iOS 26 Allows Cellular Calls and SMS/RCS in Third-Party Apps in EU

[MacRumors]

iOS 26 was announced nearly a month ago, but there is one change related to phone calls and messages that flew under our radar until now.

As reported by German tech news website Heise last month, Apple has introduced new APIs that allow for developers to implement support for making cellular phone calls and sending and receiving SMS/MMS/RCS messages in third-party apps, but only iPhone users in the EU will be able to take advantage of this functionality.

These carrier-based capabilities have always been limited to Apple's Phone and Messages apps, so this is a big change. Apple likely expanded these features in response to current or anticipated regulations under the EU's Digital Markets Act.

Third-party apps could already offer Wi-Fi calling and messaging.

Apple says iPhone users in the EU will only be able to make cellular phone calls and/or send and receive SMS/MMS/RCS messages in a supported third-party app when they have selected the app as their default dialing app and/or default carrier messaging app on iOS 26. Otherwise, the functionality is not enabled.

These capabilities will not be available in third-party iPad apps, or in iPhone apps running on macOS or visionOS, according to Apple.

For the cellular phone call functionality in particular, even the developer of an app requires an Apple Developer account registered in the EU. Given how locked down these capabilities are, do not expect them to expand to the U.S. or elsewhere any time soon.

iOS 26 is currently in beta. The update should be released to the general public in September.

Article Link: iOS 26 Allows Cellular Calls and SMS/RCS in Third-Party Apps in EU

 

[DavidLeblond]

I get it that this is due to the EU stuff but, wouldn't it be easiest just to make this available to everyone?

 

[GMShadow]

I get it that this is due to the EU stuff but, wouldn't it be easiest just to make this available to everyone?

There would be regulatory and carrier concerns involved, it's not just 'turn it on at your whim'. Most of this will be abused by spammers, I expect.

 

[racerhomie]

This is absolutely insane. The privacy implications if Developers sell your Phone metadata for different purposes is real. This has been a HUGE issue on Android in the past. The EU deserves to be fought in the courts and this needs restrictions!

 

[ApAx]

At this point it would be easier for the EU to just have one state-sponsored smart phone manufacturer that is made to allow any software capability the EU wants with no design framework or unified ecosystem. Do EU citizens even want an iPhone if every single aspect of it has to be 3rd party capable?

 

[Plutonius]

This is absolutely insane. The privacy implications if Developers sell your Phone metadata for different purposes is real. This has been a HUGE issue on Android in the past. The EU deserves to be fought in the courts and this needs restrictions!

I'm sure that if problems occur, the EU will blame and fine Apple.

 

[211]

This is absolutely insane. The privacy implications if Developers sell your Phone metadata for different purposes is real. This has been a HUGE issue on Android in the past. The EU deserves to be fought in the courts and this needs restrictions!

This is optional, just like if people buy apps outside the App Store. If the user decides to change from the default app, that’s on the user

I wonder how many people will change the app just because they can? Maybe to WhatsApp. I suspect any change from default apps will come with a warning from Apple

 

[Le Big Mac]

This is absolutely insane. The privacy implications if Developers sell your Phone metadata for different purposes is real. This has been a HUGE issue on Android in the past. The EU deserves to be fought in the courts and this needs restrictions!

This doesn't require anyone to use the third-party capabilities, though.

As for privacy, the EU actually has a privacy law, though take the point it isn't perfect.

 

[surferfb]

I get it that this is due to the EU stuff but, wouldn't it be easiest just to make this available to everyone?

I suspect Apple has serious concerns with third parties getting your call and text message history. Imagine Google/Meta makes a "phone" app and buries a "we can transcribe your voicemails and use it to sell ads to you" or "we'll use who you call to improve our network of who you know to help sell ads" clause in the EULA. Let alone a more malicious actor.

 

[Jeaz]

This is absolutely insane. The privacy implications if Developers sell your Phone metadata for different purposes is real. This has been a HUGE issue on Android in the past. The EU deserves to be fought in the courts and this needs restrictions!

It's an option, you aren't forced to use a 3rd party app, but if you want, you can.

I have zero interest in using a 3rd party app for calls or sms personally, but maybe others do.

 

[Le Big Mac]

Maybe to WhatsApp.

