Apple is making significant changes to iOS to comply with EU regulations while also addressing a newly discovered character bug. These updates aim to provide more flexibility for European users and fix potential security concerns.
EU Compliance Brings More Customization
In response to the EU's Digital Markets Act, Apple will allow iPhone and iPad users in the European Union to set non-Apple defaults for a wider range of apps. This expansion goes beyond the current options for browsers and email clients, extending to:
- Phone calls
- Messaging
- Password management
- Keyboards
- Call spam filters
A new Default Apps section will appear in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 settings later this year. Apple plans to add support for setting default navigation and translation apps in spring 2025.
Additionally, EU users will gain the ability to delete more built-in apps, including the App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari. Only the Settings and Phone apps will remain undeletable after this change.
Enhanced Browser Choice
Apple is introducing an updated browser choice screen for EU users, even if they've previously seen one. This new screen will provide more information about third-party browsers and offer developers increased data on the choice screen's performance.
Interestingly, if a user selects a new default browser, it will replace Safari's icon in the Dock or on the Home Screen, streamlining the transition to the preferred browser.
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| A user interacting with a smartphone, symbolizing improved customization and browser choice for European users in iOS |
Character Bug Discovered in iOS
While Apple works on expanding user choice, a minor but concerning bug has been identified in the current iOS. Typing specific character combinations, such as :: or variations involving quotation marks and colons, can cause the Settings app or the home screen to crash.
The bug affects devices running iOS 17.6.1 and iPadOS, but Macs remain unaffected. While security researchers claim the issue doesn't pose an immediate threat, it bears similarities to past exploits that have led to more serious vulnerabilities.
Apple is likely to address this bug in an upcoming firmware update. Users should exercise caution when entering special character combinations in search bars until a fix is released.
Looking Ahead
These changes reflect Apple's ongoing efforts to balance regulatory compliance, user customization, and system security. As the tech giant continues to adapt its ecosystem, particularly in response to EU regulations, users can expect more control over their iOS experience while remaining vigilant about potential software issues.