Apple to Let EU Users Set New Defaults for Multiple Apps, Delete App Store, Photos, Messages and More

[Stromos]

As EU user I don’t care. Won’t change a single app.

When the apps you use leave the appstore then what? It's already happening.

My mom is most confused about things that are already part of the "iOS experience". She never ventures into settings or even installs apps, and would therefore not even think about changing default apps.

The browser choice screen is a one time thing when you set up a new phone and will never reappear.

Until vendors complain that no one is switching to them and they petition to ask on every update to try to pester people into switching. (Great example every major Windows 11 update checking if you are sure you don't want to upload your files to the cloud change default browser etc.)

 

[marcozs]

There will be no selection screen for apps other than the browser.

That’s already good news…

 

[AlexESP]

My mom is most confused about things that are already part of the "iOS experience". She never ventures into settings or even installs apps, and would therefore not even think about changing default apps.

The browser choice screen is a one time thing when you set up a new phone and will never reappear.

“In a future update to iOS 18, the browser choice window will pop up again if a user has Safari set as their default.”

And even then, I trust Safari, she likes and is used to Safari (but probably doesn’t even know its name), that’s the default iPhone experience and there is no need to annoy users.

 

[mrat93]

The initiative was triggered by the EU being upset about not having any major consumer tech companies, because they don't realize their regulations are what stifles innovation in the EU.

Case in point, we're all stuck with USB-C now for all eternity because even though it was clear Apple was moving in that direction, they weren't moving fast enough for the EU, and now USB-C is mandated and it's not going to be worth developing a better alternative. Thank god they at least waited until after micro-usb went away.

1. They were not headed in that direction already. They basically confirmed in an interview “we’ll have to comply”

2. USB-C can handle 10 gbps transfer speeds and 240W charging, and it’s reversible. There is no need for a new standard cable ever. But even if there was, do you really think that the EU would be like, “no, we refuse this new, better technology for eternity?” Get real.

 

[marcozs]

When the apps you use leave the appstore then what? It's already happening.


Until vendors complain that no one is switching to them and they petition to ask on every update to try to pester people into switching. (Great example every major Windows 11 update checking if you are sure you don't want to upload your files to the cloud change default browser etc.)

At a certain point will those vendors realize that people do not switch just because they do not provide enough additional value for people to care and take the effort to switch?

 

[Dawn of Individual Merit]

I'm a small fry iOS developer who has removed all EU countries from my app sales. I recommend all iOS app developers do the same.

You stopped selling your apps to EU markets because you just read that some people can choose different default apps in the future?

 

[MilaM]

“In a future update to iOS 18, the browser choice window will pop up again if a user has Safari set as their default.”

And even then, I trust Safari, she likes and is used to Safari (but probably doesn’t even know how its name), that’s the default iPhone experience and there is no need to annoy users.

I don't know the details, but I think this is because the EU Commission was not happy with the first version of the choice screen.

The most annoying pop ups and choice screens are still Apple's own. I always try to upgrade my Moms iPhone when a major upgrade is due to work though all the questions and pop-ups.

 

[Jamie0003]

“Won’t somebody please think of the trillion dollar companies!” 😭

 

[Removebeforeflight]

As a citizen of the EU, I had to laugh out loud reading through most of the comments here. People from a country that invented "freedom fries" are suddenly *against* the freedom of choice?

"What have the Romans ever done for us" and "Stockholm Syndrome" come to my mind.

I personally am looking forward to the added options in iOS.
By the way, it was EU regulators that led to the elimination of extra fees for mobile roaming in different EU countries. If that didn't happen I am sure the big Telcos would still rip people off when traveling across borders.

 

[Piggie]

What a waste of time by these clueless politicians trying to justify their positions. The EU is a disaster and people starting to see this that’s why Vestager has been fired.

Perhaps the EU is a disaster or not.
Let's see who the US votes to run the country in the next few weeks before we judge

 

[BaldiMac]

1. They were not headed in that direction already. They basically confirmed in an interview “we’ll have to comply”

Sure they were. Some iPads already moved to USB-C years before the requirement.

When Apple released lightning, they said it would be the connector for the next decade. They fulfilled that commitment. But we'll never know if Apple could have developed something better or not. Because the EU took away that option.

2. USB-C can handle 10 gbps transfer speeds and 240W charging, and it’s reversible. There is no need for a new standard cable ever.

Hah. The old "we'll never need anything better" argument has been mocked for decades.

But even if there was, do you really think that the EU would be like, “no, we refuse this new, better technology for eternity?” Get real.

The EU took away much of the incentive to develop one. Improvements are now in the hands of the USB consortium. I don't have much faith in development by committee with approval by politicians.

 

[AlexESP]

I don't know the details, but I think this is because the EU Commission was not happy with the first version of the choice screen.

The most annoying pop ups and choice screens are still Apple's own. I always try to upgrade my Moms iPhone when a major upgrade is due to work though all the questions and pop-ups.

