Imagine a friend of yours comes around to visit and asks to borrow a charger for his Samsung Note 10. Of course, as an Apple fan, the only cables you use are the USB to lightning connector ones. The only thing your friend can do is either drive miles away to buy a USB-C cable or take a chance that one of your neighbors might have one.
Things can get complicated when you have both Apple and Android devices. They vary in so many ways. Sometimes it’s hard to choose between these two. OK, so maybe you don’t actually own both an Apple and an Android device, but I suspect there are occasions when you use an iPhone and perhaps a Samsung Notebook 7, or maybe you prefer the iPhone 11 whilst someone else in your family prefers the Samsung Note 10.
In that case, how do you share files between devices that use different operating systems?
How do you connect with your dad’s phone to build a family group?
What things do you need to focus on?
1. Problems you may face when you use both Apple and Android devices
iOS and Android are the two mainstream operating systems for smartphones and tablet computers. iOS is developed by Apple and is used on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Android is created by Google and then licensed out to lots of different devices from other manufacturers, such as Samsung, Huawei and LG. Due to the great disparity between these, it’s easy to become frustrated when you are using both Apple and Android devices.
Here are three key disadvantages.
1) Different ecosystems make it harder to share data
Apple has established their own ecosystem across iOS, Google has created an Android ecosystem, and there are even more ecosystems from the companies that use Android on their own devices. Every ecosystem has its strengths and weaknesses, the aim is to provide a seamless experience between devices within their own ecosystems, whilst making it difficult to purchase and use other products on a different platform. The simple truth of the matter is that there is no easy way to access the information on your Apple device on an Android smartphone. If you keep your contacts and calendar events within Apple’s iCloud, you cannot access that data on a Samsung smartphone since there is no iCloud for Android.
2) What you enjoy on one device may not be available on the other
It’s not only the operating system where things are different. The user interfaces and hardware platforms are different too. The iPhone has no back button whereas the Samsung Galaxy S8 has one; the Samsung Note 10 is equipped with an S pen whilst the iPhone and pretty much every other smartphone has to use a third party stylus. You will also find that some apps are solely written for a specific platform. If you use Facetime to make video calls on an iPhone, then you will find that there isn’t Facetime available on Google Play.
3) You need to reconsider your accessories
Since Apple released the lightning dock connector in 2012, all new iPhones use lightning connectors. On the other hand, a large number of Android smartphones are now using the USB-C connector. So, you need to have different charging cables to charge Apple and Android devices.
If you are interested in both Apple and Android devices, you need to be aware of these problems.
But don’t worry, we’ve found a number of solutions to help you.
2. Solutions for users who own Apple and Android devices
1) Sync the data via third-party apps or a computer
Many apps can run on both platforms and will sync across them, such as Facebook, Twitter, Skype Gmail and the like. You just need to download the relevant app from App Store or Google Play and login with the same account. Your information will then sync automatically.
As for local files, if it’s just a small number of files, you could transfer them via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or simply Email them to yourself. However, when the size is larger, use a third-party transfer app or a platform such as Dropbox or WeTransfer. You can use the same way to transfer data on the cloud: export them and transfer them through Dropbox.
If you have a computer, well, that can be very useful. The trick is very similar: connect the first device and export your files and save them to the computer, now connect the second device to your computer, and use the computer to transfer the files over.
2) Learn the differences and try to find alternatives
To unite iOS and Android devices, the first thing to do is familiarize yourself with the exterior differences. Play with the buttons and user interfaces until it’s no longer a hassle for you to switch between two different systems.
Second, know the limitations. Some apps are just for iOS. What if you want to enjoy the same app on both your iPhone and an LG V50? FaceTime is not possible on the LG V50, but you can choose Facebook Messenger or Google Duo and they work on both platforms. Even better is to find an app that’s compatible with many platforms, like Skype for example, which allows you to do video calls, not just on any smartphone but also on Windows PC’s and Mac’s.
3) Buy extra charging cables or a multi-device charging station
It’s not just software that you need to consider, think about hardware, like a case, a screen protector and headphones, etc. Of all the accessories, the one you cannot easily use with both is the charger and charging cable. Charging cables with different types of connectors are necessary. But that produces another problem. One more device means one extra cable. When you have multiple devices, charging can become a real nightmare.
It’s at this point where you might say that wireless chargers can solve the problem since most mobile devices now support wireless charging. Well, only just. Say you purchase one wireless charging station for a single device, now imagine the cable and the power outlet you need to use the wireless charger, it’s still a little messy. Worse still, it’s not very economical.
The best solution is to charge all your devices on a single, multi-device, wireless charger.
Introducing the Air Omni: 6-in-1 Wireless Charger for All Apple Devices
The Air Omni is a powerful and premium 6-in-1 wireless charging station. It is compatible with Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad, AirPods and Apple Watch, as well as other Qi-supported devices and USB-C devices.
1) Cable-free Charging: A Hassle-free Life
Take advantage of the wireless charging feature of your devices. With the Air Omni, you can charge up to 6 devices at the same time, and only one cable is required. One wireless charger for all wireless devices, the perfect way to save yourself from the mess of cables. No more rummaging through your house to find a cable with a USB-C or a lightning connector.
3) Position-Free Charging: Charge with Ease
Have you ever experienced that frustrating moment where you go to pick up your phone from the wireless charging pad only to find that it hasn’t actually charged at all? Most wireless chargers, especially those designed for a single device, only have one coil built-in, so the area for charging is limited. You have to put your phone in exactly the right place or it doesn’t charge properly.
The Air Omni is here to make your charging life much easier, much simpler. The specifically designed internal tri-coils ensure position-free charging, so there is no need to worry about finding that sweet spot. You can put your phone anywhere. Charging has never been easier or faster.
4) Fast Charging: Save Time for Something Important
Do you ever panic when you are about to leave the house and your phone has only got a 20% charge left? We don’t want to waste time waiting for a charge but sometimes it’s inevitable.
Never fear, it’s the era of fast charging, waiting is kept to a minimum. See what fast charging can bring you. The Air Omni supports both 7.5W and 10W fast charging, as well as 18W fast charging when your phone/iPad is connected to the terminal, which will charge your phone to 50% within 30 minutes.
Time is valuable, save yours for something more important.
5) Exotic and Elegant: Beauty is an Enjoyment
I’m guessing that your desk is full of beautiful decorations. Imagine you put a lousy wireless charging dock on it, what a blot on the landscape!
Made from 100% genuine aramid fiber and zinc alloy, the Air Omni has an exotic look and feel to it. With such a premium quality wireless charging station on your desk, it will help to make things look organized and fashionable.
In Conclusion
Apple and Android devices offer different functions and require different software and hardware. It’s difficult to blend two different things together but it’s not impossible. Follow our tips above and you shouldn’t feel frustrated when you have to deal with iOS and Android at the same time.
Lastly and most importantly, don’t forget to get a multi-device wireless charger that enables you to put those devices together and charge them all at the same time, with ease.