Apple to Let EU iPhone Users Delete Safari and More Easily Transition to Android

[MacRumors]

In addition to adding support for alternative app marketplaces and alternative payment methods in the European Union, Apple is making several other changes to comply with the terms of the Digital Markets Act. Apple today outlined some of its upcoming plans in a DMA Compliance Report [PDF].

Apple is going to make it easier for iPhone users to switch over to another operating system in the European Union. Apple says it is working on a solution that will help mobile operating system providers create "more user-friendly solutions" for transferring data from an iPhone to a non-Apple phone. The solution will be available by fall 2025, after which point companies like Samsung and Google will be able to offer better tools for transferring data from an iPhone.

EU iPhone users will be able to remove Safari from their devices entirely starting at the end of 2024, with an alternate browser able to take the place of Safari. As part of this plan, Apple is developing a browser switching solution for exporting and importing browser data into another browser on the same device. Apple has already began supporting alternative web browser engines, another DMA requirement.

To improve interoperability between iPhone and other smartphone platforms, Apple is allowing third-party payment apps to access the iPhone's NFC chip for contactless payments that are not done through Apple Pay, plus it is allowing developers to submit requests for additional interoperability.

Interoperability requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they are under the scope of the DMA, and if an effective interoperability solution can be developed.

Developers in the EU are able to request additional mediation that goes beyond the standard App Review Board evaluation. Developers who want to contest unsuccessful appeals to the App Review Board can request mediation, a process that Apple says is "EU-based, easily accessible, impartial, independent, and free-of-charge."

All of these changes are limited to developers and users in the European Union as they are required by the Digital Markets Act.

Article Link: Apple to Let EU iPhone Users Delete Safari and More Easily Transition to Android

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

oh wow, sounds nice

It'd be great if we could transfer apple notes data to the app of our choice (currently it does it with native app/oem's notes app only )

being lockdowned rly is painful

 

[turbineseaplane]

Open up iMessage or make a Windows and Android App for it

 

[tobybrut]

Aren’t we already able to delete Safari and choose another browser as default? I can pretty easily get rid of it through jiggle mode.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

Aren’t we already able to delete Safari and choose another browser as default? I can pretty easily get rid of it through jiggle mode.

it only removes it from homescreeen

 

[david_n_n]

Aren’t we already able to delete Safari and choose another browser as default? I can pretty easily get rid of it through jiggle mode.

It can be hidden to the App Library but not fully deleted.

 

[coolfactor]

Open up iMessage or make a Windows and Android App for it

Just some perspective.

• Is WhatsApp open?
• Is Signal open?
• Is Skype open?
• Is Telegram open?
• Is Viber open?
• Is Slack open?

What needs to happen is the entire messaging industry needs to design a low-level Message Interchange Format allowing messages to seamlessly and securely pass between these networks.

Then competition can be remain at the surface UX level. If an app doesn't support a particular feature or media type, it's just ignored on the receiving end, maybe with a placeholder indicating such.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Just some perspective.

• Is WhatsApp open?
• Is Signal open?
• Is Skype open?
• Is Telegram open?
• Is Viber open?
• Is Slack open?

They are cross platform

iMessage is not

That was the second part of my request if opening up iMessage is too much

 

[coolfactor]

Praise the Universe for the EU. Long overdue.

The EU is making a mess of Apple's carefully-crafted ecosystem.

Consumers *always* had choice. If they didn't like Apple's model, they go buy an Android. That choice is not being fixed by this DMA. It's just trying to turn iOS into Android, and that should be illegal.

 

[coolfactor]

They are cross platform

iMessage is not

That was the second part of my request if opening up iMessage is too much

iMessage is cross-platform when it falls back to SMS, and soon RCS. Just without all the extra fancy features.

 

[boswald]

The EU is making a mess of Apple's carefully-crafted ecosystem.

Consumers *always* had choice. If they didn't like Apple's model, they go buy an Android. That choice is not being fixed by this DMA. It's just trying to turn iOS into Android, and that should be illegal.

At least here in America it's still the same ol' ecosystem we know and love.

