iOS 18.2 Adds 'Default' Section for Managing Your Preferred Apps

[MacRumors]

iOS 18.2 includes a new "Default Apps" section that can be found in the Settings app, which can be used to manage your default apps for the iPhone. This is a feature that Apple promised would be coming to the European Union, but it is actually available worldwide in the latest beta.

There are Default App settings for Email, Messaging, Calling, Call Filtering, Browser App, Passwords and Codes, and Keyboard apps.

In the United States, you can use the Default App interface to choose your preferred Email, Call Filtering, Browser, and Passwords, and Keyboards. The sections for Messaging and Calling don't list anything other than Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, respectively, but you can set FaceTime or Phone as the default calling app.

EU users should have more options for choosing non-Apple apps as their default, as Apple is required to allow iPhone users in Europe to swap out their messaging and phone apps, in addition to the others. EU users are also able to delete core apps like Messages, App Store, Safari, Camera, and Photos.

Eventually the Default Apps section should also include contactless payments and other settings.

Article Link: iOS 18.2 Adds 'Default' Section for Managing Your Preferred Apps

 

[Frosty1]

It’s about time! Still makes no sense how EU can do third party apps and everywhere else can’t

Cmon Apple just open it up for everyone to be the same.

 

[Carlson-online]

iOS is turning into windows.

And it’s not good

 

[scorpio vega]

iOS is turning into windows.

And it’s not good

More like lagdroid and I hate it.

 

[dominiongamma]

Why did it take a decade ?

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Choice is good, is it not? People complain for years about a lack of it, then when it’s here…

 

[WarmWinterHat]

More like lagdroid and I hate it.

I love comments like this that have no basis on anything within the last five years. Wife has a Pixel, it doesn't lag or drag and moving around on the device is just a quick as my 16 Pro.

Time to move on from the past.

 

[jhwalker]

Choice is good, is it not? People complain for years about a lack of it, then when it’s here…

SOME people complained about lack of choice - enough that government forced the issue.

Personally, I preferred it the way it was 🤷‍♂️ Literally the only app I'd love to be able to set as "default" is Google Maps instead of Apple Maps ... and that's not one of the configurable choices LOL

 

[totallywoke]

Are there plans to add “My Favorites” — which allows users to select apps frequently used & access settings?

Or does anyone have a shortcut?

 

[printlog]

Does this mean third party messaging apps can handle SMS/RCS in iOS now?

 

[Reeneman]

Finally a real option to change the default keyboard app. But after keyboards like Swiftkey are more and more bloated it’s not really that important anymore.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Things won't be even until users can install all Apple apps on their Android phones. /s

 

[btrach144]

They need to give us the ability to set default 3rd party voice assistants.

 

[alexe]

You can't set a default music app though?!

Are you kidding?

And no default maps app either.

 

[boss.king]

iOS is turning into windows.

And it’s not good

How so? It’s not doing anything we haven’t been able to do on MacOS forever.

 

[nuff_said]

Finally a real option to change the default keyboard app. But after keyboards like Swiftkey are more and more bloated it’s not really that important anymore.

I remember third party keyboards were allowed on iOS years ago but, if I remember correctly, anytime I entered passwords it reverted back to the Apple keyboard. Wasn’t a good user experience. Hopefully it’s not the same this time around.

 

[CarpalMac]

I love comments like this that have no basis on anything within the last five years. Wife has a Pixel, it doesn't lag or drag and moving around on the device is just a quick as my 16 Pro.

Time to move on from the past.

Facts don't always translate into likes. Pithy soundbites however...

How anyone outside of Apple leadership can complain about having choice though, that is absurd.

 

[Reeneman]

Facts don't always translate into likes. Pithy soundbites however...

How anyone outside of Apple leadership can complain about having choice though, that is absurd.

People always complain. Whatever happens.

 

[tazinlwfl]

I love comments like this that have no basis on anything within the last five years. Wife has a Pixel, it doesn't lag or drag and moving around on the device is just a quick as my 16 Pro.

Time to move on from the past.

I agree with the previous post, and I have to constantly manage android devices at work. Not even just MDM level manage, often its stuff like my CEO asking for help on his personal Flip5 literally this week because an update made a bunch of apps go missing and his shades were super laggy. I’m sure he’d say the same thing as you come next week.

 

[ignatius345]

Love it. On my Mac I use BusyCal because it's more powerful than Calendar and I use Mimestream a lot because it plays much better with Gmail than Mail does. I don't know if I'd do the same on my iPhone, but I love having options!

 

[ignatius345]

iOS is turning into windows.

And it’s not good

Yeah, sucks how Apple sends a guy with a gun into your house and forces you to use third-party apps now.

 

[scorpio vega]

I love comments like this that have no basis on anything within the last five years. Wife has a Pixel, it doesn't lag or drag and moving around on the device is just a quick as my 16 Pro.

Time to move on from the past.

I own an android. Glad your wife loves her. Her experience isn’t mine.

 

[scorpio vega]

How so? It’s not doing anything we haven’t been able to do on MacOS forever.

This isn’t macOS

 

[scorpio vega]

Yeah, sucks how Apple sends a guy with a gun into your house and forces you to use third-party apps now.

Get a lagdroid if you want that functionality while the rest of us were content with how iOS worked instead of bastardizing iOS for a vocal minority.

 

[boss.king]

This isn’t macOS

Correct. It’s not Windows either, so I don’t get what point you think you’re making?