Will transitioning from Android to iPad be a complete culture shock?

Any switch to a new OS has a learning curve. Just as Windows to Mac (or visa versa would be). They're similar, but as each is written by an entirely different company with their own ideas of how things should work, it will take time to find things and get used to how they work.

The number one thing at all times is (using macOS as an example): This isn't Windows. You can't make macOS do things it isn't designed to do.

And that of course goes the other way. A long time Mac user will be just as lost in Windows for a while if they've never used it before, or very little.

SchlockFTW wrote:

However I recently helped a friend set up their new iPad and thought it looked interesting...

If I get a new iPad (2025 iPad 11) will it be a complete culture shock, or fairly easy to get accustomed to apple's way of doing things?

In addition to all the other great comments, I would add the following. If you were able to help your friend set up their iPad and you were curious and interested, it sounds as if you have the right mindset to make the transition.

Experiment. Look at everything in Settings. Push all the (metaphorical) buttons. If things start to feel overwhelming or frustrating, take a break and do something completely different. It's very hard to learn when your frustrated or angry. You won't figure it all out at once, but you'll do fine.

Hard to say, but probably.

Android does things very differently to iOS.

You won't have the ubiquitous back button and many people do stumble with that.

Navigation within apps is handled by the apps, so there is no master back button like on Android.

You'll also likely get used to it eventually, but yeah, it's probably going to be somewhat of a shock at the begging.

The best advice to be give, is forget how you did things on Android. Don't try to do things like you did before and don't expect thing to work the same way.

Also, check you the user guide.

click here ➜ iPad User Guide - Apple Support

Adding to comments made by others...

The iPad User Guide is a rich source of frequently overlooked information about your iPad and iPadOS. The Guide is available both online using a web browser (such as Safari), or as an Apple Books download:

iPad User Guide - Apple Support

https://books.apple.com/book/id1567104892

The Tips App, installed by default on most models of iPad, provides a brief introduction - and leads you to the User Guide. In case you missed it, here is a link to the Tips App:

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/tips/id1069509450

Apple also has a huge YouTube Channel - containing videos and feature guidance:

https://www.youtube.com/user/Apple

I was avid Android user for years. I got tired of random apps being installed on my phone and the phone needing replacement every two years, so I switched. First few days were very difficult for me.

Good luck, and happy computing.

SchlockFTW wrote:

My iPad is arriving from Amazon tomorrow morning. Wish me luck! 🤓

Have fun!!!!!

I use both.

I have had no issues at all.

SchlockFTW wrote:

If it helps at all, I've been a database programmer, and general IT geek for 20 odd years..... But didn't want to try iOS and hate it 😳

You have 14 days to return the iPad if you really hate it.

Also many thanks to everyone who's replied so far. This really is a friendly forum. 👍

If you buy the iPad, come back with all of your questions!

I got the first iPad… was first in line at BEST BUY. Over the years the iPad has become an unbelievable powerfull device. I have two running iPad. One is the newest 13” 2024 fully spec out. The other is 2 iPads before and the same specs as the new one. Just the screen alone blows the old one away.

Side note… I’m an avid YouTube live streamer. With these iPads I can live stream in 4K 60 fps easily. Have 8 cameras hooked up. I can have up to ½ million viewers. And the iPad never fails me. I can go anywhere in world and be living streaming in minutes.

Before and when you get your iPad Youtube has a treasure full of tutorials on how to use and do whatever on the iPad. My advice to you is to use this this free knowledge. I can’t know everything about the iPad and when I need to know how to, YouTube is my first stop.

SchlockFTW wrote:

My iPad is arriving from Amazon tomorrow morning. Wish me luck! 🤓

I use a few apps that have a back button. It’s up to the app developer to have a back button.