6 Android Features I Miss After Switching to an iPhone

One of Android's main features that improves multitasking is the split-screen view. You can use split-screen View on Android to view two apps simultaneously. For instance, I can watch YouTube at the top while chatting with friends on WhatsApp from the bottom.

On iPhone, however, there's no such thing. I have to manually switch between apps if I want to do more than one thing at a time. While not yet available on iOS, iPadOS has Split View, which lets you view two iPad apps side by side. I hope Apple brings a similar feature to iPhones in the near future.

2 Multiple User Accounts

Another handy feature I've missed since switching to an iPhone is the ability to have multiple user accounts. Using multiple user accounts, I don't worry about my essential apps being uninstalled or new apps being installed in my main account when I give my nephew or niece the phone to play some games.

Every account has a separate user space with separate apps and acts like a different phone. While I don't share devices, this can also be useful for those that do. It can also be handy for maintaining your privacy when you take your device for repair.

3 Sideloading Apps From Third-Party App Stores

One of the reasons why I switched from Android to iPhone is the fewer security risks on the platform. Unfortunately, one of the reasons iPhones have better security than Android is the tight controls Apple has put in place. Trying to sideload apps from third-party stores on an iPhone is tough.

While third-party stores exist, and you can sideload apps on your iPhone, the experience is less streamlined, unlike on Android. For instance, unless you live in the EU, you need a Mac to sideload apps on your iPhone.

On Android, I can download apps from anywhere; the only hurdle is allowing my device to install apps from third-party sources. That isn't a hurdle since Android provides an accessible setting to enable sideloading.

4 Full Customization and Personalization

Unlike Android, iOS has very limited customization and personalization options. For instance, on the iOS Home Screen, Apple only lets me remove or add app icons and widgets. I can also add some widgets to the Lock Screen, but only a select group that Apple makes available.

Customization and personalization options on Android are nearly endless. On the Home Screen alone, I can revamp the layout totally by simply switching to a different launcher. I can also change the grid, customize the size of app icons, and more.

Besides the available customization options, I can also root my Android phone and install a custom ROM to take it a mile further if I really want to.

5 Access Internal Storage on a Computer

After switching to an iPhone, I miss accessing my device's internal storage via USB. Connecting an Android phone to a Windows computer via USB allows you to access everything on the device. You can browse your phone's internal storage like any external storage device. This enables faster file transfer than using wireless transfer methods.

I can't view my iPhone's internal storage if I connect it to my Mac via USB. Instead, I can only sync files between the two, which is very limiting. And if I connect it to a Windows computer, I'm limited to viewing images and videos stored on it.

6 Granular Sound Control

Another feature that I miss dearly after switching is Android's granular sound control options. Android provides separate sliders for adjusting media volume, call volume, ring volume, notification volume, and the volume of your alarms.

The iPhone has an all-in-one sound control setting, making it hard to manage the volume. Everything under one setting means that if I lower the volume while playing media or mute it while scrolling social media, I must remember to increase it so I don't miss out on my alarms later.

On iPhones, there are only two settings for controlling volume: one for ringtones and alerts and another for when you're on a call or playing media. But to enjoy this separation, I need to toggle off Change with Buttons at Settings > Sounds & Haptics. Otherwise, lowering or increasing the volume using the buttons will also affect my ring volume and alerts like reminders and alarms.

Switching from Android to iPhone means making some sacrifices. If you're a long-time Android user, remember that these are just some of the challenges you'll face when switching to an iPhone from an Android device.

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