 

[AlmightyKang]

I can't wait to see their statistics of how many people don't use any of this.

 

[coolfactor]

At least here in America it's still the same ol' ecosystem we know and love.

Not for long. This DMA is fuel for the fire. Honestly, I wish Apple just said "okay, we'll makes these changes and they'll be launching in every country." Look forward. However, their current approach with the EU just highlights their desperation to keep the commissions as high as possible in as many areas of possible.

 

[hagar]

At least here in America it's still the same ol' ecosystem we know and love.

A closed ecosystem. Where you have no choice. It’s weird people in the US are so against freedom and choice nowadays. People in the EU are still enjoying the EXACT same ecosystem as before. But have the bonus of more options, which they can ignore.

 

[cuiver]

What for it... a countdown feature to physical self destruct if you transfer to Android because "securities". Oh and if you "delete" Safari you will be put in a secret bad apple list.

 

[irq987]

Will the EU eventually decide Apple is required to support the installation of Android or other operating systems on Apple devices?

 

[nitrobear]

Just some perspective.

• Is WhatsApp open?
• Is Signal open?
• Is Skype open?
• Is Telegram open?
• Is Viber open?
• Is Slack open?

What needs to happen is the entire messaging industry needs to design a low-level Message Interchange Format allowing messages to seamlessly and securely pass between these networks.

Then competition can be remain at the surface UX level. If an app doesn't support a particular feature or media type, it's just ignored on the receiving end, maybe with a placeholder indicating such.

Hi, uh, it's a thing actually

To comply with DMA, WhatsApp and Messenger will become interoperable via Signal protocol | TechCrunch

Meta today is offering more details about how it plans to make its messaging apps, WhatsApp and Messenger, interoperable with third-party messaging

techcrunch.com

 

[boswald]

A closed ecosystem. Where you have no choice. It’s so weird that people in the US are so against freedom and choice nowadays. People in the EU are still enjoying the EXACT same ecosystem as before. But have the bonus of more options, which they can ignore.

We DO have a choice. We can choose between Apple and Google (Android). Most people know what they're getting into when they buy an iPhone, and that's what draws them in to begin with. For example, I like how Apple's environment is set up: everything works together beautifully and the App Store is a one-stop-shop for apps, games, and whatever else. I also enjoy the centralized location(s) for music and TV. Some people see this as restrictive, but I prefer things this way.

 

[Plutonius]

Apple seems to be preparing for a clean exit from the EU.

 

[TMRJIJ]

iOS will become a cesspool just like Android very soon if the EU keeps pushing. Can't wait to see Samsung's bloatware and the various garbage launchers.

 

[Plutonius]

A closed ecosystem. Where you have no choice. It’s so weird that people in the US are so against freedom and choice nowadays. People in the EU are still enjoying the EXACT same ecosystem as before. But have the bonus of more options, which they can ignore.

Yep, we are waiting for Apple to be forced to allow Android to be run on our iPhones.

 

[j26]

oh wow, sounds nice

It'd be great if we could transfer apple notes data to the app of our choice (currently it does it with native app/oem's notes app only )

being lockdowned rly is painful

Fair point - although Samsung is as bad on notes.

I need a multi platform notes app, and OneNote is the only one that seems to fit the bill. It’s not great for what I want it to do.

 

[NicosAccount]

Man Im glad that the EU is fighting back against big tech in general and their monopolistic practices. Someone has to do it and it's not gonna be coming out of the US. Im sick of seeing the way private data is mishandled with no real consequences and how the makers of big platforms rule over everyone like digital lords. Before people start defending tech companies like if they had stockhold syndrom and telling everything "just dont buy it or just dont use it", the argument only holds in a market that has healthy competition, not in a quasi monopolistic one. "Oh you don't like Apple's pratices? Just get an Android (and get all your data exploited by Google)" Two choices isn't synonimous with a competitive market. Governement intervention is required and beneficial when markets fail, as they often do. As much as I love Apple products, Apple also needs to be challenged and held accountable.

 

[vertsix]

Hahahahaha holy ****, EU only for this?

 

[turbineseaplane]

a cesspool just like Android

Untrue, but please go on