Switch from Iphone to Android - top tips

[HidingFromDD]

(and I know IANBU but couldn't find another topic)

So have finally decided to move away from iphone and have ordered the P20 Pro, primarily because the camera looks great, but also because I find over the last few years Apple have increasingly controlled what you are (and aren't) 'allowed' to do and I don't like that.

But, I've had an Iphone for years (also have a macbook) and know the first few weeks are going to be painful. Any top tips? Has anyone use a transfer programme to move the data from one to the other?

Also, anyone got the P20 Pro and has any good tips for that?

I have googled all of this, but wanted people's personal experience

thanks

I switched from iPhones to p20 pro last month and it's been such an improvement. I have tonnes more storage, better battery life and the camera is amazing. Only drawback is that it's much bigger and heavier than I'm used to. Still getting used to lots of features so following this.

I wouldn't buy a Huawei product after the whole nexus 6p debacle tbh.

The new pixel will be a good few months yet.

I have to add though, if I could run iOS on a Samsung phone I'd do it like a shot. They're beautiful. I just can't get on with them.

I have the P20 Pro which I bought purely because of the camera. The photos are like using a DSLR camera. The portraits I've taken of my children are amazing - so detailed with the background blurred out - like magazine photos.

A few things I did when I first got it.

I installed Google keyboard (Gboard) which is clean and simple. I didn't like the pre-installed SwiftKey.

I removed unwanted apps. You can do this by pressing and holding on the icon, and a little uninstall dustbin icon will appear top right. Drag the unwanted app onto the dustbin to delete. If the app can't be uninstalled, then you can disable it via the settings menu. With these app icons, you can then drag them on top of each other and they'll form a folder. Re-label it unwanted apps, and chuck all the icons in that folder to avoid screen clutter.

I am googled up to the eyeballs and use Google photos and Google Calender rather than the Huawei versions. Those have been chucked into my unwanted apps folder, as well as disabled.

There are probably tonnes of other things that are brilliant but I'm still learning!

I do most of the things on my Samsung S8+ that Glaciferous mentioned above.

This phone has a big enough screen that the next two days' diary are on the top half of the home screen so I can check appointment times at a glance . The bottom half has room for all the usual functions.
I use this phone heavily but it always runs for two days with battery to spare.

The Samsung does have some bloatware, but it's easy to turn that off so it never interferes.

And I never buy on contract, which is just an expensive form of hire purchase.

I do agree Samsung has a bloatware problem these days. I never used to find it such an issue. I think I might look at something like a Google phone next time I need a new one I am really irritated with Samsung's device maintenance app which they currently force you to use rather than just being able to view things like battery, storage and memory use separately. I didn't realise that was preinstalled and required on my latest one or I might have chosen differently, though I'm happy with it overall.

I have managed to turn most other things off and it was really easy to do, battery life is great and IME remains great until the phone is on its last legs anyway at which point it will suddenly tank.

The nice thing about a lot of the more recent android phones is the choice in features - DH likes things like a fingerprint reader and heartbeat sensor, I prioritise factors like waterproofing, shockproofing, and gorilla glass as I'm really clumsy but don't like using screen protectors. I'm happy to report that despite dropping my phone far more regularly than I'd like to admit my screen is scratch free and pristine - I can't say the same for the metal bumpers on the sides but at least it's not actually broken (and I will get a rubber type case for it at some point.)

I also like being able to use memory cards and change out the battery.

I also like being able to use memory cards and change out the battery.

On the latest Samsung phones you can still use memory cards. But the batteries are sealed. That seems to be standard for all phones now except for a few specialised ones.

I'm a budget phone lover and have had the last few Moto Gs and love them. Widgets are the key for me, using them efficiently changes the whole phone 'experience'. My home screen is split between a calendar and my pinned lists from keep, so I can see weather, what's on today and what I need to buy/do/cook without going into any different apps.

I'm looking at the G6 at the moment but would love a Google phone.

@IWantMyHatBack yes. If you're getting an Android phone, get one made by Google.

Thanks, I had a feeling Samsung was bloaty and have been leaning towards the Pixel 2.

Hopefully the new one being released will drop the prices further

I had iPhones right from iPhone3 up to iPhone5, then swapped to Android, I'd never go back, I love being able to expand the memory with a micro SD card, the unlicensed apps, the back button, I save a fortune on Amazon & Netflix subscriptions as I found an unlicensed app that shows everything the day after it's released online for free, the phones are cheaper if you are on contract & I've found they are tougher than iPhones, the battery life is better, most still have a headphone socket & they aren't as temperamental, unless you are prepared to pay for the iPhone X the cameras are better & it's easier to move pictures between apps.

I have a P9 which I love. Camera is great and it's easy to use. I haven't had an iPhone since the 4 but I hated the battery life, lack of external storage and iTunes for transferring things.

@Glaciferous iOS has had a 'back button' for a while. Either force touch for quick access on supporting devices or it's a button at the top of the screen that does exactly the same as Android. Goes back to the previous app...

I didn't know that! Must tell DH - he will be delighted!