7 Android features that are missing on iPhone and iOS
There are, however, still 7 Android features that iPhone users can't have on their smartphone. What are they?
1. Change the default apps
You can change all default apps, such as the ones in the phone, messaging, voice assistant and smart device control with any third-party app, with alternatives that users find more enjoyable and / or functional. You can also set third-party apps to open certain links directly, rather than being opened in a browser.
2. Multiple copies of the same app (clone applications)
On Android phones it is possible to create clones of certain applications and then use different accounts even in apps that do not natively support this function. So if you want for example to use two WhatsApp accounts on your phone, you can create a clone of the original application and use another account on the clone.On iOS it is possible to circumvent this limitation only with WhatsApp and only with a maximum of one account extra:
How to use two WhatsApp accounts simultaneously on iPhone
3. Install applications downloaded from the internet and use third-party stores (sideloading)
Subject of the legal battle that brought Apple to court together at Epic Games, sideloading is the practice of installing applications through files not coming from the official app store found within the operating system.Whether it's installing APK files downloaded from the internet, maybe of experimental or niche applications that are not approved or published on the Google Play Store, whether it is to take advantage of third-party virtual stores such as Epic Games Store or AppGallery, Android in this it has always been head and shoulders above the direct competitor.
4. Create new users and guest accounts
The multi-user mode and the ability to use a guest account are a blessing for users who share their tablet (and why not, even their smartphone) with other family members or friends. On Android devices this feature was introduced with Android 5.0, while Apple has completely ignored it over the years.The feature allows you to maintain your privacy if your children or friends use your device, by switching to another user or a guest account before delivering the product into their hands. Each user can have separate passwords, data and applications.
The multiple user function also offers an option to customize call and SMS settings. You can choose to allow calls and SMS notifications for other users. Also, you can install apps directly from other users, instead of downloading them again, and an app will be updated separately for each user.
5. Access internal memory via USB cable
When connected to a computer via a USB cable, iPhones only allow access to photos and videos. An Android device, on the other hand, offers access to the entire internal memory, allowing you to share any file between a smartphone and a desktop.If you do not want to use any of the functions, you can always select No data transfer for simply recharge your phone when connected to a computer.
6. Customize every aspect of your smartphone
Customization options have always been quite limited on iPhones. With iOS 14, Apple introduced some features such as an app drawer and widgets on the home screen, but iOS is still a long way off what an Android smartphone offers.From changing icon packs to using different launcher, an Android device offers a plethora of possible tweaks. The Google Play Store offers numerous third-party icon packs, and some smartphones even have a pre-installed Themes app that allows users to change the look of the entire system and change fonts or icon packs, all in one place.
Customizations on Android don't end there. With the home screen settings, you can change the grid size, hide icons, and show notification count on app icons. Also, you can change the default launcher if you want to use an alternative that offers even more customizations.
iOS 16 will reduce the gap thanks to the ability to customize the lock screen, but the feature is still not accessible to the majority of users.
7. Always-on display
Many Android smartphones have a feature that allows you to check specific information, such as weather, notifications or battery percentage, without having to turn on the entire screen. This feature is commonly called Always-on display or AOD.You can customize the AOD to display app notifications, date and time, music playing, weather alerts, and more . This feature is very useful and saves battery for smartphones with OLED displays.
If your device does not have a native AOD feature, you can always download a third-party application from the Google Play Store. The iPhone does not have this feature or third-party applications on the App Store that enable it, although this may change with the iPhone 14 according to the latest rumors.
