New features coming to iPhone: with Apple’s iOS 14 version, you’ll also be able to change your default apps. Here’s how to do it and the requirements to be met
Among the many new features introduced by Apple with iOS 14 we also find the ability to change the default apps. For example, you’ll be able to choose third-party apps to manage your email or the browser to use to browse the Internet, switching from Safari to Chrome.
This is a big revolution for Apple, since currently on both iPhone and iPad the default apps cannot be changed. With the installation of the new version of Apple’s operating system, you will be able to use other default apps such as Spark for your emails or Chrome, Google’s browser. However, it’s still unclear if the ability to change default apps will also affect Maps and Messages. In addition, HomePod could also open up to third-party music services, such as Spotify, instead of just using Apple Music-a move that could boost sales of Apple’s speaker.
iOS 14, how to change default apps
Although it was possible to install other apps like Chrome or Spark on Apple devices, all versions of the operating system up until iOS 13 didn’t allow them to be set as defaults. With the arrival of iOS 14, Apple is opening up to third-party apps and it will be very easy to change the default ones. Once you download a new app compatible with this feature, iOS will automatically show the “Default Browser App” entry in the settings. By clicking on it, you will be able to use the new browser as default. The process is also the same for email clients that will be downloaded to your iPhone or iPad.
iOS 14, Apple’s rules for browsers and email clients
While the new feature opens the door to third-party apps, Apple wants to ensure a top-notch user experience at all times. Only apps that meet certain scores in benchmarks, and thus meet the requirement of ensuring adequate performance, will be able to be set as default apps. Mail clients must be able to send and receive messages from any valid address, as well as implement email control and verification systems, provided they are fully user-manageable.
More rules are set for browsers, which must guarantee a certain level of privacy, ensure that the user can properly access internet resources, present a text field on the start page for entering URLs, search tools or a list of favorites and selected links. In addition, they must open typed URLs automatically, without proxies or redirects by default, unless parental controls or other restrictions are in place. Among Apple’s demands, also that the app send alert messages if pages at risk of phishing and online scams are opened, and that no user’s personal data is surreptitiously tracked, from photos and location to Homekit and medical databases, nor will they be able to monitor Bluetooth devices when in the background.