Different types of devices can use Apple’s services to some extent, although there are several challenges involved.
Many people prefer to fully adopt the Apple apps on Android or Windows Android ecosystem, but some individuals use devices made by different companies. As a result, a situation arises where there is a need to use Apple apps and services on Android.
In recent years, accessing Apple’s data from phones running Google’s mobile operating system has become easier, but there is still room for improvement. It’s important to note that we’re not talking about fully transferring data from Apple’s ecosystem, but rather about accessing emails, movies, files, etc., on Android while using Apple hardware.
Emails, Contacts, Calendars
With the help of the IMAP protocol, you can access Apple iCloud emails through the Android Gmail app. In the Gmail app, tap on your account profile in the main email tab, then select “Add Another Account” and follow the instructions. Different accounts have separate settings, and their notification settings are also kept distinct.
Unfortunately, it’s not that easy when it comes to Contacts and Calendars. If you’re moving away from Apple devices, you can transfer this data from iOS and iCloud to Google. However, when it comes to emails, we can’t maintain a seamless sync between both sides.
If you open the iCloud web portal in your Android mobile web browser, you won’t be able to access Contacts and Calendar. This option is available on desktop browsers, but not on mobile browsers.
There are apps available on the Google Play Store that help bring Apple’s Contacts and Calendars to Android, but they aren’t very reliable, and you have to provide your Apple login to a third party, which can be a risky process.
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iCloud Files, Photos, and Videos
Since there is no official iCloud app for Android, transferring data from iCloud Drive or the Apple Photos app isn’t easy. A weak alternative is to open the iCloud website in your Android web browser and log in with your Apple account. Here, you can access apps like iCloud Drive, Photos, Mail, Notes, Find My, and Reminders, but Contacts and Calendar aren’t available.
Using iCloud in a mobile browser isn’t as bad as you might think, but it doesn’t offer the seamless experience of a native mobile app. Almost all the features available in the desktop browser also work on mobile, like viewing and downloading photos and videos, but you won’t have access to editing features.
In iCloud Drive, you can view, share, delete, move, create folders, and rename files. You can also upload files, but there’s no direct way to sync photos and videos taken on Android with iCloud.
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Streaming and Entertainment
Getting Apple Music on Android devices is quite easy. You just need to install the Apple Music for Android app, which is one of the few Apple mobile apps developed for the Google platform. Once the app is installed, you can easily switch between Android and iOS. However, the Apple Music app for Android isn’t as polished or better in design compared to its iOS counterpart, but it does its job well.
Unfortunately, there is no Apple TV app available for Android phones and tablets yet. If you want to access content purchased from Apple TV Plus or Apple’s entertainment library, you’ll have to visit the Apple TV web portal on your Android web browser and log in with your Apple account details.
The experience might not be as great, but it’s decent. You can watch your favourite content directly in your Android browser and switch to full-screen mode if needed. Additionally, all your viewing activities stay synced across devices. For example, you can start watching something on your Mac and then continue it on your Android smartphone.
The same web access method applies to Apple Podcasts as well. You just need to open the Apple Podcasts web portal and start listening from where you left off. You can view new episodes, subscribe to new podcasts, and do a lot more. Additionally, there’s a web player available for Apple Music, which you can use on Android devices if you don’t want to install the app.
Additional Features
Other features available on iCloud Web, like HideMyEmail and HomeKit Secure Video, are also accessible in the mobile browser. With the FindMy app, you can view your Apple devices on a map, which is especially helpful if you lose your Apple devices and only have Android devices. However, Apple Maps doesn’t work in the mobile browser, which is a disappointing limitation.