Apple will allow you to remove default apps from iPhone and change default apps, but only in the EU

Apple has announced a number of changes to its mobile operating systems to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple will allow European users to remove pre-installed proprietary apps, set third-party software as default apps, etc.

In particular, Apple will allow iPhone and iPad owners in the EU to install third-party programs instead of native applications as a replacement for the Safari browser, mail, App Store and applications for contactless transactions. Users will also be able to choose a different default app for phone calls, messaging, password management, keyboard and spam filters.

IOS 18 and iPadOS 18 will feature a new Default Apps section. The ability to install new apps by default will be implemented in an update coming later this year. Then, in spring 2025, Apple will add support for setting defaults for navigation apps and translation.

Apple will also allow EU users to remove more built-in apps. An update coming later this year will remove the App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari apps. As a result, after this it will be impossible to remove only “Settings” and “Phone” from Apple applications.

EU users who have Safari as their default browser will see an updated browser selection screen with more information about third-party browsers, and their developers will receive more data from Apple about how the selection screen works. If the selected third-party browser is already installed, it will open after selection, and if it is not installed, it will begin downloading. The user will then be notified that this browser is the default.