Apple continues its push to make the iPhone more customizable and personal with the introduction of a new feature in iOS 18.4. This update brings two new categories for setting default apps, based on your geographical location.
For years, Apple has provided some level of default app controls within the Settings app. However, in iOS 18.2, this feature was expanded to include new categories and a dedicated hub. Now, with the release of iOS 18.4, the options for default app categories are increasing yet again.
The first new category, Translation, is available to users in the US and internationally. This allows you to change the default app from Apple’s Translate app to a third-party option, such as Google Translate.
In addition to Translation, users in the EU will see the addition of the Navigation category. Although it is disappointing that this feature is restricted to EU users, those who reside in the EU can now change their iPhone’s default from Apple Maps to another navigation app, like Google Maps.
Each default app category functions a bit differently, but generally, your chosen default app will be used by links and built-in OS tools encountered system-wide to perform specific functions. For instance, if you set your Navigation default to Waze, tapping an address sent to you in an iMessage will open that location directly in your preferred app.
To configure default apps on your iPhone, simply open Settings, navigate to Apps, and select Default Apps. From there, you can make your desired changes.
Are you planning to change your default apps in iOS 18.4? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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