Key Points
- iOS 18.4 will allow EU users to set a default navigation app, not U.S. users. Navigation app choices include Google Maps and Waze.
- This change is due to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, requiring Apple to offer more user choice.
- Other EU-exclusive features include third-party app stores and NFC access for tap-to-pay.
- Apple’s regional policy differences raise concerns about global user experience inequality.
Apple’s upcoming iOS 18.4 update will introduce a long-requested feature: the ability to set a default navigation app other than Apple Maps. However, due to regulatory changes mandated by the Digital Markets Act (DMA), this option will be exclusive to European Union (EU) users.
Once iOS 18.4 goes live, EU users can choose their preferred navigation app by heading to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Navigation. This will allow apps like Google Maps or Waze to automatically open when requesting directions, rather than being forced to use Apple Maps.
This change aligns with Apple’s broader compliance strategy with the DMA, which requires large tech companies to offer more user choices and prevent anti-competitive practices. While this feature is a welcome improvement for iPhone users in Europe, Apple has not extended it to users in the United States or other regions.
iPhone users in the U.S. can set default apps for email, messaging, calling, call filtering, web browsing, passwords and codes, contactless payments, and keyboards. With iOS 18.4, Apple is adding the ability to select a default translation app, giving users slightly more control over their device’s functionality. However, American users remain locked into Apple Maps as the default choice for navigation apps.
Beyond the default navigation app option, EU users benefit from other Apple policy changes sparked by the Digital Markets Act. For example, the EU is the only region where iPhone users can install apps from third-party app stores. Apple has also been required to open up near-field communication (NFC) access, allowing third-party apps to use tap-to-pay features.
These updates highlight a growing divide between user experiences in different regions, largely influenced by legal and regulatory environments. With the EU gaining more consumer-friendly changes, some speculate whether Apple’s strategy prioritizes compliance only where necessary rather than implementing changes globally.
