Ask HN: How to plan the big move from Android to iOS?

[czep]

What do you wish you knew before switching to an iphone?

The family uses iphones/ipads and my comic stubbornness is finally reaching the end of its utility and becoming annoying. I'm looking for checklists or tips on how to migrate with the least amount of pain and breakage. Not only from Pixel to iphone, but also from Google Fi (which is great) to one of the mega-carriers (all of which I've previously used and disliked).

My last iphone was a 7, so it's been awhile. My main concerns are will 2FA break? Can I keep using Google for photos and docs or does everything need to be on icloud? Is there anything as good as Firefox with UBO? What else do I not know and should be careful with?

[night-rider]

> Is there anything as good as Firefox with UBO?

The DuckDuckGo iOS app blocks ADs and trackers. Also ADGuard Pro can block stuff at the network level. It only costs $10.00 for a one time purchase.

> My main concerns are will 2FA break?

Make sure to export your QR code TOTP seed images into a new iOS app. Most TOTP apps allow you to do this. I like the app 2FAS[0].

> Can I keep using Google for photos and docs or does everything need to be on icloud?

The whole suite of Google apps are available on iOS.

[0] https://2fas.com/

[andrewfromx → night-rider]

free yourself from phone 2fa!

oathtool --totp -b 'code'

[tomcam]

I would strongly suggest you and your family subscribe to iCloud. It reduces most back up issues to background noise, and makes a lot of things like setting up new devices, and using using notes or calendars on different devices even easier than on Google products (which I also use regularly and like).

Plus, you get the all important green text on one of your apps, which I don’t quite understand, but which I know is super important.

[andrewfromx]

oh you should definitely carry two phones for a while. Don't turn off your android until 6 months into using ios.

[user_7832 → andrewfromx]

Yeah, I second this. Op, don’t trade your old phone in or sell/give it off if you can afford it.

You only know after you’ve started using the new phone what all is still leftover on the old.

[gwnywg → andrewfromx]

I plan to switch to PinePhone and thought about this too

[mig4ng]

> Is there anything as good as Firefox with UBO?

Consider trying Orion. I use it on macOS, not on iPhone, but would love to try it on the phone too. It supports UBO as far as I know.

[ActorNightly]

Why do you need an iPhone? There are plenty of cross platform apps that work well for messaging, video chat, e.t.c

[czep → ActorNightly]

You're right, of course, there are suitable alternatives that work well. There are some things that will just be easier to manage such as Parental controls, backups, and Family features. Additionally, I've lost basic tech support skills on iOS. Part of my motivation for originally switching to android was to gain familiarity with the ecosystem, but now I've fallen behind on the iOS world and can barely use my kid's ipad.

[Mrirazak1]

The plan is this- Get an iPhone- use the move to iOS app. It transfers everything over. You just need to login to some things again. And hey presto your on iOS.

Welcome to the brighter side