Google's Motorola arm is attempting to streamline the process for iPhone users to switch to its flagship Moto X device by enabling it to extract contacts and calendar events from iCloud backup files. The new tool was announced yesterday by Motorola vice president of product manamgenet Punit Soni on Google+ (via GigaOM).

motorola_icloud_service
The service, which also has an official support page, is powered by syncing service Mark/Space and is done through Motorola's MotoMaker web service, which allows users to customize the color and details of a Moto X device. The iCloud transfer service can be intiatied after a user has bought a Moto X from MotoMaker and selects the "I have an iPhone" option from within the Migrate feature, and transfers the data to a Google Account after the user has signed into their iCloud acocount.

Addressing the new iCloud migration tool, Soni notes that "There is a long way to go, but its a start", which may indicate that the transfer service will see updates in the future.

Motorola originally announced the Moto X in August, with the device including a number of features such as a 720p AMOLED display and Touchless Control via Google Now integration. In February, handset manufacturer HTC launched a similar service for iPhone owners switching to the HTC One, but offered data migration direct from iPhone backups, which transfers more data compared to Motorola's iCloud sync service.

Top Rated Comments

KazKam Avatar
150 months ago
Yeah, that's why I don't switch to an Android phone, because I'm worried about transferring my iCloud data. /s

o.O
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Someyoungguy Avatar
150 months ago
I tried switching, and now I'm happily back, and it wasn't because of missing iCloud synch. They still need to solve photo and iTunes music synch, device backups that are thorough and reliable, and lots of usability issue with Android.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
djtech42 Avatar
150 months ago
Have to admit this is a smart move
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kevinpdoyle Avatar
150 months ago
Yeah, that's why I don't switch to an Android phone, because I'm worried about transferring my iCloud data. /s

o.O

I doubt this is aimed at tech board readers so much as people who were on the fence about switching but don't want to deal with the hassle of transferring from one OS to the other. This is for the casual phone user and not the pro user.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Farplaner Avatar
150 months ago
I found it interesting that they just plain ask for your icloud username and password. If this wasn't Motorola it would basically be a security risk :o
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Solomani Avatar
150 months ago
Yeah, that's why I don't switch to an Android phone, because I'm worried about transferring my iCloud data. /s

o.O

I'm sure that for the majority of people who prefer iOS over Android to begin with, among the Top Ten Reasons.... "Because I desperately gotta have my iCloud!" is simply not one of them.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

10 Products Still Coming From Apple in 2025

Friday April 11, 2025 4:14 pm PDT by
Apple may have updated several iPads and Macs late last year and early this year, but there are still multiple new devices that we're looking forward to seeing in 2025. Most will come in September or October, but there could be a few surprises before then. We've rounded up a list of everything that we're still waiting to see from Apple in 2025. iPhone 17, 17 Air, and 17 Pro - We get...
iPad Pro iPadOS

iPadOS 19 Will Be 'More Like macOS' in Three Ways

Sunday April 13, 2025 6:43 am PDT by
A common complaint about the iPad Pro is that the iPadOS software platform fails to fully take advantage of the device's powerful hardware. That could soon change. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said that iPadOS 19 will be "more like macOS." Gurman said that iPadOS 19 will be "more like a Mac" in three ways:Improved productivity Improved multitasking Improved app window management...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Foldable iPhone Resolutions Leak With Under-Screen Camera Tipped

Monday April 14, 2025 3:12 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone (or "iPhone Fold") will feature two screens as part of its book-style design, and a Chinese leaker claims to know the resolutions for both of them. According to the Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station, the inner display, which is approximately 7.76 inches, will use a 2,713 x 1,920 resolution and feature "under-screen camera technology." Meanwhile, the...
M6 MacBook Pro Feature 1

Waiting for the Perfect MacBook Pro? 2026 Might Be the Year

Thursday April 10, 2025 4:19 am PDT by
Apple in October 2024 overhauled its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end models, display changes, and more. That's quite a lot of updates in one go, but if you think this means a further major refresh for the MacBook Pro is now several years away, think again. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said he expects only a small...
Apple Vision Pro with battery Feature Blue Magenta

Vision Pro 2 Rumored to Have Two Key Advantages Over Current Model

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:15 am PDT by
Apple is working on a new version of the Vision Pro with two key advantages over the current model, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Specifically, in his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple is developing a new headset that is both lighter and less expensive than the current Vision Pro, which starts at $3,499 in the U.S. and weighs up to 1.5 pounds. Gurman said Apple is also...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: New iOS 19, iPhone 17, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 Leaks

Friday April 11, 2025 7:13 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we catch up on the latest iOS 19 and watchOS 12 rumors, upcoming devices, and more. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Detailed new renders from leaker Jon Prosser claim to provide the best look yet at the complete redesign rumored to arrive in iOS 19, showing more rounded elements, lighting effects, translucency, and...
top stories 2025 04 12

Top Stories: iOS 19 and iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, Siri Revamp Turmoil, and More

Saturday April 12, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
It was a big week for leaks and rumors in the Apple world, with fresh claims about iOS 19, the iPhone 17 Pro, and even the 20th anniversary iPhone coming a couple of years from now. Sources also spilled the tea on the inner turmoil at Apple around the Apple Intelligence-driven Siri revamp that has seen significant delays, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! iOS ...
iPhone 16e Feature

iPhones, Macs, and Other Apple Devices Exempted From Trump Tariffs

Saturday April 12, 2025 9:44 am PDT by
Apple and other electronics manufacturers have received a break from Trump's reciprocal tariffs, with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency sharing a long list of products excluded from the levies last night. iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watch, and other Apple devices will not be subject to the 125 percent tariffs that have been put in place on imported Chinese goods, nor will Apple...