Thinking about going back to the dark side (ios)

[Mellofello808]

I have a few work applications that simply do not work with Android. For the past 5 years I have been carrying a top of the line android phone, changing it out twice a year sometimes. I have also always had an iphone in my pocket for work.

There is a new person helming the IT department, and she has moved some things around with our policies. It is now permissable to put company sim cards into private devices, and run a second service via esim. There is no need to run any tracking software, it will just mean tons of 2FA alerts.

There is no concrete policy banning android, but they have no interest in spending the money on developing the android apps to function correctly.

Leads me to a tough choice.

I hate carrying 2 phones everywhere I go but I really prefer android to iOS.


For those who went back permanently to ios, how did it go?

 

[dumastudetto]

I've lived in both worlds extensively, and I can feel your pain at such a difficult decision. The good news is once you start integrating yourself back into Apple's ecosystems, you'll realise it's mostly all upsides. The added benefits of privacy and security are all part of the cohesive experience.

The downsides are you don't get to choose all the weird and wild Android handsets that come out pretty much every month of the year. Clearly you enjoy playing around with new devices. You only get what Apple offers you in September, unless a color change appeals mid-cycle, but overall the ecosystem is strong and unbeatable really.

Things like messages just working with most of your friends, excellent ad/tracker blocking, iOS apps being generally better than the Android ports, being able to use Apple Watch, health tools, and the seamless experience across all your devices etc. The latter point, of course, is if you go deep into Apple's ecosystems again. 😂

 

[Johns12]

I found no appreciable upside or downside in either system. You have to do what's best for you. Carrying two phones would not be my choice. Good luck with your decision.

 

[alphasports]

I flip back n forth fairly often (iphone 12/pixel 6)...recently been using the iphone for a month straight which is very long for me, in terms of pure useability it's just such a clunker of an OS at this point, Android on the Pixel & my OP7T always blows me away after using iOS for an extended period, it's just so much more sensible and functional. That said I have a bunch of Apple stuff (Mac, watch, ipad, airpods) and the ecosystem thing is pretty handy & useful, but I can use everything but the watch with android no problem.

 

[Hastings101]

While waaay back in time the differences were more major, nowadays I don’t think Android and iOS are really all that different for the consumer (excluding ecosystem things like iCloud/iMessage etc vs built in Google Services).

if you’re more of a tech enthusiast though and you need to run some special Android software that can only be sideloaded or you’re really into customizing your phone as a hobby, obviously you can’t do that with iOS.

iOS sounds way simpler in your case since you’ll just need one device. That said, I personally greatly prefer to keep my work and personal devices and accounts 1000000% separate.

 

[Ludatyk]

Things like messages just working with most of your friends, excellent ad/tracker blocking, iOS apps being generally better than the Android ports, being able to use Apple Watch, health tools, and the seamless experience across all your devices etc. The latter point, of course, is if you go deep into Apple's ecosystems again. 😂

I like the Apple Watch, don’t get me wrong. But Samsung has done an incredible job building out it’s ecosystem as well… from the Galaxy Tabs to their Galaxy Books and then there’s Windows integration.

And I get it, Apple has the best ecosystem… but I don’t think it’s to the point where if someone was to go elsewhere they will have a bad experience.

I hate carrying 2 phones everywhere I go but I really prefer android to iOS.

I’m the same way. I’ve done the two-phone setup, it’s not for me. But if you prefer Android and there’s no concrete policy banning it… what are we discussing here?

However, you mention apps function correctly on the iPhone…. What does that mean?

 

[The Game 161]

If you prefer android stick with that

it’s important to choose what you like the most

even with great android features iOS is always my preference even if they are late on things.

 

[Aneres11]

I have a few work applications that simply do not work with Android. For the past 5 years I have been carrying a top of the line android phone, changing it out twice a year sometimes. I have also always had an iphone in my pocket for work.

There is a new person helming the IT department, and she has moved some things around with our policies. It is now permissable to put company sim cards into private devices, and run a second service via esim. There is no need to run any tracking software, it will just mean tons of 2FA alerts.

There is no concrete policy banning android, but they have no interest in spending the money on developing the android apps to function correctly.

Leads me to a tough choice.

I hate carrying 2 phones everywhere I go but I really prefer android to iOS.


For those who went back permanently to ios, how did it go?

