iPhones in the EU get ability to set more default apps, delete more built-in ones
Today Apple has announced a new set of changes it's going to implement into its mobile operating systems to better comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act. As a consequence of its "ongoing and continuing dialogue with the European Commission", the company will allow iPhones and iPads in the EU to set non-Apple defaults for more apps - in addition to browser, mail, app marketplace, and contactless apps, you'll also be able to switch to a different default for phone calls, messaging, managing passwords, keyboards, and call spam filters.
All of this will be presented under a new Default Apps section at the top of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18's new Apps settings. The ability to set these new defaults will arrive "in an update later this year". Then, in spring 2025, Apple will add support for setting defaults for navigation apps and translation.
Apple will also let EU users delete more built-in apps. "In an update later this year", its mobile operating systems will let you delete the App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari. Thus, of Apple's apps, only Settings and Phone will not be deletable after this.
Finally, an updated browser choice screen will be shown in the EU to all users who have Safari set as their default browser, even if they have seen a choice screen before. This new choice screen will have additional information about third party browsers, and developers of those browsers will get more data from Apple about the performance of the choice screen.
If you select a different browser as your default through this new choice screen and you had Safari in your Dock or on the first page of your Home Screen, your selected browser will replace the Safari icon in your Dock or on your Home Screen. If your preferred third party browser is already installed, it will open once you've selected it, and if it's not installed, then it will start downloading.