Apple Releases First Android App to Encourage Users to Switch to iOS

Apple has launched its first in-house app on the Android operating system, designed to make life easier for consumers switching from Android to Apple's iOS operating system.

The technology giant, which last week launched its iOS 9 operating system along with new iPhones and a bigger iPad, released the app on the Google Play store on Wednesday, according to Apple news site 9to5Mac.

The app—which has the catchy title of "Switch to iOS from Android"—allows Android users to wirelessly transfer much of their content from their current device to an Apple one. Apple did previously run the Beats Music app on Android, but this was not developed in-house by the Cupertino-based technology company and has since been discontinued.

Switch to iOS is compatible with devices running on Android 4.0 or later and requires an Apple device running the newly-released iOS 9.

When setting up an Apple device, users are asked whether they need to transfer content from Android. If they do, the device generates a code which the user then inputs in the Switch to iOS app. The app then creates a private wireless network over which content is transferred. Finally, the app helpfully recommends that you recycle your old Android phone, preferably at your local Apple store.

Apple will be hoping the new app will help to make a dent in Android's massive operating system market share. Q2 figures from the International Data Corporation (IDC) showed that Android holds 82.8 percent of the market, with Samsung the number one contributor to its success. Apple's iOS was in a distant second place with 13.9 percent.

The Independent newspaper reported in June that Apple was capitalizing on Android's operating system market share in the U.K. due to a fall in the number of first-time smartphone buyers, with second-time buyers less likely to show loyalty to Android. Apple's U.K. market share grew from 29.5 percent to 35.8 percent in the year to April 2015, while Android's dropped from 59.1 percent to 54.2 percent.

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Conor is a staff writer for Newsweek covering Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, security and conflict.

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