The good thing with Apple choice screens and pop-ups is that those are their decision, and if they’re too annoying users will stop buying iPhones, so they will pay for their mistakes.

Here, they will pay for the mistakes the EU is making (while EU commissionaires are not paying for them).

 

[AlexESP]

As a citizen of the EU, I had to laugh out loud reading through most of the comments here. People from a country that invented "freedom fries" are suddenly *against* the freedom of choice?

"What have the Romans ever done for us" and "Stockholm Syndrome" come to my mind.

I personally am looking forward to the added options in iOS.
By the way, it was EU regulators that led to the elimination of extra fees for mobile roaming in different EU countries. If that didn't happen I am sure the big Telcos would still rip people off when traveling across borders.

As a citizen of the EU: forcing companies to design products in a certain way and manipulating the market is not freedom. The concept of freedom for many politicians in the EU is the opposite of freedom.

 

[paradox00]

Better yet, force Apple to sell Android devices alongside iPhones. Why should the EU consumer live in a tyranny of proprietary sales!?



Apple has plenty of competition. Android fills the demand for customization that Apple does not offer. Consumers in the EU already have a choice here, they don’t need the nanny government forcing Apple’s hand when Apple’s competitors already have the market.

You fail to understand what market is even being discussed here.

 

[DrRadon]

All I want is to change my default music player. 🤣

 

[BaldiMac]

As a citizen of the EU: forcing companies to design products in a certain way and manipulating the market is not freedom. The concept of freedom for many politicians in the EU is the opposite of freedom.

Seriously! Especially considering the "remedy" already failed across 70% of the market.

 

[CodeSpyder]

You stopped selling your apps to EU markets because you just read that some people can choose different default apps in the future?

No, because if I said that I am a Trader, I will have to supply my address and phone number. That, in my opinion, is too much of an invasion of privacy as I am an independent developer. I have no corporate address or phone number. I do have an email and support anyone with any issue on any one of my apps. I do not take or use any of a user's personal information and I do not share their email addresses if they should email me about an issue. Apple is very cognizent of privacy, but they are cowering to the EU by forcing developers to, in some cases, divulge their address and phone number. The juice is not worth the squeeze in my case.

 

[CodeSpyder]

As a citizen of the EU, I had to laugh out loud reading through most of the comments here. People from a country that invented "freedom fries" are suddenly *against* the freedom of choice?

"What have the Romans ever done for us" and "Stockholm Syndrome" come to my mind.

I personally am looking forward to the added options in iOS.
By the way, it was EU regulators that led to the elimination of extra fees for mobile roaming in different EU countries. If that didn't happen I am sure the big Telcos would still rip people off when traveling across borders.

You already have a choice. You can choose not to buy any Apple products. You have complete control over that.

 

[dcp10]

1.. There is no need for a new standard cable ever.

Which is why we’re still using VGA and USB-A cables. LOL

Sure the EU will update the rules as time goes on, but only AFTER something becomes a standard. Problem is how does a new idea take root? Sure a company could develop a new protocol, but because they have to still include the mandated USB C if forces design choices on the product which may hinder performance etc.

 

[ApAx]

As a citizen of the EU, I had to laugh out loud reading through most of the comments here. People from a country that invented "freedom fries" are suddenly *against* the freedom of choice?

EU citizens already have freedom of choice. They are free to buy Android devices if they don’t like Apple devices.

Forcing companies to operate in a certain way when there is already a competitive market is not freedom. That’s government interference and market manipulation.

 

[davide_eu]

Wonder if delete actually mean delete, or just hidden. I would imagine so many of these services are so deeply intergrated into iOS.

If apps are integrated with the os this is a security nightmare

 

[macfacts]

App

I'd assume all that is coming of that is worse battery life that people will blame Apple for when they select Chrome as their default browser because it's the one they've heard of before.

Tim needs to grow some thicker skin if he is afraid of people blaming him for poor battery life.

 

[macfacts]

such trash, just buy the phone you want, clearly if the iPhone doesnt offer what you want do f'ng buy it. I dont understand whats wrong with an ecosystem.

No one is forcing apple to sell in the EU.

 

[c0rb4c]

I don’t see the problem. All of this is possible on macOS. I don’t even understand why it hasn’t been the case on iOS since the beginning. Back to normal. And you guys can keep your battery life will suck and security for you: clearly you don’t understand anything at all about operating system.

 

[BaldiMac]

I don’t see the problem.

Then do some research.

All of this is possible on macOS.

Yes! At least some of it.

I don’t even understand why it hasn’t been the case on iOS since the beginning.

Good that you can admit that. Again, do some research!

Back to normal. And you guys can keep your battery life will suck and security for you: clearly you don’t understand anything at all about operating system.

Ahh. Since you admittedly don't understand the issues, you just dismiss them and insult people who disagree with you. I don't think that's a convincing argument.