The Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust laws in the EU have required Apple to change the way iOS and the App Store work for users in European countries. iOS 18.2 brings even more changes. Specifically, iPhone and iPad users will soon be able to delete the App Store, Safari, and many other built-in iOS apps.
iOS 18.2 will allow EU users to delete App Store etc.
Some of Apple’s native apps, such as Calculator, Calendar, Music, and Notes, are already removable. But with the iOS 18.2 beta released to developers on Wednesday, Apple is expanding this list even further, adding more apps, but only for users in the EU.
With the latest beta of iOS, users in the EU can now delete the App Store, Camera, Safari, Messages, and Photos. The changes are aimed at complying with one of the provisions of the DMA that requires technology companies to make it easy for users to uninstall the apps they want. Apple had already confirmed in August that it would introduce this option in a future iOS update.
In the EU, users can download an App Marketplace alternative to the App Store. The company has added a button to the Settings app for users who want to restore Apple’s App Store after deleting it.
Several other changes are coming for users in other parts of the world. iOS 18.2 adds a new menu that allows users to easily set their default apps. You have options to set default apps for email, messages, calls, web browser, password manager, and keyboard.
iOS 18.2 also adds Image Playground, Genmoji, ChatGPT integration, and Visual Search for iPhone 16 models.
At this time, iOS 18.2 beta is only available on devices compatible with Apple Intelligence. That means iPhone 15 Pro or newer and M1 iPad or newer. Of course, this update will eventually be available on other devices as well. Apple has previously indicated that iOS 18.2 will be generally available in December.
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