iOS 18.2 to Allow Users to Change Default Apps Across Eight Categories

Currently in beta, iOS 18.2 should be out for all soon enough next month. Apple has plenty of new software features in the pipeline for this next version of iOS,…

By Hardik Dhamija

November 25, 2024

3 min read

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Currently in beta, iOS 18.2 should be out for all soon enough next month. Apple has plenty of new software features in the pipeline for this next version of iOS, including big improvements to Apple Intelligence. Yet alongside all of that, it will be getting a couple more features, one particularly important to users who want the ability to customize their Apple experience on their iPhone. When it drops, it’ll ship with a much more expansive ability to manage default apps on one’s device.

iOS 18.2 Beta Expands Default App Options, Allowing More Customization

In the past, setting default apps was limited only to email and web browsing for iPhone users. However, since iOS 18.2, that functionality has been expanded to more types of apps. The latest beta (version 4) of iOS 18.2 introduces a new “Default Apps” section within the Settings app. Here, users will be able to manage and set their default apps for different functions and tasks.

Apple had introduced these categories and also set its apps, such as Mail, Safari, and Wallet, as the default in many cases. This means users will have far more flexibility over what app is default for certain activities on their device, including non-Apple apps, finally!

Now the updated categories list includes e-mail, messenger, call, call filter, browsers, passwords & codes, contactless apps, and keyboards. Users can now select their preferred apps for each of these categories, whether it’s choosing a third-party messaging or calling app, a different browser for opening links, or even a third-party keyboard instead of Apple’s built-in option.

Category availability will vary from region to region. For instance, users in the U.S. will see those same eight categories listed above, but users in the EU might be presented with even more choices. This feature is limited as of now to the users running beta only, and for older versions of iOS, they have to wait for its stable rollout till December.

Such a usability enhancement would allow for a significantly higher level of customization and user preference, especially among users who prefer third-party apps to their defaults instead of Adam Apple’s own apps.