The iPhone maker was forced to make changes by regulators after the EU's sweeping digital markets law came into force on March 7, forcing mobile users to offer the ability to choose from a list of available web browsers on a “choice screen” the first time they open Safari.
In an update later this year, Apple users will be able to choose their default browser directly from a selection screen after reviewing a list of required options.
Apple said users will be shown a list of 12 browsers, randomly sorted by EU member state, along with a short description, and the selected browser will be automatically downloaded. The selection screen will also be available on the iPad in an update later this year.
“We welcome Apple's updated selection screen, especially with the upcoming iPhone launch,” Aloha Browser founder Andrew Frost Moroz told Reuters.
“For those who are less familiar with us, our description will highlight these benefits, and they will also improve the user experience by requiring fewer taps to start browsing, which will benefit third-party browsers as well,” he said.
Apple said it is in discussions with the European Commission and believes the new changes will address regulators' concerns.
The committee said on Thursday it would monitor the effectiveness of the resolutions in achieving the objectives of the DMA and decide on the future course of action for the outstanding cases.
There are also plans to introduce a dedicated area for default apps, allowing users to set defaults for messaging, phone, spam filters, password managers and keyboards.
Users will also be able to remove certain Apple apps, such as App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, Safari, etc. Only Settings and Phone apps cannot be removed.
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Reporting by Spanta Mukherjee in Stockholm; Editing by Jan Harvey and Aurora Ellis
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