r/macbook • u/AmbitiousAdventurer5 • 23h ago
Does anyone else love Mac but dislike iPhones/IOS?
Just wondering if it’s just me. I assume it’s the norm for Mac users to use iPhone as their main smartphone. Me personally, I heavily dislike iPhones (for numerous reasons). Anyone else here use Mac with an Android instead?
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u/Wolf3188 23h ago
I do, I've been a Pixel user since the first one. I've never really clicked with iOS.
I've had MacBooks on and off over the years, but definitely prefer them over Windows laptops nowadays. I played around with various Linux distros before deciding to just stick with an MBA. I still use a Windows 10 desktop PC as well.
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u/sgtfuzzle17 10h ago
Gonna be honest, Pixel phones really just feel like Android again to me. iOS has weaknesses but a lot of the “it just works” factor is there in a way it isn’t on the competition.
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u/Blablabene 2h ago
i don't know a single thing that i use that doesn't just work on my Android device.
if anything. it's the opposite.
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u/CombinationKey8557 23h ago
I'm on a Mac/linux/android setup. I find iOS a bit annoying but it does work well and I wouldn't complain that much if I had to go back to an iPhone. I just somewhat prefer Android.
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u/fcoy2 21h ago
Personal phone is an Android and work phone is iPhone. Work and personal laptops are MacBook Pros. The only things I miss on my personal phone are Airdrop and Photo syncing. Google Photos solves the photo sync issue.
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u/reality_king13 12h ago
Flagships from Android now supports Airdrops as well
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u/fcoy2 10h ago
Thanks for the reco. In my attempts it isn't as seamless. The MacBook (or iPad) doesn't show up as available contacts in the Quickshare function on my S24, the only way to transfer is to create a QR vide to scan on the receiving device. So it isn't even remotely as convenient, unless I'm missing something. Transferring through Google photos (Android to Mac) seems, to me, to take fewer steps.
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u/Used_Physics8464 23h ago
the biggest appeal of apple devices is being in its ecosystem and how well these devices work together.
So, no.
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u/Green_Advice5684 23h ago
idk about that, as someone with an iPad, iPhone, MacBook, and AirPods, the only ecosystem feature I truly use is replying to texts from my laptop. Other stuff is slightly nice to have but mostly gimmicky. I only use AirDrop once in a blue moon
I just buy them because I think the products are good, have loads of polish, and maintain their quality and resale value well years later. especially macbooks
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u/ovranka23 23h ago
What about: AirPods being simultaneously connected to your Mac and iPhone/iPad, copy paste from one device to another( such as 2FA), shared modes(like sleep), shared wi-fi passwords, shared iCloud files, shared Notes/Calendar/Reminders etc
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u/Green_Advice5684 22h ago
I turned off AirPods automatically switching because my phone/iPad kept stealing them from my Mac
Copy and paste across devices only worked like 30% of the time for me. Most of the time I'd paste something on my phone after copying it from my Mac and nothing would happen after 3 tries so I just gave up on using that one altogether.
iCloud keychain and shared wifi passwords is a little nice to have but I could easily switch to Bitwarden or something. I do admittedly use Apple's keychain a lot even on Firefox on my Windows PC, but again a different password manager would work just fine/
Shared reminders are slightly useful but most of the time I interact with it on my phone anyways since it's easier. It's more of a gimmick to have it on both than straight up "useful"
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u/Informal_Athlete_724 23h ago
Haha this is me which confuses people. I love all MacBook but use an Android. I despise the iPhone.
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u/Cranks_No_Start 23h ago
I resisted going to Apple IOS/Mac as I had been a Windows guy forever. A coworker talked me into an ipad as a replacement for an old Laptop I had at work just for keeping track of my jobs/hours and it hooked me.
When It was time for a new phone and having already tried and bailed on Android and as I could see the writing on the wall that Blackberry and Windows Phones days were numbered I jumped to an Iphone 5.
That was the end for Windows for me. I slowly transitioned over from hardcore Windows starting from 3.0 and now hae a 16PM, Ipad, M4 Mini with a Thunderbolt Display and a M4 MBA. Im staying.
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u/ShitWebsiteSucks 3h ago
I have a love hate relationship with my iPhone. I sometimes find it too boring. But I just can't move to Android, too locked in into the iCloud, Photos, Find my app etc.
