iOS 18.2 Lets EU Users Delete App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera and Photos

[MacRumors]

With iOS 18.2, iPhone users in the European Union can fully delete a number of core apps, including the App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera, and Photos.

Apple said in August that it planned to make additional changes to its Digital Markets Act compliance in the European Union, and one update included the option for EU users to remove system apps. Almost all apps can now be deleted in the EU, with the exception of the Phone app and the Settings app.

Apps that are removed, such as the App Store, can be re-downloaded using an "App Installation" section in the Settings app.

In the U.S. and other countries, core apps like Photos and the App Store can be hidden but not entirely removed from the iPhone and replaced with third-party apps.

Article Link: iOS 18.2 Lets EU Users Delete App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera and Photos

 

[breenmask]

all 10 people are clapping at this.

 

[fwmireault]

They don't have Apple Intelligence, but hey at least they can delete the camera app. Lucky them.

 

[klasma]

Unfortunately, deleting the camera doesn’t remove the bump.

 

[ManBun]

no one cares (except the soccer moms at the EU)

 

[firstcitazen]

You wanted it, you got it! Enjoy!

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I really can't wait for good photos app to get made for iOS.

 

[JRobinsonJr]

I wonder…. will *anyone* actually do this outside of a few testers?

 

[Slix]

I guess if you want 0 apps on your phone, this is great news!

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I guess if you want 0 apps on your phone, this is great news!

The digital minimalists' wet dream!

 

[bartmoss]

This sums up the heights of European software innovation perfectly. 😁

 

[salz4life]

Yeah... delete the App Store... that will really show em!!! LOL

 

[fromgophonetoiphone]

I don't mind having 3rd party alternatives, but removing 1st party solutions is asinine. Good out of the box defaults is exactly why iPhone and Apple exists. And I do agree 3rd party solutions should not be super limited, but I just don't see how allowing users to remove the Camera or Safari app is truly beneficial.

 

[klasma]

I guess if you want 0 apps on your phone, this is great news!

Phone and Settings can’t be deleted.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Personally I would delete Safari if nothing else (if I could)

 

[turbineseaplane]

I guess if you want 0 apps on your phone, this is great news!

There are Apps not made by Apple
Often quite a bit better ones

 

[klasma]

I don't mind having 3rd party alternatives, but removing 1st party solutions is asinine. Good out of the box defaults is exactly why iPhone and Apple exists. And I do agree 3rd party solutions should not be super limited, but I just don't see how allowing users to remove the Camera or Safari app is truly beneficial.

Being able to remove some of the apps is beneficial. But where do you want to draw the line? I guess Apple went pedantic on “non-essential” just to be on the safe side.

 

[JanoschR]

I would much rather have Apple Intelligence and not this nonsense.

 

[Mousesuck]

all 10 people are clapping at this.

Somethings are a matter of principle and interoperability is a matter of principle.

Multinational corporations can’t run amock to do as they please, as their interests must be subjugated under the interests of society and not the other way around.

Is this measure in practice anything special, I honestly don’t know…. But I sure as hell applaud tightening the leash.

 

[Reason077]

I just don't see how allowing users to remove the Camera or Safari app is truly beneficial.

There are good reasons to remove both of these apps in some circumstances. Cameras are a security risk in some environments so you may want to disable that functionality on the phone, and make it obvious by removing the app. As for Safari? Other browsers exist, and not everyone wants to be forced into using the same browser.

 

[Reason077]

Phone and Settings can’t be deleted.

Shame that Phone can't be deleted. Not everyone wants to make and receive phone calls on every device. But I'm guessing there is some regulatory reason that they couldn't do it relating to emergency calls etc.

 

[scorpio vega]

All six eu Macrumors readers are rejoicing their EU overlords for this.

But I sure as hell applaud tightening the leash.

I don’t as it is killing iOS as we know it.

Shame when I want iOS 18 features but miss the actual cohesiveness of iOS 17.

 

[scorpio vega]

As for Safari? Other browsers exist, and not everyone wants to be forced into using the same browser.

Most ppl don’t care about using the same browser because they already use what they want.

This isn’t fashion lol.

 

[AppleTO]

So what does the new camera button do if no camera apps are present? Do you get the "reinstall dialogue" like you commonly do with Apple Maps (if you delete it)?

 

[jdavid_rp]

So what does the new camera button do if no camera apps are present? Do you get the "reinstall dialogue" like you commonly do with Apple Maps (if you delete it)?

I’m curious about the Notification Sheet too, what if you uninstall it and swipe to invoke the camera there? 🤔