Apple repackaged an existing Android app to make 'Move to iOS'

posted by Daniel P.

Sep 18, 2015, 2:40 AM

Apple repackaged an existing Android app to make 'Move to iOS'

The other day, Apple released its arguably first real Android app, "Move to iOS", to the Play Store, which is a contacts and data transfer software that facilitates your transition from an Android handset to an iPhone. We say first real Android app, as Beats Music was existent in the Play Store when Apple acquired Beats, but it was grandfathered in, and has quickly disappeared since, waiting to be reborn as the official Apple Music app.

Well, it seems that Apple Music will be the first real Android app from the Cupertino gang, as the Move to iOS undertaking appears to be just a repackaged code of an app that already exists in the Play Store, called Copy My Data, which does the same thing. Apple has allegedly licensed the software, created by the UK devs from Media Mushroom, as there are bits of code that are directly copying references as com.mediamushroom.copymydata strings, and even the Android repackaging in the Move to iOS app carries the title android:name="com.mediamushroom.copymydata".

Obviously, Apple has slapped its own graphics and interface on the Move to iOS app, but it is done neither in Google's Material Design guidelines, nor in Apple's typical iOS fashion, but rather has the vibe of a rebranded tool that already existed indeed. Move to iOS is already being smashed with one-star reviews in the Play Store as it is by the fanboy crowd, and just wait when they hear it's a rehashed version of something already there. Oh, well, we'll have to wait for Apple Music to land in the Play Store to gauge Cupertino's real take on an Android interface, it seems.

source: AppleInsider & CopyMyData (Play Store)

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41 Comments

39. SundovChildress

Posts: 71; Member since: Sep 20, 2015

Here is a video about transferring contacts from iPhone 5S to Samsung Galaxy Note 5, also works with other Samsung Galaxy and iPhone youtube.com/watch?v=tM1IiMpdujU

posted on Sep 20, 2015, 2:39 AM 0

31. zeeBomb

Posts: 2318; Member since: Aug 14, 2014

Make a move

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 9:22 AM 0

27. WallStreetWolf

Posts: 289; Member since: Apr 08, 2013

I was reading the reviews on my tablet and found it completely laughable. Apple users wholeheartedly use Google apps everyday and you would have to look pretty hard to find a negative review bashing the company rather than the product. A bunch of zealots taking a side in a war that doesn't really exist.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 8:55 AM 1

21. nahusiv

Posts: 100; Member since: Apr 20, 2015

so i guess Daniel P. either doesnt know what a fanboy is, or hes an Apple fanboy being toxic against Android users in general

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 8:02 AM 0

20. Muayyad

Posts: 240; Member since: Oct 05, 2012

HTC was first to do it for IOS users and now apple uses HTC phone in the illustration. Revenge ?

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 7:34 AM 0

10. DeDex

Posts: 121; Member since: Sep 01, 2014

Technically, they apparently did implement a few things on they own in this app, because message transfer is not possible through the original Copy My Data application. Everything else may very well be borrowed code, though. To be honest, as long as the folks at Media Mushroom are fine with this rebranding and the app functions properly, I do not see why this would be a big deam. It would have been very surprising to see Apple devs embrace Google's guidelines to build and Android app from scratch, anyway. I mean, making an Apple app with material design? That would probably be seen as unfaithful behavior towards Ive, whose position is pretty much guru-ish.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 4:03 AM 0

14. FrenchGuy

Posts: 134; Member since: Dec 12, 2014

Oh I see, so to your mind, Google has to respect the Apple's guidelines but when it comes to Apple, everybody says : You really think Apple is gonna respect the guidelines of other manufacturers? " I do not see why this would be a big deam." So do I, but I would like to know the overall behavior and rating if it was a google's app instead.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 4:36 AM 0

22. DeDex

Posts: 121; Member since: Sep 01, 2014

Hey, I never voiced any opinion about Google having to respect Apple's design guidelines, you know :-) Plus, guidelines are just what they are: guidelines. Google's speech is: "we recommend you use Material Design because it's the design language that will be used for all Android stock features". To my knowledge, they never said anything like "if you don't use Material Design, we won't allow your app". So what wrong is there in not respecting it? I have no idea what the conditions for being allowed info Apple's App Store are. But if Apple said "you have to respect our design language or you'll get kicked out", welp, you know what you have to do in order to get in, because of Apple being Apple. And if Apple does not force anyone (conjecture) yet Google wants to go the extra mile and adapt their apps' design to Apple design's language, that is fine by me. Do not get me wrong, I am not saying that I like the way Apple manages its OS and app ecosystem, or how little they care about making an app that looks properly on another OS. But if Google decided to be lax, I am not surprised to see Apple do as they like and give the finger to Material Design. That is typical Apple behavior in my opinion. Yet that would not be a sufficient reason for me to give it 1 star. If it works as it should and has a usable UI (once again, conjecture), it is enough for a migration app, at least in my book.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 8:09 AM 0

