In an upcoming update, Apple will give iPhone and iPad users in the European Union (EU) more control over their devices by letting them choose their default apps for key functions like phone calls, messaging, keyboards and password managers. This new feature will be available later this year in a new “Default Apps” section in Settings, it was announced in an update on Thursday.
More control over your iPhone
But the changes don’t end there. Starting next spring, you’ll also be able to set default apps for navigation, translation, and call spam filtering. This will give you more flexibility in customizing your device to your personal preferences. Alongside these new options, Apple is introducing the ability to delete certain pre-installed apps, such as the App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari. However, the Settings and Phone apps will remain sacrosanct and cannot be deleted.
The move is part of a broader effort by Apple to comply with EU rules designed to promote competition and give consumers more choice. The changes will be rolled out gradually, with the first phase focusing on communications and security apps.
Improvements in browser selection
Additionally, Apple is making minor but important changes to the browser selection process on iPhones in the EU. When you first open Safari on your iPhone, you’ll see a browser selection screen that lets you install alternative browsers like Firefox, Chrome, or DuckDuckGo. The upcoming update will improve this process.
If you have Safari as your default browser after the update, you will have to scroll through the entire list of available browsers before selecting one. This will ensure that you are aware of all the options available. Additionally, the App Store description for each browser will be prominently displayed on this selection screen to help you make an informed decision. In another step towards transparency, the developers of these browsers will have access to more data on how this selection screen performs, potentially leading to further improvements in how browsers are presented and selected.
A step towards a more open ecosystem
Apple has already made great strides in offering more flexibility to EU users. You can change your default browser and email app, and Apple has even started allowing third-party app marketplaces on the iPhone. The most notable recent development is the opening of the Epic Games Store on the platform, marking a significant shift towards a more open ecosystem for iPhone users in the EU.
These updates reflect a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are under increasing pressure to offer users more options and transparency, especially in regions with strict regulations like the EU. For iPhone users, these changes mean more freedom to better tailor their devices to their needs and bring Apple’s policies more in line with those of its competitors.
As these changes roll out, it will be interesting to see what impact they have on the user experience and whether similar updates are rolled out to other regions outside the EU.
