Microsoft will begin providing iPhones to its employees in China currently using Android devices, according to an internal memo reviewed by Bloomberg News. Starting in September, all Microsoft employees in China must transition to Apple iPhone devices for work-related tasks. This move is part of the company’s efforts to enhance security and ensure access to necessary authentication apps..
Employees using Android phones, including models from Huawei and Xiaomi, will receive an iPhone 15 as a one-time purchase. These iPhones will be available for collection at various hubs across China, including Hong Kong, where Google services are accessible. The shift is mandated only for work-related activities, although employees can still use Android devices for personal purposes.
The decision is driven by the unavailability of Google’s mobile services in China, which prevents Android users from downloading critical security apps like Microsoft Authenticator and Identity Pass. The Apple App Store remains the only platform where these apps can be accessed, making iPhones essential for complying with Microsoft’s security protocols.
The mandatory use of iPhones is part of Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative (SFI), launched in November following a series of cyberattacks. The SFI aims to improve security across the company by leveraging AI to address cloud vulnerabilities, securing credentials, and enforcing multifactor authentication.
The Android app ecosystem remains fragmented in China amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington. According to the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft has also offered to relocate up to 800 employees working on artificial intelligence from China.