Every time I go to iOS I get bored in a month and I'm back on Android. The gap that used to be there between Android and iOS is long gone IMO.

When I use iOS I hate the lightning port, crap notification system, no Google search from home screen (the Google iOS widget isnt the same), lack of customisation (their version of widgets is a step forward, still nowhere near as good), and just the excitement of a good android device. That's without the subtle niceties some android devices bring like Google's Now Playing feature which I love, the better cameras on Android (iPhone cameras are not as good IMO), spam call monitor and blocker the list goes on and on.

Apple's devices are so boring. Across the board. The last exciting product was the coloured iMac's. It's all well and good if all you want is boring and solid, and many people do which is understandable, but every year they give you the same phone for £1000+.
Google looks to me doing the same with the Pixel 7 though, such is the nature of the market. Although they are hopefully going to charge hundreds less for their Pro model.

My preference is 100% Android. I've not used iOS since the Flip 3 came out last year and haven't looked back. Don't miss an iPhone one bit.

 

[ian87w]

I have a few work applications that simply do not work with Android. For the past 5 years I have been carrying a top of the line android phone, changing it out twice a year sometimes. I have also always had an iphone in my pocket for work.

There is a new person helming the IT department, and she has moved some things around with our policies. It is now permissable to put company sim cards into private devices, and run a second service via esim. There is no need to run any tracking software, it will just mean tons of 2FA alerts.

There is no concrete policy banning android, but they have no interest in spending the money on developing the android apps to function correctly.

Leads me to a tough choice.

I hate carrying 2 phones everywhere I go but I really prefer android to iOS.


For those who went back permanently to ios, how did it go?

Sounds like whatever you do, you have to have an iPhone as there are apps for your work that are iOS only.

So you have two options.
First, do what you've been doing, the company provided iPhone for work and you personal Android. This is imo the best way. Keep work stuff completely separate from personal.

Second is to go with the work iPhone only. Not recommended, but if you only want one device, sounds like this is the only choice. It depends on what Android app/feature that is not available on iOS and you must find alternative or workaround. If all the apps you have on Android are available on iOS, then the transition should be easy. Everything else is just preference. Google and Microsoft services work great on iOS, so you don't really lose much if you rely on Google/Microsoft services already.

I personally wouldn't use iPhone as my primary driver as iPhones cannot do twin apps (eg. dual whatsapp accounts on one phone). Also, the top 3 carriers in my country don't do eSIM, so iPhones here are practically single SIM devices, and I must have dual SIM. My iPhone 7+ is relegated for banking purposes only.

 

[dumastudetto]

While waaay back in time the differences were more major, nowadays I don’t think Android and iOS are really all that different for the consumer (excluding ecosystem things like iCloud/iMessage etc vs built in Google Services).

if you’re more of a tech enthusiast though and you need to run some special Android software that can only be sideloaded or you’re really into customizing your phone as a hobby, obviously you can’t do that with iOS.

iOS sounds way simpler in your case since you’ll just need one device. That said, I personally greatly prefer to keep my work and personal devices and accounts 1000000% separate.

The Operating Systems may not be a million miles apart, although they are in terms of privacy and security, but apps are higher quality on iOS and iPadOS with a much more vibrant ecosystem of independent developers. Apps like Instagram function better on iOS, although that's really due to the wide range of devices that Android fans see as a benefit.

 

[Expos of 1969]

...Things like messages just working with most of your friends...

The OP did not provide any information as to what phones his friends use. Why do you assume most of his friends use iPhones? 90% of my friends use Android and the few on iPhones have no problem with sending or receiving messages to/from me.

 

[dumastudetto]

The OP did not provide any information as to what phones his friends use. Why do you assume most of his friends use iPhones? 90% of my friends use Android and the few on iPhones have no problem with sending or receiving messages to/from me.

Fair point.

I just sometimes assume 100% of the world is using iPhone, when really it's just the people in my life.

 

[russell_314]

I switched when the iPhone 5 came out and never looked back. I was thinking about it till I was issued an Android work phone. That completely shut down any curiosity I had about it 😂

 

[Expos of 1969]

Fair point.

I just sometimes assume 100% of the world is using iPhone, when really it's just the people in my life.

Well, it is more than just the people in your life but certainly a small minority of the global users.