Since 2020, you've had the freedom to choose your preferred web browser and email app as defaults on your iPhone or iPad. Now, four years on, Apple is enhancing this flexibility in the U.S., allowing more apps to be set as defaults for specific functions. Additionally, a new centralized menu has been introduced to manage all these default app settings more efficiently.

Across the Atlantic, EU users have benefited from new regulations, gaining even more options. With the release of iOS and iPadOS 17.4, Apple introduced alternative payment systems in the App Store, third-party app marketplaces, and non-WebKit browser engines, broadening the mobile experience. Although these features are not yet available in the U.S., Apple's recent update offers more customization options for American users.

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Alongside the ability to set additional default apps, Apple has introduced a streamlined "Default Apps" menu in iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, which were released on December 11. This new menu simplifies the process of setting up and managing default apps, making it more user-friendly than the previous method, which involved navigating through various settings.

The New Default Apps Manager

In Settings ? Apps ? Default Apps on iOS 18.2 or iPadOS 18.2, you can quickly change the default web browser and email app without delving into the settings of Safari, Mail, or other third-party apps. But the enhancements don't stop there.

Here's what you can do in the new Default Apps dashboard:

• Email: Switch the default email app from Mail to a third-party app like Airmail, Canary, Gmail, Outlook, or Spark. This option was previously available and remains accessible via Settings ? Apps ? [Email App Name] ? Default Email App.

• Messaging: Change the default app for sending and receiving messages. This feature, exclusive to iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 or later, initially shows only Messages, but third-party apps like Facebook Messenger, Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp may soon be selectable as defaults.

• Calling: Set the default app for making and receiving calls. This new feature, available only on iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 or later, starts with FaceTime and Phone, but third-party options like Google Voice, Skype, TextNow, or FreedomPop could be added soon.

• Call Filtering: Enable or disable call blocking and identification features for third-party apps such as Verizon's Call Filter, Call Protect, Monday, Hiya, Robokiller, and YouMail. You can also reorder the apps by tapping "Edit". This setting is also available via Settings ? Apps ? Phone ? Call Blocking & Identification.

• Browser App: Change the default web browser from Safari to a third-party app like Aloha, Chrome, DuckDuckGo, Edge, Firefox, or Opera. This setting was and is still accessible via Settings ? Apps ? [Browser Name] ? Default Browser App.

• Passwords & Codes: Enable or disable "AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys" for apps and websites, and toggle password, passkey, and code verification apps like Passwords, LastPass, and 1Password on or off. You can also set which app opens verification code setup links and QR codes. This setting is also available via Settings ? General ? AutoFill & Passwords.

• Keyboards: Add or remove Apple Emoji and language keyboards, as well as third-party keyboard apps like Gboard, Grammarly, and SwiftKey. You can reorder them by tapping "Edit". This setting is also accessible via Settings ? General ? Keyboard ? Keyboards.

Coming Soon: More Default App Options

The header in iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 hints at the ability to choose the default app for contactless payments, following the introduction of NFC & SE Platform APIs in iOS 18.1 for secure contactless transactions within compatible apps.

Developers can leverage the NFC & SE Platform for various contactless uses such as in-store payments, car keys, closed-loop transit, corporate badges, student IDs, home keys, hotel keys, merchant loyalty and rewards, and event tickets. Government IDs will be supported later, according to Apple.

Apple has also announced that the EU will gain default options for translating text and navigation apps in Spring 2025. With calls and messaging now available in the U.S., these additional options might soon be accessible here as well.

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Cover photo and screenshots by Gadget Hacks

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