Almost certainly that's the primary reason for this. So many people in Europe use this because it's easy to cross national borders between different national telecoms providers.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I get it that this is due to the EU stuff but, wouldn't it be easiest just to make this available to everyone?

I don’t think people in the rest of the world want to pay app subscriptions to send SMS and or make phone calls. Folks in the EU must be different that way.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I'm sure that if problems occur, the EU will blame and fine Apple.

Just like they blamed Microsoft for doing what the EU regulators forced them to do, thus creating the conditions for CrowdStrike.

 

[turbineseaplane]

This is exactly how it should be, worldwide.

For EU customers, this is enabling a better and more flexible overall computing device that is more adaptable to user needs and preferences.

It's absolutely mesmerizing to watch people argue against their own interests.

Why would you not want the ability to use any service you'd prefer as the back end for the Phone & Messages app?

There is zero drawback to having this as an option.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

At this point it would be easier for the EU to just have one state-sponsored smart phone manufacturer that is made to allow any software capability the EU wants with no design framework or unified ecosystem. Do EU citizens even want an iPhone if every single aspect of it has to be 3rd party capable?

Unfortunately for them, that literally cannot happen. The moment it got mildly successful, the regulators would be there telling them to give up all their profits or get bought by a company outside the region. They can’t help it, it’s just what they do.

EU citizens don’t even want an iPhone period! There’s a reason why the marketshare is so small.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

It’s not available on VisionOS because Apple wisely only introduced it to two member states. As long as it’s less than 3, it’s not a gatekeeper device regardless of how many they sell.

 

[GrassShark]

Just like they blamed Microsoft for doing what the EU regulators forced them to do, thus creating the conditions for CrowdStrike.

Can you explain how the EU is responsible for Crowdstrike? I assume you mean the outage and not the company in general.

 

[surferfb]

Can you explain how the EU is responsible for Crowdstrike? I assume you mean the outage and not the company in general.

Microsoft Blames European Commission for Major Worldwide Outage

Last Friday, a major CrowdStrike outage impacted PCs running Microsoft Windows, causing worldwide issues affecting airlines, retailers, banks,...

www.macrumors.com

 

[trueredsoxfan58]

Would be so nice if Blackberry brought their like on android. Messaging, Email, Social all in one app.

 

[JSDK]

Then maybe we can get BiteSMS back, like in the good old jailbreak days.

 

[justanotherdave]

Great. Let’s allow developers to intercept 2FA codes in real-time so they can login to our services. Or let them spam or friends and family with messages trying to glean information.

EU are complete idiots for forcing Apple to remove one of the biggest security benefits it has (not allowing Apps access to phone/text).

 

[Kottu]

I switched back to iPhone mainly for privacy reasons. I know Apple isn’t perfect, but it’s still far better than Android. On my Samsung, I found it nearly impossible to block Facebook from accessing other apps and services — that was the last straw. Now, with the EU forcing Apple to open up iOS in the name of “digital competition,” things might get worse. Just like with GDPR — now we can’t even visit a website without clicking through endless cookie settings.

 

[racerhomie]

This is optional, just like if people buy apps outside the App Store. If the user decides to change from the default app, that’s on the user

I wonder how many people will change the app just because they can? Maybe to WhatsApp. I suspect any change from default apps will come with a warning from Apple

Doesn’t stop the Privacy issues at all. This should definitely be fought in the courts. WhatsApp can already be used as default calling & messaging app on iOS

 

[Chaos215bar2]

This is absolutely insane. The privacy implications if Developers sell your Phone metadata for different purposes is real. This has been a HUGE issue on Android in the past. The EU deserves to be fought in the courts and this needs restrictions!

So… just don't use shady third-party dialers. Do you think Apple is getting rid of the Phone and Message apps in the EU or something?

Literally all this means is Apple might face some feature competition from third party apps using cellular services. Worst case if you don't intentionally use a third party app for these things is that maybe Apple picks up a cool feature or two that they never would have bothered with if they didn't have a little competition.

 

[racerhomie]

This doesn't require anyone to use the third-party capabilities, though.

As for privacy, the EU actually has a privacy law, though take the point it isn't perfect.

Calling app metadata is too important to leave to 3rd Parties. Android has the problem and no law will help once your data is sold off