Apple is once again planning another set of changes in the EU, and this time the region is targeting the company’s default apps. According to an update, Apple will soon allow users in the European Union to change their phone, messaging, password, and keyboard app, making the platform completely customizable in terms of user experience.
EU seeks further changes to iOS and considers replacing and deleting default apps
In case you don’t know, Apple had to comply with the EU’s mandate to open the App Store to developers, with the possibility of opening their own app store with special payment mechanisms. The company has already made various changes to the platform, and it seems that there are a few more changes that will be made later this year with the iOS 18 update.
Later this fall, the company will also allow its users in EU regions to set apps like navigation, translation and spam filtering apps as default, moving away from the company’s default apps. If you feel this is getting out of hand, users will also have the option to delete the default apps like the App Store, Camera and Photos, and the Safari apps. This will make the iPhone an open device, meaning users can download and delete any app that suits their needs.
From a broader perspective, the new update asks Apple to change the way its ecosystem works, as most of these apps work in conjunction with the other Apple devices. Furthermore, this move makes the iPhone a much closer competitor to Android in terms of customization options for users, as it allows them to replace most of the default apps with third-party options.
We can also assume that the EU wants the iPhone’s hardware to be able to be used with any app the user wants to install, as it will remove all the restrictions and limitations Apple has set in the past. The company is already battling with the EU over the default browser debacle, which forces the company to set up a user choice screen that appears when users first select the Safari app on their iPhone.
Apple is giving way on various aspects of iOS in the EU, including alternative app stores, which recently allowed Epic Games to bring Fortnite to the platform. We’ll keep you updated on further changes as more details become available.
