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Apple might let users set third-party apps as defaults in a future version of iOS

Apple will let users set third-party apps as the default.
Apple will let users set third-party apps as the default. (image source: Unsplash)
Apple may soon let you set third-party apps as the default on iPhones. Currently, users are forced to use Apple's offerings as the default app for opening links, emails, navigation, etc. The feature is expected to make its way alongside iOS 14.

For all its benefits, an iPhone still doesn't let you choose default apps. A company shouldn't be allowed to pull this off in 2020, especially when Google has paid millions in fines in the EU for similar transgressions. However, it appears that better sense has prevailed, and Apple might let users set third-party apps as the default.

An iPhone ships with over 30 default applications, and all of them are set as the default. While there is nothing inherently wrong with Apple's offerings such as Apple Maps, Safari, or Apple Mail, a lot of users prefer using third-party alternatives. It is quite surprising that this blatant anti-competitive behavior hasn't attracted the attention of consumer rights watchdogs. Apple did, however, get sued for Spotify for its App Store policies.

The report also adds that the inability to play content from third-party music services such as Pandora and Spotify is a part of the reason why Apple's HomePods fared so poorly. If the aforementioned functionality gets a green light from Apple, it will very likely make its way to iPhones with iOS 14. That, unfortunately, won't release officially until September of this year, so you're in for a long wait.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2020 02 > Apple might let users set third-party apps as defaults in a future version of iOS
Anil Satyanarayana, 2020-02-21 (Update: 2020-02-21)