Major Changes to EU iPhone and iPad Customization: Deleting Core Apps and More Freedom

In response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple is implementing significant changes to iPhones and iPads for users in the EU. These updates will overhaul defaults for core functionalities and allow for greater customization of devices.

More Control Over Default Apps

Starting with updates to iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, users will have extensive control over default applications. Initially limited to only web browsers and email, the forthcoming expansion will permit EU users to set new default apps for messaging, phone dialing, translation, navigation, password management, keyboards, and call spam filters.

A revamped "Default Apps" section in the Settings app will appear in both iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 later this year, detailing these new customization options. While many of the changes will roll out initially in iOS 18, some more extensive modifications will wait until spring 2025.

Browser Choice Enhancements

From iOS 17.4 onwards, EU users setting or retaining Safari as their default browser will see a pop-up presenting a randomized list of alternative browsers. Apple is also incorporating detailed descriptions alongside each browser to guide user choice. This enhancement aims to ensure more informed browser selections and will display on all Apple devices linked to the same account.

Ability to Delete Core Apps

One of the most revolutionary updates is the capacity to delete long-inviolable apps like the App Store, Messages, Photos, Camera, and Safari. Previously, users could only remove these icons from their Home Screen, but now full deletion is possible. Although removing the App Store might seem difficult due to its role in downloading new apps, Apple provides a safeguard. The App Store can be re-downloaded via the Settings app if needed.

These sweeping changes are exclusive to users in the EU with no current indication they will be available elsewhere. The EU’s regulatory pressures mean that iPhone and iPad devices within the European Union now support a level of customization unseen until now.

With the DMA already forcing Apple to embrace third-party app stores and sideloading, these additional changes further illustrate Apple’s ongoing adjustments to meet European regulatory demands. It appears that these updates are only the beginning as Apple aims to comply fully with new EU standards.

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