Android Beta Code Reveals New iOS Feature to Simplify Platform Switching.

Recent discoveries in the Android 16 QPR1 beta code suggest an imminent feature that will allow wireless eSIM transfer from iPhone to Android. The Google SIM Manager contains strings that indicate iOS 19 may introduce a simplified migration process for users switching from iPhone to Android.

This new method would likely function similarly to the current eSIM transfer capabilities between Android devices, although there is no concrete evidence yet of a “Transfer to iPhone” feature being developed by Google. This revelation is particularly intriguing given the rare instances where Android leaks provide insight into potential iPhone features.

Traditionally, Android and Apple have not collaborated closely. Expert Mishaal Rahman discovered these telltale strings while examining the beta version, which will eventually contribute to the first Android 16 Feature Drop for Google Pixel devices.

The SIM Manager app currently allows for eSIM transfers between Android phones, and the new code hints at a feature that would enable iPhone users to assign their eSIMs to an Android device. The findings include indications that iOS will incorporate a “Transfer to Android” option within the “Transfer or Reset iPhone” menu.

Furthermore, the code states that this wireless transfer will require the other device to be running iOS 19. This feature aligns perfectly with Apple’s expected announcement of iOS 19 during its Worldwide Developers’ Conference in June.

Currently, SIM Manager facilitates eSIM transfers by scanning QR codes, and it is likely that a similar approach will be employed for transfers from iOS. While the exact motivation behind this collaboration remains unclear, the goal of making the migration process smoother benefits users on both platforms.

Industry carriers may also influence this development, as they often encounter challenges with eSIM transfer issues. Although there’s no definitive proof that Google is creating a feature for transferring eSIMs to an iPhone, a reciprocal agreement between the tech giants seems plausible.