Apple today announced a series of new changes that will come into effect later this year for users running iOS and iPadOS in the European Union.
As part of its response to the DMA, Apple introduced a new browser choice screen in iOS 17.4 in March 2024, prompting EU users to choose a new default browser the first time they open Safari after the update. Later this year, the screen will be shown again to all European users who set or keep Safari as their default web browser on iOS and iPadOS, “including users who had already seen the choice screen before the update.” The screen will also be shown to these users when they move to a new device.
This updated browser selection screen now displays the App Store subtitle and description for each listed web browser, and you can tap the chevron to open its product page in the App Store.
Plus, if your chosen default browser isn't already installed, you'll now be able to see download progress from the browser selection screen. And that's not all: Apple says that when you place an icon for your newly selected browser in the Dock or Home screen on iOS and iPadOS, it will immediately replace Safari.
Along with the updated browser choice screen, Apple has also announced that it's adding a new “Default apps” section to Settings for EU users running iOS and iPadOS 18. In addition to the web browser, alternative app marketplace, and mail app, you'll now be able to set new default apps for each of the following features:
- Dial a phone number
- Adding a call spam filter
- Send a message
- Navigation using maps
- Password Management
- Using an alternative keyboard
- Text translation
Apple will now also allow EU users to uninstall the following core apps on iOS and iPadOS:
- App Store
- message
- camera
- photograph
- Safari
These changes to the browser choice screen, and the ability to choose a new default app on iOS and iPadOS, come months after the European Commission announced its intention to open a non-compliance investigation into Apple regarding the DMA. In a March 25 press release, the Commission specifically cited the design of the browser choice screen introduced in iOS 17.4.
The Commission is concerned that Apple's measures, including the design of its web browser choice screen, may violate Article 6(3) of the DMA and prevent users from actually exercising a choice of services within the Apple ecosystem.
At this point, it is unclear whether these changes will satisfy the Commission.