Apple has just released its Move to iOS app, which is the company's first app for its rival Android mobile operating system. The app makes it easier for Android device owners to switch to using an iOS-powered device by allowing the users to copy all their data onto an iPhone.
"Everything about iOS is designed to be easy. That includes switching to it," said Apple in the page for the app on the Google Play store. However, one thing that Apple failed to mention is that the Move to iOS app is just a copy of another existing app.
Android news website Phandroid made the discovery that Apple's Move to iOS app is actually a copy of the Copy My Data app, which was developed by Media Mushroom.
Media Mushroom is a company in the United Kingdom that specializes in the synchronization of media and data between devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. The developer currently has two apps listed on the Google Play store and iTunes, namely Copy My Data and Device Switch, with both apps having the function of migrating user data between devices.
Phandroid made the claim that Move to iOS is a copy of Media Mushroom's Copy My Data by taking a look at the app's code. While the package name for the Move to iOS app is correct, the android:name field still says "com.mediamushroom.copymydata."
In addition to the telltale android:name field, Phandroid reports that the two apps are sharing a significant portion of their functionality and code, with all of the strings from Media Mushroom's Copy My Data also included in the rebranded Move to iOS app by Apple. The only variations between the two apps is that Apple's Move to iOS app includes the company's artwork and licensing agreements, along with the removal of the user interface elements that Media Mushroom included for Copy My Data.
Media Mushroom has had its apps on the app stores for both iOS and Android for a while now. With the discovery that Apple's Move to iOS is basically the same as Media Mushroom's Copy My Data, it could be possible that Apple acquired the rights to be able to rebrand Copy My Data into Move to iOS.
Phandroid reached out to Media Mushroom for comment on the matter, but the company has not yet replied.
