iOS 18.2 Will Let Users Choose Alternative Phone and Messaging Apps

Apple released yesterday the first iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS 15.2 developer betas, which enable new Apple Intelligence features such as Image Playground and a ChatGPT integration in Siri and Writing Tools. On its developer website, Apple also detailed new changes to default app controls on iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 that will let users choose new default apps for calling and messaging.

Last month, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 introduced new Apps section in the Settings app where users can check settings for all installed apps. iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 will add a Default Apps section at the top of this Apps area for managing default apps. This will include the web browser, mail client, app store, password manager, keyboard, contactless payments, as well as the app to use for phone calls, detect spam calls, and send messages.

These new default app controls will apply to all iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 users worldwide, which is quite notable. Apple also plans to let users set defaults for navigation and translation apps in Spring 2025. In the EU, iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 will also allow users to delete more inbox apps including the App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari.

The new developer betas released yesterday also include minor changes to the new browser choice screen, and 9to5Mac spotted other updates for third-party browsers and web apps in the EU. To comply with the Digital Markets Act, the new updates will allow users of third-party web browsers to pin web apps to their homescreen. This feature only works with Safari right now, and these web apps pinned from other browsers will also be able to use other engines than Apple’s WebKit.

Overall, iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 appear to be solid updates, but they will be preceded by iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 next week. These are the updates that will make a first set of Apple Intelligence features available on eligible devices such as the new iPhone 16 and last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.