35. AlikMalix unregistered

Why would anyone care about material design if they're moving away from android to iOS design - it's like saying that the entrance to a city should reflect the look of the city you're leaving. Those that are trying to justify their hate toward Apple because of design guidelines of Google are really scraping the bottom - you run android - last time I checked - nothing matches on android - everything is a mess that you must "customize" to make look good. The app works well and it is a clean design - it does not deserve 1 star. If it was any other app even with the same iOS design - it would get much better rating. How did you guys rate the iOS look launcher? I think it's called os7... Huh?

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 12:30 PM 0

9. promise7

Posts: 894; Member since: Jul 03, 2013

Apple licensed it so I don't see the big deal. Funny that the exact original app 'Copy My Data' by Media Mushroom in the Google Play Store gets 4 stars overall, but when Apple licenses it and puts its name on it it suddenly gets 1 star overall. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mediamushroom.copymydata&hl=en

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 3:55 AM 1

11. tedkord

Posts: 17544; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

It's not been verified yet that Apple licensed, only that they likely did.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 4:13 AM 1

32. j2001m

Posts: 3061; Member since: Apr 28, 2014

It gets a 1 star as its a new app with a crap look

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 10:37 AM 0

8. tedkord

Posts: 17544; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

I mean, talking someone else's work and throwing an Apple label on it is kind of their M.O. for the past 30 odd years.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 3:43 AM 3

19. Martin_Cooper

Posts: 1774; Member since: Jul 30, 2013

Yep cause your beloved google is a saint:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Google

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 6:40 AM 1

25. TerryTerius unregistered

There's a substantial difference between an acquisition and pretending as if you created things which you simply didn't. That's a really weird way to rebut, because absolutely no one said that Google hasn't bought companies before. But even still, what does anything that Google does have to do at Apple and its behavior? That's like you robbing a store and then pointing out the fact that stores are robbed every day... As if that changes the fact that you still pulled off a robbery or negates reality. Apple has in fact been passing off other companies work for a very long time as their own. That doesn't mean that they don't deserve credit for the innovations they've brought to market. But you can keep two thoughts in your head at the same time. https://youtu.be/wFeC25BM9E0 Watch for yourself.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 8:37 AM 1

6. Wulfgardr

Posts: 73; Member since: Oct 29, 2014

Uahauah, reviewers gone full plebeian. I welcome further retardation, in this way we will increase the gap between us. After all, there's no room for normies or liberals in this world.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 3:34 AM 0

5. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Basically Apple just 'borrow' another existing Android app and stick an Apple logo. Typical! I guess the only personal touch from Jony Ive would be the recycle logo and a line of thoughtful crafted text to troll their new user.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 3:19 AM 3

34. AlikMalix unregistered

The app that the article refers to exists on iOS. Copy My Data by Media Mushroom Limitedhttps://appsto.re/us/uOk3Z.i I bet Apple paid for the rights to use their software. The funny thing is "copyMyData" app on android has 4 stars, yet Apple has the same version and it's 1 star. Android Mob is an emotional one. Just saying.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 12:24 PM 0

37. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

At the same time there are tons of iOS icons, themes, launchers etc. that get great review. This app is little anti-platform IMO. When you finish the transfer you get the message: "Recycle your Android phone" lol.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 12:46 PM 0

4. yann

Posts: 616; Member since: Jul 15, 2010

Why such a noise for something so small? Apple have right to do it, right? Let them do it. So what? I do not like Apple, but they trying to take a bite from Android and they made it legit. So? Anyone hurt.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 3:16 AM 2

12. zyxxyz

Posts: 25; Member since: Apr 10, 2015

Ask them to allow the same and they will point to several clause and terms of service.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 4:18 AM 1

1. sgtdisturbed47

Posts: 975; Member since: Feb 02, 2012

Surprised this didn't happen sooner. They have an amazing ability to grab existing technology, slap a bitten Apple on it, and call it original.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 2:46 AM 18

2. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Like Google right?

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 2:47 AM 0

3. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

Find me Move to Android app on AppStore. Wait, find me any app that has Android name on it. I will wait.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 3:10 AM 10

13. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Youtube Android Waze Your move.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 4:36 AM 1

16. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

LOL. I am still waiting. I am gonna act like I didnt saw that "Android" app mentioned by you that doesnt even exist.

posted on Sep 18, 2015, 4:44 AM 7

17. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

Since you are probably still "searching" let me drop this:https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/ Read point 3.1 and see it for yourself.