European digital markets legislation requires Apple to shake up certain habits and open up the content of its iPhone to more competition.
With iOS 18, iPhone owners will no longer be forced to use Apple’s own apps by default.
By the end of the year, Apple will have to make changes that will change the lives of iPhone and iPad users, at least in Europe.
In consultation with the European Commission, and in order to comply with the entry into force of European legislation on digital markets (the DMA),
For iPhone users based in the European Union, future updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 mobile operating systems will feature a brand new section called “Default Apps” in the device’s “Settings.”
It will list the default options available to each user in areas as broad as phone calls, texting, web browsing, text translation, password management, keyboards and spam filters. For all these activities, it will be possible to choose, by default, a different application than the one imposed until now by Apple.
In addition, the App Store, but also Messages, Photos, Camera and Safari can now be removed from the smartphone for EU users if they wish. A real revolution!
A first breach appeared a few months ago, with the possibility for iPhone users to go through an alternative to the App Store to download and install new applications on their smartphone.
On the other hand, each application must now be as simple as possible to uninstall, without any particular constraints for users, reports La Dépêche.
