Apple Shares Requirements for Default Third-Party Browser and Email Apps With Developers

[MacRumors]

Apple in iOS 14 plans to allow users to set a third-party app as the default email or browser app on an iPhone or iPad, replacing the current Apple-made default apps Safari and Mail.

Apple hasn't provided many details on the new feature to users, but as noted by MacStories' Federico Vittici, Apple has shared documentation with developers who want their apps to have the option to be set as a default email or browser app.

According to Apple, developers will need to meet certain guidelines and when those parameters have been met, there's an option to request a managed entitlement that will allow the app to work in lieu of Apple's own apps.

Default browser apps must provide a text field for entering a URL, search tools for finding relevant links on the internet, or curated lists of bookmarks. When opening a URL, apps must navigate directly to the specified destination and render the expected web content without redirecting to an unexpected location.

Apps designed with parental controls or a locked down mode can, however, restrict navigation. Email apps set as default must be able to send a message to any valid email recipient and must be able to receive a message from any email sender. Apple says that apps that offer user-controlled incoming mail screening features are allowed.

Third-party browser apps set as default will open up automatically when a URL is tapped instead of the Safari app, while third-party email apps will open when a mailto: link is tapped.

Apple's full documentation can be found on its developer website. Apps will need to be updated with entitlements to be able to be set as the default browser or mail app in iOS 14, so no apps have that functionality at the current time.

We should begin seeing apps able to replace Mail or Safari as default apps close to when iOS 14 launches this fall.

Article Link: Apple Shares Requirements for Default Third-Party Browser and Email Apps With Developers

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Does all actually sounds very reasonable to me.
Also, am I the only one who’s had to explain time and time again to family members that the Google search app is not a web browser?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Requirements look reasonable to me. I am so glad Apple is finally allowing this option. I like Safari but, Apple Mail will no longer be by default app on the phone or iPad. I wish that weren’t the case. For me, the stock mail app can’t be depended on with consistency.

 

[chicago19]

While I appreciate this, it's still disappointing that they are not allowing music and map app defaults to be changed. Baby steps I suppose.

 

[Apple_Robert]

While I appreciate this, it's still disappointing that they are not allowing music and map app defaults to be changed. Baby steps I suppose.

Craig has said “baby steps” in not so many words. He said they plan to open up more areas.

 

[moabal]

Can’t wait to set Outlook as my default email client on my iPhone and iPad!

Edit: FYI, I am not joking. It actually is a pretty good app. A must have for people who use Outlook on their computer.

 

[gridlocked]

Craig has said “baby steps” in not so many words. He said they plan to open up more areas.

Hopefully Maps/Nav is the next 'baby step'.

 

[JosephAW]

Like to see an option to replace other apps like the phone, calculator, music, weather, reminders, contacts etc...
Like to see an option to perform iOS backups to other or personal cloud servers.
Also like to see emoji updates not tied to iOS updates that way older devices can maintain latest emoji sets or an option to choose which emoji set I want to use when talking to different people.
Finally would like the option to revert to any iOS version supported by your device.
Guess I'm describing android devices.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Hopefully Maps/Nav is the next 'baby step'.

I am sure the Google lovers are giddy with anticipation. I like Apple Maps, especially in conjunction with the Apple Watch. Even though I hate Google, I am glad that Google lovers will get their chance soon.
[automerge]1596497913[/automerge]

Like to see an option to replace other apps like the phone, calculator, music, weather, reminders, contacts etc...
Like to see an option to perform iOS backups to other or personal cloud servers.
Also like to see emoji updates not tied to iOS updates that way older devices can maintain latest emoji sets or an option to choose which emoji set I want to use when talking to different people.
Finally would like the option to revert to any iOS version supported by your device.
Guess I'm describing android devices.

This is the Apple Orchard Forum. I think you are lost.

 

[edgonzalez32]

Like to see an option to replace other apps like the phone, calculator, music, weather, reminders, contacts etc...
Like to see an option to perform iOS backups to other or personal cloud servers.
Also like to see emoji updates not tied to iOS updates that way older devices can maintain latest emoji sets or an option to choose which emoji set I want to use when talking to different people.
Finally would like the option to revert to any iOS version supported by your device.
Guess I'm describing android devices.

