Article Summary
Hello tech enthusiasts! Apple has brought an exciting surprise with iOS 18.2, allowing iPhone users worldwide to choose their favorite default apps. Imagine surfing the internet or sending emails with your preferred app? This game-changer frees you from Apple's restrictions, allowing Google Chrome instead of Safari, or Gmail over Apple's Mail. Enjoy the freedom of clicking links and opening your favorite app without copying, pasting, or searching share sheets! Personalize everything from browsers to emails and messaging. In Europe, there's an added twist: you can install apps from alternative stores beyond the App Store. Plus, contactless payments get more exciting! What will be the first app you switch on your iPhone? We'd love to hear your experience, share it with us!

Apple introduced in IOS 18.2 update A way for users to choose their favorite default apps on the iPhone. Although Apple initially promised to make this feature available only in the European Union, it is now available worldwide. So how do you enable it?

From iPhoneIslam.com, the smartphone screen shows an app list with Chrome and Safari icons, linked by arrows indicating switching between browsers. This shows how to change apps, allowing users to easily navigate between default iPhone apps for a personalized experience.


Freedom of choice and why it matters

The freedom to choose default apps on the iPhone represents a significant shift in Apple’s traditionally closed system, giving you more control over how you interact with your device. Instead of being locked into Safari for web browsing or Apple Mail for email, you can now set third-party alternatives like Google Chrome, Firefox, Gmail, and more as your default apps.

This means that when you tap on a link or email address, your iPhone will automatically open your favorite app instead of Apple’s built-in options. This change eliminates the extra steps of manually copying and pasting content between apps or navigating through Share Sheets to get to apps you actually want to use as your primary app.

In iOS 18.2, there are default app settings for Email, Messaging, Contacts, Call Filter, Browser, Passwords, and Keyboards. For EU users, there is also an additional option to install apps, choosing an alternative app store to Apple’s App Store.

On iPhone in select countries and regions, another option called “Contactless Apps” appears that lets you choose an app other than Wallet to make contactless transactions using your device’s NFC technology. Contactless apps are available in the European Economic Area (European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.


How to Set Default Apps on iPhone and iPad

◉ Open “Settings” on your iPhone or iPad (must be running iOS 18.2/iPadOS 18.2 or later).

◉ Scroll down and select “Apps”.

◉ Click on “Default Apps” at the top of your apps list.

From iPhoneIslam.com, two smartphones display the settings menu. The left screen displays featured “Apps,” while the right screen, on an iPhone, displays a list of featured apps, “Default Apps.”

◉ Click on the desired feature to change the default setting to a different app.

◉ Follow any additional steps that appear on the screen if necessary to set up your default app.

From iPhoneIslam.com, two smartphone screens showing accessibility settings. The first shows the default iPhone apps, while the second shows how to change the default app with a list of passcode app options and toggle to enable them.

In some cases, only one app can be the default app for a particular feature. In other cases, you can prioritize which apps your device uses. If you don't see an option to set a specific app as the default app for a feature, it's best to contact the app developer.

Have you changed the default apps on your iPhone? And what was the first app you changed as the default app on your phone? Tell us in the comments.

Source:

macrumors

Related articles