. However, one thing it still misses out on is that it does not provide a manual night mode feature in the camera.
The iPhone automatically switches to night mode if it detects that the light is not appropriate. Although the photo results are still pretty good, there should be an option to manually turn on the night mode in the camera.
Most Android phone models come with a manual night mode option in the camera. You can easily switch to night mode, even in daylight, and capture photos.
9. Alarm Functionality
iPhone alarm functionality has some serious missing functionalities compared to Android. When you set an alarm on your iPhone, it does not display how many hours are left until the alarm goes off.
Similarly, if you wake up early, you have to go into alarm settings to turn off the alarm. On Android, we have a notification showing an upcoming alarm, which we can turn off immediately with one click. In short, the alarm functionality in Android is much more handy than on iPhone.
10. Screen Mirroring
Samsung phones come with a Smart View feature that allows you to mirror your entire phone screen on the PC. Once configured, you can use the phone directly from your computer and then drag and drop files. OnePlus and similar brands support a similar feature. OnePlus even allows you to use Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts to control the phone.
Image source: Slashgear
There is no support for screen mirroring and control from the computer on the iPhone. Apple talks about a centralized ecosystem linked to the user’s Apple ID. This allows users to access their photos, messages, and other data with the same Apple ID across different Apple products. Beyond that, there is no support for screen mirroring.
11. Foldable Devices
It has been a few years since Android phone manufacturers introduced foldable devices. Samsung was the first one to release the curved-inwards Galaxy Round in 2013 and then the original Galaxy Fold in 2019. After that, other Android manufacturers have also introduced foldable devices.
Image source: Samsung
On the other hand, the iPhone still hasn’t received a foldable model. There is news that Apple is working on foldable models, but it’s still just rumors. Until then, Android manufacturers will dominate the foldable device market.
Wrapping Up
Although Android and iPhone models have become more advanced, they still offer many different features. Above, we have shed light on 11 features you don’t see on the iPhone if you are switching from Android.
The iPhone avoids some Android-like features to enhance security and standardization, while it lacks a few other features, like a keyboard, alarm, screen mirroring, etc. Therefore, we will conclude the discussion by recommending that you go through the features you can get with a flagship Android and iPhone device and then decide which one you want to buy.
