According to MacRumors, the European Commission is publicly crediting the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for forcing Apple and Google to develop new tools that let users wirelessly transfer data between iPhones and Android devices. The companies are implementing this cross-platform portability solution to comply with DMA rules against data lock-in, with support for contacts, messages, photos, documents, Wi-Fi passwords, and even third-party app data. This follows a similar DMA-driven collaboration earlier this year on a simplified eSIM transfer solution. The functionality is currently in testing, with Google implementing it in an Android Canary build for Pixel devices and Apple expected to add it in a future iOS 26 update. Crucially, while the DMA is the catalyst, the feature will be rolled out worldwide, not just in Europe.
DMA: The Big Stick
Here’s the thing: the European Commission is really leaning into this announcement. They’re not being subtle. They want a clear, public win to point to after Apple recently commissioned a study claiming the DMA has “failed” and only delivered “less security” and a “worse experience.” So, getting two of the world’s biggest tech rivals to sit down and do “extensive engineering work and collaboration” is a huge PR coup for the regulators. It’s a tangible, user-facing change you can actually feel. The message is simple: see? Our rules work. They make the giants play nice and give you, the user, more freedom. And you know what? They’re not wrong on this specific point.
The Real-World Switch
But let’s talk about what this actually means. Right now, switching ecosystems is a pain. You’re basically starting from scratch or relying on clunky, incomplete workarounds. This new system, baked right into the device setup, could genuinely lower the barrier to switching. Want to try a Pixel but have a decade of iMessage threads and Live Photos? It might finally be less of a nightmare. The same goes for an iPhone user curious about a Galaxy. This isn’t just about moving contacts; it’s about reducing the invisible wall around your data. That’s a big deal. It means your choice might finally be more about which phone you actually like, not which digital prison you’re already stuck in.
Global Rollout and Irony
Now, the funniest part? This DMA-mandated feature is going global. Apple and Google aren’t building two separate systems. So, while the EU is taking the credit—and honestly, they deserve it for wielding the regulatory hammer—the rest of the world gets the benefit for free. It’s a classic case of regulation in one major market setting a new global standard. The companies’ engineering teams had to solve this hard problem anyway, so why not deploy the solution everywhere? It’s good PR and simplifies their own support logistics. Everyone wins, but the EU gets to say “we told you so.”
What It Doesn’t Solve
Okay, so let’s not get carried away. This is a major step for data portability, but it’s not magic. It transfers your existing data out, but it doesn’t solve the ongoing interoperability issues that keep you locked in. Your group chats will still fracture if you leave iMessage. Your Apple Watch still won’t work with an Android phone. The social and ecosystem hooks are deep. This tool makes the initial jump easier, but the gravitational pull of each platform remains incredibly strong. Still, it’s a start. And in the world of walled gardens, sometimes the first crack in the wall is the most important one.
