7 Things You Can Do on Android Phones but Not on iPhone

iPhone is known to always be behind when it comes to features

The debate to find out which is better between Android and iOS will never end.  Over the years, both have brought many UI improvements and changes, in addition to a few features that are not much different.

However, apart from the new things that Apple has given to iOS, it turns out that there are still many things that are exclusive to Android, aka cannot be used on iOS or felt by iPhone users.  Anything?

1. Create more than one user account

Multiple Users and Guest Mode are features that are very helpful for users who also share cellphones with family or other people.  Although used by many people, this feature still maintains the privacy of the main user from other users.

Each user can have different passwords, data, and applications.  In addition, other users can also directly install applications from the main user without having to download again on the Play Store.  On Android, this one feature was first introduced through Android 5.0 in 2014.

2. Accessing internal storage via USB cable

When connected to a PC via a USB cable, the iPhone only gives users access to photos and videos.  Android, on the other hand, gives users the freedom to access everything on their internal and external storage.

From there, users can easily share files from Android to PC or vice versa.  Not only that, Android also has a “USB tethering” option to use your cellphone as a source of internet connection for a connected PC.  If you don't want to share files, users can also choose the “No data transfer” option to only charge.

3. Customize the home screen

The options for home screen customization have always been limited on the iPhone.  In iOS 14, Apple introduced some new features like the App Library and Home Screen Widget, but they are still far behind what Android has to offer.

From changing the icon design to using a different launcher, Android has a myriad of ways to customize the home screen.  Some others include changing the size or configuration of the app fields, hiding certain apps, and showing the accumulated number of incoming notifications in the app icon.

4. Duplicate apps

On Android, users can duplicate apps and use two different accounts on each app.  For example, if a user wants to have two WhatsApp numbers in one cellphone, then they just have to duplicate WhatsApp and sign in with a new account or number in the cloned application.

Some brands such as Xiaomi, Samsung, and OnePlus bring features by default and can be accessed in settings.  However, if it doesn't exist, users can easily download an app multiplier app on the Play Store for free.

5. Changing the default application

The support of switching default apps has always been something that makes iPhones seem less user-friendly.  After iOS 14 was released, the iPhone did provide the option to change the default application but only for the e-mail and browser applications.

Android on the other hand is much more “open”, where users can switch all the default apps from phone apps, messages, digital assistants, and more to third-party apps that may have a better UI and more features.

6. Using the always-on display

Almost all Android phones today, especially those using AMOLED panel displays, feature an always-on display that allows users to view information such as weather and battery percentage without having to turn on the screen.

If desired, users can also change other types of information displayed such as date and time, app notifications, set music, and so on.  Always-on display is one of the best features of Android so far, because on the other hand it also helps save HP battery life.

7. Installing a custom ROM

Custom ROMs are modified versions of the Android operating system that generally offer better functionality and more complete and in-depth customization.

Custom ROMs have many advantages, one of which is "advancing" Android phones because custom ROMs usually come with the latest Android operating system.

In addition, custom ROMs also allow users to get root access more easily.  Root access helps users to do things like overclocking, installing custom mods, and increasing RAM via internal storage.

That was a review of some of the things that can be done on an Android phone but not on an iPhone.  With some of the exclusive features above, do you think Android can be said to be superior to iPhone?

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