Turn an Android phone to Windows Mobile 10

[alukard]

Hi folks,

I have a Lumia 950XL and its done well so far, but recent system and app updates have started to cripple it here and there. In addition I need some functionality that is not available...yet.

I'm due an upgrade on my network, so I'm looking to get an Android secondary phone. The current flagships are available for a reasonable fee, so it wont be too much of a downgrade in spec. No, HP Elite X3 is not an option.

No I'm not switching, I'm still core Windows, I just have some itches to scratch that WM10 cant until the "surface phone" like device comes around with Redstone 2.
Which is what my query is about. I want to ask you knowledgeable folks to advise me on how I can turn an android phone into a windows phone.
I'm not talking about rooting or hacking, I mean use the multiplatform apps Microsoft has on the play store to basically pretend to be on Windows.

I know how crap android is at handling system resources and all the junk it accumulates that a mobile OS shouldn't. Thus I want a solution with the least load on the device overall.

I know it wont be a complete mask, and I'm ok with that.

So over to you, my WinFriends. Please advise.

 

[libra89]

Get SquareHome Launcher to have that look. Outlook is available on Android.

 

[EspHack]

you want to flash w10m into an android phone? only a xiaomi phone can do that afaik, there were talks about oneplus I think, nothing else, you could give it a try on the hacking community they will surely assist you in your experiment

but short answer is no, you cant pick up an android phone and install w10m on it like a desk-laptop pc, if only the world were so reasonable...

 

[harishairi]

What windows phone is lacking is google services integration. I mean, microsoft must make effort to allow google to make apps for windows mobile. This move can attract people to windows phone. For example, i am at Mihara, Japan right now and i am depending on google maps, google now to get weather updates, traffic updates and map info which being updated progressively to my android phone during my movement here. But i also bring my Lumia 930 here to take pictures, because the camera is very very good.

 

[Hypnopottamus]

"Launcher 8 WP style" is probably the best WP UI emulator on Android as far as similar feel and function. Cortana, Outlook, office, are all available on Android platform too.

 

[daimv]

Originally posted by harishairi
What windows phone is lacking is google services integration. I mean, microsoft must make effort to allow google to make apps for windows mobile. This move can attract people to windows phone. For example, i am at Mihara, Japan right now and i am depending on google maps, google now to get weather updates, traffic updates and map info which being updated progressively to my android phone during my movement here. But i also bring my Lumia 930 here to take pictures, because the camera is very very good.

Unfortunately Google has kind of a grudge against Microsoft. They have purposefully not made any apps for W10M and even stopped others like Waze when they bought them. They have also blocked apps made by Microsoft that used their sites like the old official Youtube app.
There are third party apps to view google maps that are good, though. And the Maps from Microsoft is good too.
It would be cool for google to release official apps on W10M but that seems unlikely at least for now.

 

[alukard]

you want to flash w10m into an android phone? only a xiaomi phone can do that afaik, there were talks about oneplus I think, nothing else, you could give it a try on the hacking community they will surely assist you in your experiment

but short answer is no, you cant pick up an android phone and install w10m on it like a desk-laptop pc, if only the world were so reasonable...

No flashing as stated in the post.

 

[alukard]

What windows phone is lacking is google services integration. I mean, microsoft must make effort to allow google to make apps for windows mobile. This move can attract people to windows phone. For example, i am at Mihara, Japan right now and i am depending on google maps, google now to get weather updates, traffic updates and map info which being updated progressively to my android phone during my movement here. But i also bring my Lumia 930 here to take pictures, because the camera is very very good.

Windows has many Google service third party apps, but its not what I want, I only use my old Gmail. Microsoft services have all I personally need.

 

[Albatross2]

I moved to a Nexus 5x recently from my Lumia 950 DS. The phones are very similar in size, looks, and specs.

I'm frustrated with the move. Yes one can install Outlook and link to one's MS centric accounts from within Outlook, but Outlook can only view contacts. Outlook cannot edit or create contacts, this is a big issue. Well there is a built in contacts app in Android, but in order to use it you have to make Google aware of your accounts. I added my accounts to Android and told it to only sync my contacts. Android ignored my instructions and is clearly syncing my Calendar (probably snooping my email too). This solution does allow me to edit and add contacts, but it is clearly not a perfect solution.

Signed,
Frustrated former Windows Phone Guy

 

[xandros9]

I moved to a Nexus 5x recently from my Lumia 950 DS. The phones are very similar in size, looks, and specs.

I'm frustrated with the move. Yes one can install Outlook and link to one's MS centric accounts from within Outlook, but Outlook can only view contacts. Outlook cannot edit or create contacts, this is a big issue. Well there is a built in contacts app in Android, but in order to use it you have to make Google aware of your accounts. I added my accounts to Android and told it to only sync my contacts. Android ignored my instructions and is clearly syncing my Calendar (probably snooping my email too). This solution does allow me to edit and add contacts, but it is clearly not a perfect solution.

Signed,
Frustrated former Windows Phone Guy

I use Blackberry Services on my 5X, cutting out Google's calendar and contacts solution. The BlackBerry Hub is a force to be reckoned with too.

 

[libra89]

I use Blackberry Services on my 5X, cutting out Google's calendar and contacts solution. The BlackBerry Hub is a force to be reckoned with too.

Interesting solution. So the hub is totally worth it then?

 

[xandros9]

Interesting solution. So the hub is totally worth it then?

To me at least, the whole Blackberry Hub and PIM suite is great. Absolutely worth $1 monthly.

 

[EMitchell]

Don't want to derail the thread, but same question for Apple HW, has anyone successfully ported Windows 10 mobile to an Apple phone? Love the Apple HW, not a fan of the eco system.

 

[libra89]

Don't want to derail the thread, but same question for Apple HW, has anyone successfully ported Windows 10 mobile to an Apple phone? Love the Apple HW, not a fan of the eco system.

I don't think that is even possible.

 

[Guytronic]

how I can turn an android phone into a windows phone

This is Squarehome 2 on an Android phone:

 

[Rosebank]

I moved to a Nexus 5x recently from my Lumia 950 DS. The phones are very similar in size, looks, and specs.

I'm frustrated with the move. Yes one can install Outlook and link to one's MS centric accounts from within Outlook, but Outlook can only view contacts. Outlook cannot edit or create contacts, this is a big issue. Well there is a built in contacts app in Android, but in order to use it you have to make Google aware of your accounts. I added my accounts to Android and told it to only sync my contacts. Android ignored my instructions and is clearly syncing my Calendar (probably snooping my email too). This solution does allow me to edit and add contacts, but it is clearly not a perfect solution.

Signed,
Frustrated former Windows Phone Guy

use Desktop webpages on phone and not Mobile pages and then you can add/remove contacts etc.