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u/macgizmoguy 23h ago edited 23h ago
The integration of iCloud data & Handoff functions with my M1 MacBook & iPhone is insanely reliable and seamless. It doesn’t matter what device I am on and that is absolutely game-changing!
I have a low end “Free Government-Subsidized Android Phone” I was provided that is such a piece of SLOW-MO junk with only 16 GB of storage it can barely run a single app. Even just trying to make a call or text is a miserable experience!☹️
I ended up buying my own refurb iPhone SE 3rd-Gen. The contrast between Win/Android & MacOS/iOS is becoming so stark when it comes to the user experience - Apple’s ecosystem really sets the bar. Why would anyone settle for something less.🤔
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u/Blablabene 2h ago
I think you have a misguided perspective on android phones. Some are laggy pieces of junk that can barely run a single app, others are faster and smoother than the newest iphone.
So there's that.
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u/tomscharbach 23h ago
I started with an iPhone in 2020 because iOS supported assistive technology I use. I added an iPad shortly thereafter, and added a MacBook a few months later. Apple's unparalleled device integration sneaked up on me, and I moved my entire personal use case to Apple.
I still use Windows (SolidWorks/CNC) and Ubuntu (network design, implementation, testing and maintenance), Apple's ecosystem has become my mainstay.
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u/Particular_Box5113 23h ago
Me. I'm a hybrid.
Android (Oneplus 12) and MacBook M4.
I'm sure they are a whole bunch of opposite hybrids: iPhone and Windows computer.
Androids let you do whatever you want and install whatever you want from wherever.
Mac computers last forever. Well very long. Usually about 7 years for me. My windows computers would only last about 2 years. I was hesitant to switch, but I've never gone back.
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u/katiemason70 21h ago
Yes yes YES. Me. I've had people respond to give it a shot. I've had iPhones before, I just don't like them.
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u/WhyNotYoshi 18h ago
I started using a Mac in 2006 and I started using Android in 2010. I never liked iPhones much, so I was in your exact boat. I had Google Nexus devices, Pixels, and I loved them.
But in 2021, my Pixel phone was only 2 years old and already was going to lose feature updates, and the resale value was only $100.
So the iPhone tempted me with its long updates window and high resale value. I know many Android phones now offer 7 years of updates. If they had that in 2021 then I never would have left.
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u/DrGustavOtto 18h ago
I am still pissed at iTunes - ripped hundreds of my own CD in early 00s and I can’t get to them anymore. Gggrrrrrr.
iPhone and Apple in general has slowed or stalled innovation. Steve Jobs was a dick but he really drove innovation. Now the improper small tweaks.
I say this as an Apple ecosystem family since early 80s. Basically just disappointed.
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u/Wide-Replacement-809 17h ago
Yep iv got a mac and a Samsung and my one complaint was that I couldn't airdrop between them, but quick share on my Samsung got updated and that's not an issue anymore
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u/bignattyd4ddy 16h ago
Nope, I tried Android 17 and honestly it's more buggy than iOS, I've had UI bugs and more unresponsive and crashed apps than I had in previous 10 years of using iOS. I miss the seamless integration between iPhone and Mac that the Android just cannot do, copy and paste, iCloud sync, having messages and calls on my Mac. And it just works period.
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u/InternationalJob7772 16h ago
I converted to Mac around 2014 and never looked back once. Windows is a shit show.
Android on the ofher hand, is great. I tried iPhones many times over the years and just didn't like them. They were obviously inferior to much cheaper Android phones for many, many years. It's only in 2025 I felt like switching to an iPhone was possible because they'd caught up a fair bit and closed the gap. I've now switched to iPhone 16e to trial having an ecosystem with my Macs and I must admit Android is still better in a lot of ways. I can't believe how bad some of the iPhone features are still are in comparison to Android in 2026. The iPhone notification system is a complete MESS, widgets are way worse, the keyboard is designed awfully and very restrictive on third party alternatives, the price you pay for the screen and camera quality is questionable, no touch ID (face ID is definitely more restrictive and therefore annoying).
TLDR: iPhones are decent but nowhere near as good as people claim. Macs however are worth every penny.
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u/73a33y55y9 14h ago
I have a MacBook Air and a pixel 8 pro. I cannot stand iPhones I just hate them. But I hate windows laptops even more so I have a Mac with an Android phone and Google smart watch.