Dude emoji updates being tied to major updates is ridiculous. Hell, most of these iOS updates that could be broken out into specific updates for apps is ridiculous.

i think we can start expecting setting default apps for other apps as the years go on. Feel like iOS 15 we’ll see a lot.

I mean, it’s ridiculous that it would even take that many versions of an OS to do that lmao.

 

[edgonzalez32]

I am sure the Google lovers are giddy with anticipation. I like Apple Maps, especially in conjunction with the Apple Watch. Even though I hate Google, I am glad that Google lovers will get their chance soon.
[automerge]1596497913[/automerge]

This is the Apple Orchard Forum. I think you are lost.

Google lovers? How about stop trying to **** on people that prefer something different than you?

 

[KidAKidB]

Craig has said “baby steps” in not so many words. He said they plan to open up more areas.

You're reading between the lines. He never specifically meant there would be more.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Google lovers? How about stop trying to **** on people that prefer something different than you?

What is wrong with Google lovers? People who like Google apps and prefer them over anything else fit the bill. Same thing goes with people who love certain Apple apps or other third party apps.

When you look to be offended, you are never disappointed.

 

[Hastings101]

Good to see Apple being reasonable about opening up iOS just a little more. I really do think it is their “OS of the future” to use cheesy marketing terms, especially if they can just work towards better covering macOS features and getting developers to take chances with full software that isn’t necessarily touch friendly.

 

[Apple_Robert]

You're reading between the lines. He never specifically meant there would be more.

I will watch the video again.

 

[velocityg4]

Hopefully Maps/Nav is the next 'baby step'.

That would be nice. Although I'm hoping that they'll allow browsers to use something other than Webkit first. If we have to have one before the other.

Firefox for Android is my favorite mobile browser. Since I can use real add-ons with excellent ad blocking and tracker blocking.

 

[Cosmosent]

Next up, hopefully, Users will be able to set "2" third-party Cameras as default, "1" for Single-Shots & "1" for Short-Duration, High-Perf Bursts (e.g., Full-Res 12 Mpx photos @ 30 fps & up-to 45 photos per set) !

Long overdue !

 

[Apple_Robert]

You're reading between the lines. He never specifically meant there would be more.

I just got done watching the video again and i stand corrected. Craig did say Apple wanted to be careful not to introduce “chaos” into the mix and would be very careful about which apps would be allowed to take the place of default.

 

[twolf2919]

Apple in iOS 14 plans to allow users to set a third-party app as the default email or browser app...

Does anyone know if Apple will also require these apps to return the favor and respect other default app selections? If GMail becomes my favorite mail client, I expect it to open Safari if that’s my default browser. Alas, Google doesn’t do that currently - even when you tell it via its own settings 🤔

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Can a third party browser use something besides WebKit?

This could be the way to finally really have non-Apple approved apps on iOS... even if we're forced to use WebKit, it might be possible to augment it enough to make websites within it feel like native apps (IE, storing more data onboard than Safari would allow, disabling pinch-to-zoom and scrolling and hiding the navigation bar so it feels like a proper native app instead of clearly just being a website.)

Webapps could start promoting third party browsers that handle them better than Safari.

 

[mi7chy]

All it needs now is Aqua Mail app to be ported to iOS.

 

[GermanSuplex]

Excellent for those who like iOS but rely heavily upon apps like Gmail and Chrome. For me, I don't need my work suite that much to have to alter things, but its a nice option. I'll probably leave the defaults as they are, but it never hurts to have the choice.

 

[Realityck]

We should begin seeing apps able to replace Mail or Safari as default apps close to when iOS 14 launches this fall.

Likely for Apple iPads and iPhones usage matched to companies that are standardized around Windows 10.

 

[Internet Enzyme]

Dude emoji updates being tied to major updates is ridiculous. Hell, most of these iOS updates that could be broken out into specific updates for apps is ridiculous.

i think we can start expecting setting default apps for other apps as the years go on. Feel like iOS 15 we’ll see a lot.

I mean, it’s ridiculous that it would even take that many versions of an OS to do that lmao.

“ridiculous”? Nah, i think its genius. New emojis get people to upgrade to newer versions that include security updates.

 

[dwaltwhit]

I just got done watching the video again and i stand corrected. Craig did say Apple wanted to be careful not to introduce “chaos” into the mix and would be very careful about which apps would be allowed to take the place of default.

How DARE you admit a mistake?! Don’t you know where you are? The internet!