Apple will soon allow iPhone users to pick their preferred email and browser apps, and it will become a reality when the new iOS 14 is deployed later in the year. Discussed briefly at the 2020 WWDC, the welcome update will pave the way for third-party apps to become default and push the stock options out of the way and possibly for good.
For instance, emailing on the iPhone will not be limited to iOS 14's native client. Apple said users can choose to install Gmail or Outlook and make any of the applications as a default tool.
It's the same way for web browsing on the mobile device. While Safari will still be available on the upcoming iOS version, users can instead pick Chrome or Firefox. Again, the choice of an app can be made default for the said function.
The move will position iOS 14 in the same path that Google's Android OS has taken a long time ago, and notably, Apple is making the decision to give users greater control of IOS while in the middle of antitrust investigations in Europe and the United States, Engadget reported.
However, it's still a long way to go for iPhone users as it appeared that the option to pick apps and make them default is limited for now to browsing and emailing. When iOS 14 is released, for example, Apple Music will remain the platform's dominant service and that means users will need to contend with the fact that they will have to use alongside Spotify or any other alternative services.
The change, nonetheless, points to a scenario that Apple will eventually permit non-stock apps to be used as the preferred tools. The company seemed to be coming to terms with the fact that greater freedom for users will normally translate to good business, and the bonus is better dealings with regulators.
The Verge said the option to set third-party apps as default will be triggered when users start composing an email click on a link. They will be greeted by a prompt to "set a default web browser and email app," at the instance.
It should be noted that for the new feature to be supported, app developers will need to update their products, which means that for a web browser to be compatible with the feature it will need to Apple's WebKit as the browsing engine.
Apple will release iOS 14 at the same time that the next iPhone will debut, which is happening in September. But CNET said advanced users can take the mobile OS for a spin if they want to and they will need a paid developer account to do so.