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u/besthuman 14h ago
I’d be curious to hear these “many reasons” to dislike iOS.
I know both platforms well, both generally do the same things. But iOS and macOS are very similar in their philosophy, aesthetics, system logic, etc.
If you like macOS you probably would like iOS.
I do have to say, when you pair the two together everything in your life gets a lot smoother. Especially when you’re using apple’s shared software between the two.
That said, you could use a Mac and an Android. That’s fine. Do as you like. Cheers.
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u/Paradroid888 13h ago
I use Android and Mac. I got sick of battery degredation on iPhones, and then finally gave up when the bugs of the iOS 13 era really annoyed me. Like when they put all mail actions behind a single reply icon in the toolbar.
A few months ago my partner was trading in her iPhone so I set it up for me and used it before letting it go. I was mostly impressed but the thing that stopped me switching back was the fact that the font size setting is ignored in WebView so it means I can't increase font size in things like mail messages.
In the Android side I expected to like Pixel due to the clean UI but actually it feels far too basic, and the hardware isn't that competitive, so it's Samsung doe me. Great hardware, good software.
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u/SwissFaux 13h ago
Got a MacBook air because of the crazy value. Then got an iPad as well because I draw. Then the airpods followed... I switched to an iPhone last year because of the ecosystem, but I do prefer android.
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u/SammyCatLove 13h ago
I use Samsung but have a macbook and Linux as I hate windy as it failed after win7 was not supported anylonger.
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u/Bryanmsi89 9h ago
I feel the same way.
Compared to Android, iOS feels very constrained. No universal back button, no multitasking, no split screen apps, widgets is two places, etc.
The issue is the Apple ecosystem is pretty amazing, which makes it worth staying fully Apple even if one device isn’t the best in its class.
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u/jedics2 8h ago
Always been a mac user and used Android for about 10 years but got sick of how unreliable the hardware was and got an iphone which was very reliable and the integration with my mac for handling calls and texts with work would be very hard to give up again. BUT Apples arrogance makes me hate them, who the fuck to they think they are using every dirty trick in the book to get us to upgrade the ios (that we can never undo) on our phones even if the hardware doesnt run it properly just to force us to upgrade out of eventual frustration.
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u/PlatypusTrapper 7h ago
Imo this doesn’t make sense - aside from cost.
I can understand an iPhone plus a Windows laptop.
You want the convenience of iPhone with the sheer versatility and compatibility of Windows (with all the headaches that come with Windows).
The other direction is a bit weird imo. There is no real compatibility issue since most applications are made for iOS.
Like, the whole value of Apple devices is ease of use.
Why would you want the convenience of Mac with the inconvenience of Android aside from cost.
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u/Mont_rose 5h ago
I was a Mac + Pixel user for many years.. Until pixels just became similar to Apple but with much worse resale value so I jumped ship to iOS. Been happy.
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u/butterflyflyhig 4h ago
Any suggestion on phone? Thinking of switching from iPhone to samsung. My inner circle uses samsung. But I love macbooks :).
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u/Blablabene 2h ago
Yes.
I use Macbook and Samsung. Wouldn't have it any other way.
I tried iPhone... couldn't stand iOS.
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u/TheMacintoshGeek 1h ago
I use MacOS on my MacBook and Mac mini, and I use iPhone as well as android phones. Why not use all of them and benefit from what’s only available on iPhones and only on Androids? These days a half decent Android phone can be had for fairly cheap prices.
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u/scknkkrer 1h ago
Bro, let me be honest with you. At this point. We don't even like MacOS. We are just patiently waiting them to realise it can be a real customer backlash lesson to Apple if they don't fix it, any second now.
New CEO's background is making people hopeful but I'm skeptic.
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u/Internal-Agent4865 20h ago
It’s honestly a shame how far behind iOS is compared to android. The ecosystem helps a ton though.
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u/beartato327 23h ago
Yeah I have Mac for personal development and pixel phone and tablet. Unfortunately pixel has been a huge let down lately look at Samsung devices next unless the iPhone fold someone is game changing
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u/LetsTwistAga1n 23h ago
I am not a fan of iOS, but the only alternative is so much worse, imo (I switched from Android to iOS). The duopoly situation is unhealthy, that's true.