iPhone users can also embrace Google and Microsoft apps. Here’s how.

Rare from the shackles of the Apple ecosystem and embrace Google and Microsoft applications! This article will guide you on how to easily switch to Google and Microsoft apps on your iPhone and take advantage of their capabilities.

This article has been updated. Originally published on January 15, 2018.

Even if you prefer the curvature aesthetics of your iPhone, it doesn't mean you have to rely entirely on Apple's software ecosystem. After all, Google and Microsoft also offer iOS apps that are as good as Apple's default app.

While some apps require extra steps to replace the built-in version, switching is relatively easy, especially if you are already using Google or Microsoft's mailbox and other cloud services. Even if you can switch back to the Apple version at any time, you may find yourself not wanting to do it at all.

How to switch to Microsoft app

If your computer runs a Windows system, has a Surface laptop or tablet, or you just like Microsoft's products, you might like Microsoft's iOS app.

Mail, calendar and contacts

First download Outlook for iOS as your email client. In addition to email, it can also process your calendar and contacts and is compatible with Microsoft and non-Microsoft (such as Apple) user accounts. To import any email, calendar, or contact into the app, enter your email address when the app prompts you. If you want to add more, click the menu button in the upper left corner, then click the Settings button (gear icon), select Add account , and then click Add an email account .

Calls and Messages

Skype for iOS can meet all your video calls, voice calls and messaging needs. However, Apple's mobile platform does not allow any app to take over SMS functionality, so you still need to use its messaging app. Despite this, the Skype app has a simple interface and comprehensive functions, including group chats and group video calls. Your only problem might be to have your friends use it too.

Cloud Storage

You can also replace Apple's cloud storage program iCloud with Microsoft's OneDrive. When you install an app for iOS, it syncs files between your phone and any computer (Windows or macOS) that has the OneDrive desktop client installed. OneDrive also backs up all photos and videos on your phone, but if you have a lot of files, you will need to pay to purchase storage space. Prices start from $2 per month.

Digital Assistant

When you hold down the Home key or the side button of your iPhone, the Siri Digital Assistant is activated. You could have installed Microsoft's Cortana on iOS in the past and started it manually, but the company has stopped its AI's mobile app.

Office Kit

To meet your work needs, you need to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Replace Apple's free Pages, Numbers, and Keynote apps with Microsoft's free Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps respectively.

If you have created a document in your Apple app, you will need to convert it to a format that the Microsoft version can recognize. To do this, please open the file, then click the menu button (three dots in the upper right corner), select Export , and select the corresponding Microsoft format (Word, Excel or PowerPoint). You can also choose how to export files, email them, or save them to your iPhone's local storage.

Web browser

If you install Microsoft Edge web browser on your iPhone, you can sync your bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, etc. with the Edge browser you use on your Windows PC. To set Edge as the default browser, go to your Settings app, click Edge, select Default browser app , and make sure is selected Edge not Safari. So when you click on links in other apps, such as Facebook, they will automatically open in Safari instead of Edge.

Map

Your iPhone should have been quite "Microsoftized" so far, but as a final touch, install Microsoft Bing Search, which acts as a simplified web browser. We prefer to use Edge to browse the internet, but the Bing app contains basic map-search functionality. However, this is closest to replacing Apple Maps with Microsoft products, as there is no Bing Maps app for iOS.

How to switch to Google App

If you decide to choose Google Route instead of Microsoft Route, start with its iconic feature: Google Search App. In addition to searching the internet and Google Maps, it also provides a feed of news and other information that Google organizes based on your previous activities, such as your Chrome browsing history. For a more natural and conversational Google search experience, you can also install Google Assistant.

Email and Contacts

Next, install Gmail for iOS. You can continue your Gmail activity on any other device. Alternatively, connect Gmail to your Apple email address: Click in the upper right corner of your avatar and click to add another account and select iCloud.

Calls and Messages

Similarly, Apple will not let you replace the message with the default SMS app. However, you can still use the Google app manually to achieve the same purpose. Try using Duo for video calls and Google Chat for messaging, phone calls and video chat. While Google Chat remains the most comprehensive option, Google is still adding new features to Duo, making it a great alternative to FaceTime.

Cloud Storage

To back up your data, you can use Google Drive, which syncs all files with your computer, other mobile devices, and your Google Cloud Storage. For larger files, especially your iPhone photos and videos, Google Photos can be easily backed up. When you first install the app, it asks you if you want to back up photos and videos. Remember that everything you save on Google Photos will also consume the free 15GB of storage you get when signing up for a Big G. If you need more space, you can pay Google for additional cloud storage, which starts at $3 per month.

Office Kit

Google has its own office apps for iOS, namely Docs, Sheets and Slides. They are seamlessly connected to the web version so you can create and edit it anytime, anywhere.

If you have created documents in the equivalent iOS app, you may need to reformat them to open them using Google's app. Launch the corresponding Apple application (Pages, Numbers, or Keynote), and open the file you want to transfer. Next, click the menu button (three dots in the upper right corner), select Export , and then select Word, Excel or PowerPoint. After exporting the file, the corresponding Google app will be able to open it.

Web browser

Google Chrome for iOS is not as comprehensive as it is on non-Apple products, but you can download it and set it as your default browser: Go to your Settings app and click Chrome , select Default browser app , and make sure Chrome is selected instead of Safari. Log in to your web browser with your Google account (it should prompt you to do this when you open the app for the first time), and Chrome will transfer all bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, and other data from your computer. You can also make sure the Gmail link is open in Chrome: Open Gmail, click the Menu button (three lines), select Settings , click Default App , and check BrowserTitle to make sure Chrome is selected (if not selected, click Chrome's icon).

Map

Google provides some iOS app types that Microsoft does not provide. For example, you can rely on Google Maps to quickly and safely from point A to point B and find famous nearby locations. If you use the app online or on your Android device, you also know you can get a list of "starred" locations for real-time traffic updates and favorites. If you need a live route, try using the full screen, trajectory-by-step navigation mode.

Music and Video Player

Finally, there are YouTube Music and Google Play Movies & TV, which effectively replace all the features iTunes and Apple Music usually on the iPhone. They allow you to stream music, movies, and TV shows, and even download content for offline access. You can't buy new content directly from iOS, so if you're buying or renting new content, you'll need to pay on your computer or other device before the content will appear on your iPhone.

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