Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) NASDAQ: MSFT) has reportedly informed its employees in China that starting in September, they will be required to use iPhones for work, effectively phasing out Android devices from the workplace.
According to an internal memo reviewed by Bloomberg, Microsoft will mandate that its employees in China use only Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) devices for identity verification when logging into work computers or phones. This policy, part of Microsoft’s global Secure Future Initiative, aims to ensure all staff use the Microsoft Authenticator password manager and Identity Pass app, affecting hundreds of employees across mainland China.
The decision points to the fragmented nature of Android app stores in China and the growing divide between Chinese and international mobile ecosystems. Unlike Apple’s iOS store, Alphabet's (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google Play is unavailable in China, prompting local manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi to operate their own platforms.
Microsoft has chosen to block access from these devices to its corporate resources because they lack Google’s mobile services in China, according to the memo.
Employees using Android phones, including those from Huawei or Xiaomi, will receive an iPhone 15 as a one-time replacement, the report says. Microsoft will distribute these iPhones at various collection points across China, including Hong Kong, where Google’s services are accessible.
Microsoft has not publicly commented on the policy and did not respond to Bloomberg’s inquiries regarding the rationale behind the decision.
The move may draw further attention to the iPhone’s role in China, especially amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington. Since 2023, an increasing number of Chinese government-backed firms and agencies have instructed staff to avoid using foreign devices at work due to security concerns.
The company is looking to improve its global security measures after multiple attacks by state-sponsored hackers. A notable breach linked to Russia, disclosed in January, affected several U.S. government agencies, including the State Department. Microsoft has faced significant pressure and criticism from U.S. legislators to enhance its security protocols.