Android and iOS aren't as different as you might think they are these days. Everyone has their own favorite platform, but as both operating systems have grown up, they have taken the same steps that their smartphone competitors took first.

But if you're thinking about moving from Android or iOS to Apple, you should know that Apple's mobile experience isn't perfect. Here are the things about the move that bothered us the most. If you can handle these, you might make it.

Since the beginning of the iPhone OS in the late 2000s, Apple has had trouble keeping track of 

notifications. Even though Apple tried to catch up to Android's good but not perfect system, the latest changes to iOS were a step back.

No longer are notifications right in the middle of your lock screen. Instead, they have been moved to the bottom of the screen to put more attention on your picture. No matter how cute that sounds, it makes the iPhone less useful. If you change the usual Stack view in Settings to List view, it feels like iOS 15, which isn't very good.

Android's way of putting apps together makes more sense and it helps with everything from managing emails to sending texts to posting on social media. You can also quickly reply to most alerts, making it faster and easier to send answers without opening apps. Also, most of the control over notifications is done through an app instead of the system options.

On iOS, you'll have to dig through Apple's settings menu to find the service you're looking for. Then you can change how your alerts look. Scheduled Summary is still great, so it's not all bad, but alerts need a lot more input to be useful.

A major component of Google's productivity suite may not work on iOS. Linking your services might be difficult, and the applications aren't always straightforward. Open a Gmail Maps link. Rather than utilizing a default app to load into navigation, you may need to go through extra options to obtain instructions to a location.

It's worse with some Google iOS products. The most obvious is Gboard. It's favorite iOS third-party keyboard, but it's not fantastic. Apple allows you to change alternative keyboards, maps, and browsers on its phones, but they must meet certain specifications. Safari's rendering engine powers Chrome. You can access your desktop bookmarks, but it won't be as well as on Android or desktop.

Google has used Android's design language for years. That's changed throughout the years. Android enthusiasts may be frustrated when the corporation releases new features to iOS before Android.

Meanwhile, several of the company's most popular products, like its productivity suite are missing important functionality. Docs doesn't support triple-tapping paragraphs. Forms, charts, and tables aren't available on iOS Sheets. Since Android can accomplish most of those things, that's frustrating.

It's restrictive, like Google Drive. Drive lets Android users access documents. It opens Google Docs on iOS. It is frustrating. Despite these issues, Google applications remain popular. You're better off utilizing the company's Android applications until these difficulties are resolved.

iOS customization has improved from its early days. Wallpapers didn't materialize on the home screen for years, leaving users with a black background. Widgets make the iPhone more vibrant, and icon modification is feasible if you can use Apple's headache-inducing tools. That's not to mention the company's lock screen redesign in iOS 16, which has left many AP employees envious.

The layout of your iOS experience is limited. Apple moves every app or widget to the first available position on the screen, snapping your content up and to the left. This can clutter the UI, albeit iOS 14's App Library helped. For a firm that wants alerts as near to your thumb as feasible, app icons should follow suit. Unfortunately, no.

It's irritating that iOS restricts widgets. Filling your screen with widgets is the only way to optimize their utilization, which can make layouts overwhelming.

Finally, app icons. iOS added a workaround to modify icon graphics. The Shortcuts app and a custom icon may create an app shortcut. The app launches after clicking it. It's an unnecessary step when they could support third-party app icons.

Even without third-party launchers, changing Android app icons is difficult. It's less of a workaround. It's easier to alter the icon's look with settings. It's similar to iOS's Shortcut’s system, but it allows you greater control over your phone's appearance.

iOS's success was founded on the App Store. Launched with iPhone OS 2, the App Store has become one of the company's main revenue generators by hosting developers of various sizes. The company's iOS monopoly caused Epic to sue, which it basically won. Samsung and Google phones have more app options than iPhones, but Apple is still suffering from its software monopoly.

Android's Play Store is like the App Store. As expected, it received criticism and Epic and Fortnite's departure. Apple restricts its users, whereas Android is open. If you don't like the Play Store, don't use it. Any APK file may be installed on your device with sideloading. F-Droid, Aptoide, and Amazon's Appstore are good alternatives if that sounds risky.

It's improving slowly. After EU pressure, Apple opened its shop to competition. Third-party retailers will arrive in Europe. Other iPhone users won't want to be left out; therefore, Apple will be under pressure to introduce the same openness to iOS in America and abroad (or legislation may again compel them to).

Apple's iOS ecosystem is what you buy. If you have a Mac or iPad, that's enjoyable and thrilling for many. For others, it may be hell. Apple's Lightning connector is still needed for many gadgets, making switching from USB difficult. This is improving—EU rules have again pushed Apple to transition, new models like certain iPads now use USB-C, and the Lightning cord looks to be on its way out—but it's not definite yet.

Other restrictions apply to accessories. If you don't like the Apple Watch's square look, sorry. Some of our favorite wearables operate on iOS, but the Google Pixel Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 don't.

As far as cases and other third-party accessories go, the iPhone has the most. However, you'll need to accept some substantial restrictions, especially for accessories that function across platforms.

Android gives you alternatives. You can typically leverage new Android features or find another approach. You may swap manufacturers if necessary, so even major hardware upgrades are conceivable.

Apple's selection is limited. Choose Apple. If Apple removes anything, you must too.

Due to feature obsolescence, iOS phases out previous iPhones. FaceID may be a major culprit. FaceID or no biometrics is required for new iPhones. If you prefer a fingerprint scan, the iPhone no longer has it. When authoritarian choices eliminate characteristics you enjoyed, you may start missing them.

Therefore, making the transfer from Android to iOS might be difficult, although a lot of this is subjective. You only need the appropriate tweaks to make iOS more resemble Android in both appearance and operation.