Why Microsoft Asked Employees in China to Stop Using Android Phones and Only Use iPhones in the Office

Microsoft plans to implement significant cybersecurity measures in China that will require all employees to use Apple iPhones for work and stop using Android devices, according to an internal memo seen by Bloomberg News.

Starting this September, the tech giant will restrict corporate access from Android devices in China, affecting hundreds of employees across the country. The move is part of Microsoft’s global Secure Future Initiative (SFI), which aims to standardize cybersecurity practices for employees.

Only iPhones at work, no Android phones
The memo, as reported by Bloomberg, states that employees based in China will soon be required to use only Apple devices to verify their identities when logging into their work computers or phones. The order underscores the growing divergence between the Chinese and foreign mobile ecosystems, especially in China’s fragmented Android app store landscape.

Unlike Apple’s App Store, Google Play isn’t available in China, forcing local smartphone makers like Huawei and Xiaomi to run their own platforms. Microsoft’s decision to block access from these devices stems from the lack of Google’s mobile services in the country, according to an internal message.

To facilitate this transition, Microsoft will make iPhone 15 devices available as a one-time purchase to employees who currently use Android phones. The company plans to make these iPhones available for pickup at various hubs in China, including Hong Kong, where Google services are available.
The reason for this change is the recent security incidents

The move comes amid growing concerns about Microsoft’s security, with Bloomberg reporting that the company has faced repeated attacks from state-sponsored hackers, including a Russia-linked breach disclosed in January that affected dozens of U.S. government agencies.

In response to these challenges, Microsoft has committed to its most ambitious security overhaul in two decades through SFI, with executive vice president Charlie Bell emphasizing in May that security has become the company’s top priority, outshining all other functions.

While Microsoft hasn’t publicly addressed this specific policy change in China, it’s in line with the company’s broader efforts to bolster cybersecurity around the world. Those efforts include faster fixing of cloud vulnerabilities, strengthening credential protections and enforcing multi-factor authentication for employees.