iOS 18 to bring more changes to iPhones in the EU

Recently, the European Union has urged major tech companies to modify their operations across its 27 member states. How? By implementing new regulations such as the Digital Markets Act, which has already compelled Apple to make its ecosystem more accessible to competitors within the EU. Now, the tech giant has revealed a new set of changes it will implement in its mobile operating systems to more effectively comply with the Digital Markets Act.

Apple will allow you to set additional default apps and remove a few more pre-installed ones on iPhones in the EU.

With the official launch of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Apple will allow iPhones and iPads in the EU greater flexibility in designating non-Apple apps as their default options. The updates will feature a new Default Apps section in the Settings menu, where users can conveniently view and choose their preferred applications.

In addition to browsers, email, app stores, and contactless payments, you will also have the option to select different default applications for making calls, sending messages, translating, navigating, managing passwords, using keyboards, and filtering call spam.

By the end of this year, we will implement changes to the browser choice screen, default applications, and app deletion processes for iOS and iPadOS users in the EU. These updates are a result of our ongoing dialogue with the European Commission regarding compliance with the requirements of the Digital Market Act in these areas.

Furthermore, developers whose browsers are featured on the EU’s browser choice screen will now receive more comprehensive information about their browsers displayed to users. They will also gain access to additional data regarding the performance of the choice screen. This updated choice screen will appear for all EU users who have Safari set as their default browser. Apple is also offering EU users the ability to delete additional built-in apps. In an upcoming update later this year, users will be able to remove the App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari from their devices.

If you select a different default browser using this new choice screen and you currently have Safari in your Dock or on the first page of your Home Screen, your new browser will automatically take the place of the Safari icon in those locations.

Satellite SOS now rolling out to Pixel 9 users in the U.S.

There are several changes for Apple users in the EU, correct? The updates in iOS 18 will allow for greater customization of iPhones, providing users with many more options for organizing their devices. However, while EU users will enjoy increased freedom of choice, they will also miss out on new features such as Apple intelligence, all due to the same legislation.

Therefore, it seems to be a bit of a double-edged sword for iPhone users in the EU, in my opinion.