Apple announces even more big DMA changes in Europe

Apple continues to tweak its approach to DMA compliance in the EU and today announced a range of changes around browser choices and default app settings, which will be made available later this year or early next.

Apple continues working to please EU regulators

In a note to developers, Apple updated us as to what we can expect. Among other things, the company has made it easier to choose alternative browsers and given every iPhone or iPad user more opportunities to change their mind.

The big surprise in the latest announcement is that Apple will now give its customers the chance to delete some of its own default apps, including the App Store, Safari, Messages and more.

“By the end of this year, we’ll make changes to the browser choice screen, default apps, and app deletion for iOS and iPadOS for users in the EU,” Apple said in a note to developers. “These updates come from our ongoing and continuing dialog with the European Commission about compliance with the Digital Market Act’s requirements in these areas,” Apple explained.

About the browser choice screens

To meet the requirements in the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Union, iOS 17.4 and later include a choice screen that provides an additional way to choose a default web browser from a list of options.

You’ll see the screen the first time you open Safari on your device across the EU, and you’ll also see it on iPads starting from iPadOS 18. Apple will offer those users the choice of the top 12 browsers downloaded in that nation and will update the list of browsers eligible to be shown on the choice screen once per calendar year.

What has Apple changed?

The new announcement means that all users currently running Safari as their default browser, including those who have already selected it, will be shown the browser choice screen once again when they first update to iOS 18 and launch the browser.

The screen will also be shown once per device, rather than once per user – you may want to run different browsers on different devices. And, if you migrate to a new device and have chosen Safari as your default browser on the previous device, you’ll be shown that choice screen again. (You won’t see that screen if you have already selected a non-Safari browser).

Apple has also tweaked how the list of browsers work. That means you can select the browser from that list, and you can also parse the first line of the browser description on the App Store on that list. A tap to the right will reveal the relevant App Store page for that browser, all so iPhone users can make an educated choice, once chosen the browser will be downloaded to the device and its icon will replace that of Safari on the device’s Dock or Home Screen.

Finally, Apple has also made it, so users are required to scroll through the full list of browser options before setting a browser as default. Developers will also gain access to more information concerning how their offering performs.

What about Default Apps?

Starting in iOS 17.4, Apple made it possible for EU users to manage their preferred app marketplace, manage contactless apps and choose default browsers.

The company plans to take this further. For users in the EU, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 will also include a new Default Apps section in Settings that lists defaults available to each user. In future software updates, users will get new default settings for dialling phone numbers, sending messages, translating text, navigation, managing passwords, keyboards, and call spam filters. (You will be able to set defaults for navigation and translation apps in spring 2025, others will appear in fall).

Apple also confirmed that it will be possible for EU users to delete the App Store, Messages, Photos, Camera, and Safari apps. You’ll be able to re-download all these apps from the App Store. You will also be able to reinstall the App Store from within device settings, the company said.

The moves are the latest in a series of tweaks Apple has made to its approach to the EU’s DMA during the year. The company continues to try to tweak its operations to meet these new EU directives.

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