Today, Apple announced a new set of changes it’s implementing across its mobile operating systems to better comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. As a result of its “ongoing and continued 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, password management, keyboards and call spam filtering.
All of this is presented under a new Default Apps section at the top iOS 18 And iPadOS 18‘s new Apps settings. The ability to set these new defaults will come “in an update later this year.” In spring 2025, Apple will add support for setting defaults for navigation apps and translation.
New Default Apps section in Settings
Apple will also let EU users remove more built-in apps. “In an update later this year,” the mobile operating systems will let you remove the App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari. Of Apple’s apps, only Settings and Phone will be removed. not can be removed afterwards.
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 previously seen a choice screen. This new choice screen will include additional information about third-party browsers, and developers of those browsers will receive more data from Apple about the performance of the choice screen.
If you select another browser as your default browser through this new selection 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 select it. If it is not installed, the download will begin.