4 everyday Android features you’ll instantly miss if you switch to an iPhone

Published Aug 22, 2026, 12:45 PM EDT A Computer Engineer turned tech-savvy. Sanya is part of the How to Geek team with experience in writing tech-related blogs. She transforms complex topics into simple, accessible guides. Her forte is in iOS, macOS, and Windows software. Writing is something she truly adores, and she seeks knowledge in everything she encounters. Like most of my friends, I got my first iPhone in high school. However, I have been using Android for the last four years. When I recently dabbled with an iPhone 17, I expected the switch to feel familiar, but I was struck by how much I missed several Android features that I rely on every day. Over the years, my Galaxy S25 Ultra has given me small but useful features that make my daily tasks a lot easier. On an iPhone, those same tasks often felt clunky or operated differently. I know Apple continues to refine its software every year, but I still miss these four everyday Android features. Split screen: multitasking at its peak Because multitasking is addictive Multitasking makes everything feel more productive. The split-screen feature lets you focus on two tasks at a time by opening two apps side by side. Reading an article while taking notes is quite convenient because I don’t have to switch between apps. Yesterday, I was watching Netflix while texting a friend, all on the same screen. My phone also lets me adjust how much screen space each app gets, depending on what I’m doing. For example, let a cooking video on YouTube take up 70% of your screen while tucking the recipe text into the thin strip below. On the iPhone, however, this convenience is still out of reach, and it feels like a step backward. For multitasking, the iPhone supports picture-in-picture for videos and calls, but it does not offer Android-style split-screen for two apps. I’m sure I’ll have a better experience on Android, even if Apple releases its first-ever foldable phone, as rumored. But you’ll still miss this feature on a regular phone. Fingerprint scanner is still hard to beat The small convenience you don’t appreciate until it’s gone Credit: Justin Duino / How-To Geek I’m not saying Face ID is bad; in fact, it does its job remarkably well. However, Touch ID is just more convenient and works in situations where Face ID can get in the way. I can unlock my phone with a quick tap when it’s lying flat on a table, mounted in my car, or when my face is partially covered. When using Face ID, I have to pick up my phone, point it towards me, and make sure the camera can see me to unlock it. There’s a noticeable bit of friction; I feel it several times throughout the day. With a fingerprint sensor, I can start unlocking my phone before it even leaves my pocket. That makes unlocking almost effortless. Facial recognition can be just as quick, but it isn't reliable in every situation. Interestingly, Apple could bring back Touch ID instead of Face ID. It’s one of the features you take for granted. But once you lose it, you’ll start noticing all those little moments when unlocking could have been easier. Back gesture: One swipe to go back almost anywhere Universal way to go back Credit: Adam Davidson / How-To Geek One of the biggest differences I noticed is back navigation, which works the same everywhere on Android. Android wins here with a rock-solid system-level back gesture that lets users go back to the previous screen, cancel a selection, or close a pop-up window every single time across every single application. I don’t need to look for a back gesture as I move through different screens. It's available from either edge of the display. On iOS, the left-edge swipe gesture works, but not across every app, which means the navigation experience isn't always consistent. Take Instagram, for example. To go to the previous chat, the back arrow works, but not when you want to close the photo viewer. For that, you have to swipe down. These small differences add friction. Instead of remembering which gesture or button each screen expects, it’s much easier to rely on one predictable way to go back. Sooner or later, you may find yourself thinking, “I wish I had the same way to go back everywhere.” Your files, your rules More freedom to manage your files Android has offered a more open, computer-like file system for years. On the other hand, iOS still imposes more app sandboxing and restrictions. You can browse your files directly, giving you more freedom to access, manage, store, and move files in bulk on Android. You can get a clear view of your storage and more control over how you organize your files. For example, I can download a file from WhatsApp and move it to another folder using a different app without jumping through extra hoops. I can also download several files or my trip photos and move them to a specific folder, making it easy to organize them all at once. iOS has a more sandboxed approach towards file management. Apple keeps file management more controlled, which makes iOS simpler sometimes, but it also takes away some of the freedom you get on Android. Think twice before making the jump I’m not saying Android wins over iOS in every way. Switching to a different ecosystem made me realize that your smartphone experience should be smooth and consistent. For the way I use my phone, Android has made everyday tasks easier, from multitasking and back navigation to file management. And, of course, Touch ID. iPhones are polished and dependable, but I value Android’s small conveniences more. So, if you are thinking about making the jump to an iPhone, think twice, as you might miss more than you expect.