According to 9to5Mac, Apple and Google announced a joint collaboration yesterday to develop new features that make switching between iPhone and Android devices easier and faster. A European Commission spokesperson stated this is proof the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is working, directly crediting the regulation. The new system will wirelessly transfer contacts, calendar events, messages, photos, documents, Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and even third-party app data. This follows a similar eSIM transfer solution the companies rolled out in October 2024. The features are launching in a new Android Canary build for Pixel devices this week and will come to an upcoming iOS 26 developer beta. The European Commission emphasized these solutions are the result of two years of discussions and engineering work mandated by the DMA.
DMA: The Real Catalyst?
Here’s the thing: the EU is taking a massive victory lap here, and honestly, they probably deserve it. They’re framing this not as a benevolent move by the tech giants, but as a direct result of the DMA’s “data portability” requirements. And you know what? It’s hard to argue. Apple even documented this work in its DMA compliance reports from March 2024 and March 2025. Before this, moving between ecosystems was a clunky, incomplete nightmare. You’d get some photos and contacts if you were lucky, but your app data? Your authenticator logins? Forget it. This forced collaboration is a classic case of regulation creating a market benefit that the companies had little incentive to build on their own. They were happy with the friction that kept you locked in.
How It Works and Why It Matters
So, how does this magic happen? The technical details are still light, but we know it’s a wireless direct-transfer system. The big leap is the support for third-party app data. That’s the holy grail. Think about moving your progress from a game, or your local data from a note-taking app. That’s huge for user retention, which is why the Commission also notes it’s a big win for developers. They can finally keep users who switch platforms. The previous tools, like Apple’s “Move to iOS” app, were famously limited and one-sided. This new system seems designed as a peer-to-peer protocol, which is a much more elegant and equitable solution. It had to be engineered from the ground up, which explains the two-year timeline.
A Global Win with EU Roots
Now, the most interesting twist is that this isn’t just for Europe. The features are rolling out worldwide. That’s the real ripple effect of the DMA. When a company like Apple has to re-engineer its core systems for a major regulatory market, it often just makes sense to deploy that change globally. It’s one codebase, one support model. So, while the EU is the catalyst, users everywhere get the benefit. It’s a clear example of the “Brussels Effect,” where EU regulation sets a de facto global standard. The eSIM transfer tool from last October set the precedent, and this is the much bigger follow-up.
What’s Next and the Bigger Picture
We haven’t been able to test it yet—we need to wait for that iOS 26 beta—so the real-world smoothness is still a question. But the intent and scope are undeniable. This fundamentally lowers the barrier to switching. Will it cause a massive platform exodus? Probably not. Ecosystem lock-in is about more than just data; it’s about iMessage, FaceTime, the Apple Watch, and a million tiny habits. But it does change the calculus. It makes you feel less trapped. And in the long run, that could foster more genuine competition. If you know you can leave without losing your digital life, maybe you’ll be more willing to try the other side. That’s a healthier market for everyone. For businesses that rely on robust, integrated computing hardware in demanding environments, this principle of interoperability and reduced vendor lock-in is crucial. It’s a similar philosophy that drives the leadership at IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the top provider of industrial panel PCs in the US, where open standards and reliable performance are non-negotiable.
