If you’ve decided to switch from an iPhone to one of the best Android phones or if you tend to use both an iOS and Android device, you don’t necessarily need to ditch iCloud. You can continue to use iCloud services via Android and access your important data. You can also access key features such as Find My, view your iCloud emails and continue to use some apps.
Here we take a look at how you can achieve all of this. It’s not going to give you the same, smooth, seamless experience you’d get through the Apple ecosystem, but it works and, as we will explore, it’ll make your life and workflow a little easier.
1. Launch the website
Open a web browser on your Android device and you can go to iCloud.com. Tap the Sign In button then enter your Apple ID and select Continue with Password.
After you enter your password and press the arrow, you may be asked to enter a verification code or verify access to your account using a Security Key. You can, however, tap Trust to get around this for subsequent visits.
Only do so if you’re the sole user of that Android device, to prevent unwanted future access.
2. Find your way around
You will be able to see the iCloud web client and this allows you to access your Mail, Photos, Drive, Notes, Reminders, Invites and Find My.
Just tap one of the icons to open the relevant app and you’ll be able to access the data. It’s certainly worth familiarizing yourself with how to track an iPhone via a web browser because you never know when it may come in handy.
Scroll further and you’ll see how much storage you have and you’ll be able to access files for some Apple apps including Keynote.
You may want to add this website as a shortcut to your Android home screen to make it easier to access.
3. Manage the iCloud screen
You don’t need to stick to the default order of iCloud features. Tap the square-dotted icon in the top-right corner and you can select Customise Home Page to reorder them and remove bits you don’t like.
This menu also gives you access to iCloud+ features such as Hide My Email. It’s always worth exploring.
4. Use an email app
Using the web client is a clumsy way to access your emails. You’ll find it more straightforward to access an iCloud email account using an email app. There’s a bit of setting up to do but it’s painless enough.
To start, visit the Apple Account website and sign in using your Apple Account. Then select Sign in and Security and click App-SpecificPasswords.
When prompted, select Generate an app-specific password, enter something identifiable such as Email for Android and select Create. Confirm your password and an app-specific password will appear.
Don’t forget the password you’re shown because you’ll need it for the next step.
5. Add your email in Android
Open the Settings app on your Android device and tap the option to view your accounts. Choose to manage the account, tap Add account then select Personal (IMAP).
Enter your iCloud email address and the password that was created. Your iCloud emails can now be accessed using the Gmail app on your Android device.
6. Use Apple apps
Finally, you should be aware that, despite the rivalry between Apple and Android, you can still use some Apple apps. The Google Play Store lets you install Apple Music, Apple Music Classical and Apple TV.
There is also an app called Tracker Detect which allows you to locate AirTags.
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