Microsoft Corp. has announced a significant policy change for its employees based in China, requiring them to use only iPhones for work starting from September. This move will effectively cut off Android-powered devices from the workplace, as revealed in an internal memo reviewed by Bloomberg News.
The decision is part of Microsoft’s global Secure Future Initiative (SFI), which aims to enhance the security of the company’s operations worldwide. As part of this initiative, Chinese-based employees will be required to use Apple Inc. devices to verify their identities when logging in to work computers or phones. This measure will affect hundreds of workers across the Chinese mainland and ensure that all staff use the Microsoft Authenticator password manager and Identity Pass app.
The policy highlights the fragmented nature of Android app stores in China and the growing differences between Chinese and foreign mobile ecosystems. Unlike Apple’s iOS store, Google Play is not available in China, leading local smartphone makers like Huawei Technologies Co. and Xiaomi Corp. to operate their own platforms. Microsoft has decided to block access from these devices to its corporate resources due to the lack of Google’s mobile services in the country, according to the memo.
As part of the transition, any staff using Android handsets, including those made by Huawei or Xiaomi, will be provided with an iPhone 15 as a one-time purchase. The company will make these iPhones available for collection at various hubs across China, including Hong Kong, where Google’s services are accessible.
Microsoft has not publicly addressed the issue and did not respond to queries from Bloomberg about the reasons behind the decision. However, the company has been ramping up security efforts worldwide after facing repeated attacks from state-sponsored hackers. In January, a breach linked to Russia affected dozens of US government agencies, including the State Department, prompting significant pressure and criticism from legislators for Microsoft to improve its security measures.
In May, Executive Vice President Charlie Bell emphasized the company’s commitment to security, stating, “We are making security our top priority at Microsoft, above all else — over all other features.” Microsoft has pledged its most ambitious security overhaul in two decades with the SFI. Among other steps, the company plans to address cloud vulnerabilities more rapidly, make it harder for hackers to steal credentials, and automatically enforce multifactor authentication for employees.
This latest move underscores Microsoft’s dedication to bolstering its security framework and ensuring the protection of its corporate resources, particularly in regions with complex mobile ecosystems like China.
