Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Apple may soon allow you to change your default iPhone apps

Apple might soon let you set competitor apps like Google Chrome or Microsoft Outlook as the default on your iPhone or iPad. 

Bloomberg reports that the tech giant is considering allowing third-party developers to be set as the default on its devices after the company received significant criticism about not allowing people to change their default apps. 

That means if you prefer Google Maps over Apple Maps or Mozilla Firefox over Safari, you’ll be able to make those preferences your default on your device. 

Aside from apps, Apple is also reportedly considering letting its HomePod speakers be able to allow streaming competitors like Spotify be the default instead of its Apple Music. Spotify remains the global champ when it comes to music streaming services. 

Digital Trends reached out to Apple to confirm allowing the reported change. We will update this story when we hear back.

iPhone Settings App

Apple has made its own preinstalled products the default apps on its devices since it launched the App Store in 2008. Since it makes it harder for other developers to compete against it, some have people raised concerns over whether Apple’s actions could be considered antitrust violations. 

It’s no secret that some of Apple’s competitors go above and beyond what Apple’s apps have to offer. Gmail has certain advanced and customizable features that Apple Mail doesn’t, and many people prefer using Waze over Apple Maps because of its updates on current traffic conditions, construction, and police activity. 

Those with Macs are already able to change their default apps on their computer, but iPhones and iPads have been a bit trickier when it comes to those changes. 

Apple letting other apps in could be its way of trying of showing that the company is not violating any antitrust laws. The company already has an antitrust lawsuit against it over its App Store. Last May, the Supreme Court allowed the lawsuit to move forward, suggesting that the App Store rules could be considered monopolistic and that Apple could be sued over the issue. 

The Federal Trade Commission  is also looking into Apple, as well as other big tech companies, regarding their acquisitions of other companies and if they potentially violated any antitrust laws.

Editors' Recommendations

Allison Matyus
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Allison Matyus is a general news reporter at Digital Trends. She covers any and all tech news, including issues around social…
OpenAI’s new ChatGPT app is free for iPhone and iPad
The ChatGPT website on an iPhone.

OpenAI has just launched a free ChatGPT app for iOS, giving iPhone and iPad owners an easy way to take the AI-powered tool for a spin.

The new app, which is able to converse in a remarkably human-like way, is available now in the U.S. App Store and will come to additional countries “in the coming weeks,” OpenAI said. Android users are promised their own ChatGPT app “soon.”

Read more
iOS 16.5 is bringing two exciting new features to your iPhone
apple launches ios 16 5 new pride wallpapers more wallpaper update

After about a month in the beta testing stage, Apple is finally rolling out iOS 16.5 to the public. This is a surprisingly nice update, as it includes a few new features and some bug fixes.

One of the headliner features of the iOS 16.5 update is the addition of new Pride Celebration wallpapers. This wallpaper can be used for the lock and home screens, and it is meant to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture. This wallpaper is being released ahead of the Apple Watch Pride Edition Sport Band, which will be available starting on May 24.

Read more
I hate my iPhone’s keyboard, but this app made it better
Theming on SwiftKey

The iPhone does a lot of things right. From serving a secure environment, a smooth operating system, unmatched performance, and consistently good cameras, there are plenty of practically justifiable reasons to overlook any of the best Android phones in favor of a pricey iPhone.

Interestingly, Apple tends to take a conservatively slow approach when it comes to smartphone innovations and only serves them after nearly near-perfecting the formula. But the default iPhone keyboard is a tale of stagnation. Or, to put it more accurately, it’s absurdly feature-devoid and depressingly non-exciting.

Read more