The European Commission has pointed to the ongoing collaboration between Apple and Google on a simplified smartphone data transfer system as a clear example of the benefits brought by the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for both users and developers. This new feature aims to reduce data monopolies and expand user choice worldwide.
Both companies are adding options to transfer data directly between iPhone and Android during device setup, making the process far more convenient. The European Commission confirmed that this cross-platform functionality is a direct outcome of the DMA’s regulations.
Under the DMA, large platform providers must enable effective data portability to prevent users from being locked into a single operating system. The Commission noted that the current collaboration reflects intensive engineering work by Apple and Google, along with close consultations with regulatory authorities.
The new solution allows users to transfer a wide range of data, including contacts, calendars, messages, photos, documents, Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and third-party app data wirelessly. This marks a significant improvement over current methods, which are often cumbersome and limited.
Moreover, the DMA played a key role in prompting Apple and Google to implement simplified eSIM transfers earlier this year. Combined with cross-platform data migration, these features significantly reduce barriers for users switching devices, allowing them to choose hardware based on innovation rather than being locked to a platform by their data.
Although the new cross-device transfer feature is still in testing Google has rolled it out in Android Canary builds, and Apple is expected to include it in iOS 26 it will eventually be available globally, not just in Europe. This demonstrates the positive consumer impact of the DMA beyond the EU.
Origin: Macrumors
