Apple has announced several DMA-related changes for iOS and iPadOS users in the EU: Earlier this year, Apple allowed alternative app stores and browser engines in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act, and now the company is going a step further with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, allowing EU users to change even more default apps.
In the EU, Apple plans to introduce a new default apps section in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, where users will be able to see all configurable default apps, including default browser, email, App Store, contactless apps, etc. “In a future software update, users will get new default settings for dialing phone numbers, sending messages, translating texts, navigation, managing passwords, keyboard and call spam filter,” Apple said, adding that default settings for navigation apps and translation will be available in spring 2025.
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Overall, this is a pretty big deal, as it will make iOS in the EU more similar to how Android works. Android users have been able to use alternative calling and messaging apps for a while, but it looks like EU iOS users will soon have a similar level of choice. Eventually, companies like Google may even be able to release their popular Google Messages app on iOS.
iOS and iPadOS updates coming later this year will let EU users delete even more inbox apps, including Messages, Camera, Photos, Safari, and even the App Store. Again, this is all good in theory, but it's not yet clear how users will be able to reinstall these apps after they've been deleted, especially the App Store. For now, it's only the App Store that will let you reinstall deleted inbox apps like Apple Music and Calculator, which are probably apps you don't want to delete.
Apple today also detailed upcoming changes to the browser choice screen in the EU. The updated choice screen will provide more information about alternative web browsers and will be visible to all users who have Safari set as their default browser.