EU iPhones Will Soon Allow Users to Change Default Phone and Messaging Apps

Upcoming Changes to Default Apps on EU iPhones

Apple is set to introduce new features for iPhone and iPad users in the European Union, allowing them to select default apps for phone calls, messaging, keyboards, password managers, and more. This comes as part of a significant update that is expected to roll out later this year, streamlined under a new section in Settings labeled “Default Apps.”

New Options for User Customization

• Default navigation and translation apps will be introduced by spring next year.
• Users will gain the ability to delete certain Apple apps, including App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari.
• Settings and Phone apps will remain non-deletable.

Browser Choice Screen Enhancements

Alongside the default apps update, Apple is refreshing its browser choice screen that appears upon first opening Safari on iPhones. Users will need to scroll through various browser options—including Firefox, Chrome, and DuckDuckGo—before making a selection. Developers will gain insights into the screen's performance, aiming for a more user-friendly experience.

Apple has already permitted users in the EU to change their default browser and email applications, and it recently expanded access to third-party app marketplaces with the Epic Games Store launching on its platform.