Setting default apps is common on Android, but on iOS, Apple has historically made it difficult. Over time, users have gained the ability to set default browser apps and other tweaks, but starting next year, Apple will apparently allow iPhone users to set their default navigation app as something other than Apple Maps, like Google Maps.
As part of the same report that revealed that Apple is working on improving the ability to transfer data from iPhone to Android, our sister site 9to5Mac he also noted that Apple has confirmed that the iPhone will soon allow users to set a default navigation app.
Apple explains:
Apple also plans to introduce a new default control for users in Settings for navigation apps. Apple intends to make this solution available by March 2025.
The change will likely arrive in iOS 18, but it’s also likely a change that will be exclusive to EU users. As the EU’s Digital Markets Act came into effect, Apple was very clear that the changes being made to comply with the new legal requirements would not affect the rest of the world. Other changes include allowing third-party app stores and sideloading apps, but only in the EU.
As for which apps will support becoming the default navigation app on the iPhone, that remains to be seen, but it stands to reason that any navigation app on the platform will add the option. Google, for its part, will surely adopt the functionality for Google Maps and Waze, but there are no official announcements.
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