Testing EU iOS Features in iOS 18.2
As previewed earlier this year, changes to the browser choice screen, default apps, and app deletion for EU users, as well as support in Safari for exporting user data and for web browsers to import that data, are now available in the beta versions of iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2.
[…]
Following feedback from the European Commission and from developers, in these releases developers can develop and test EU-specific features, such as alternative browser engines, contactless apps, marketplace installations from web browsers, and marketplace apps, from anywhere in the world. Developers of apps that use alternative browser engines can now use WebKit in those same apps.
I just spent a few minutes trying to figure out how this works, but haven’t found it. If anyone can point me to the answer, let me know. It’s kind of bananas that EU-specific features couldn’t even be tested outside the EU until now.
If you’re on 18.2 you can test installing alternative marketplaces from websites (e.g https://altstore.io/download), which means they’ll download but you still can’t launch them
I’m also assuming it means I’ll be able to actually test installing apps with AltStore PAL without having to fly back to Europe, but need to wait ~72 hours for Apple to process my UDID to confirm.
With iOS 18.2, iPhone users in the European Union can fully delete a number of core apps, including the App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera, and Photos.
Clearly this wouldn’t be in iOS 18.2 anywhere in the world if the European Commission weren’t demanding it for DMA compliance, but given that Apple had to do it for the EU, why not make it worldwide?
Previously:
- Apple Intelligence in macOS 15.2 and iOS 18.2
- EU iOS Envy
- iOS 18: Browser Choice and Default App Controls in EU
- App Marketplaces Will Stop Working If You Travel Outside the EU
- DMA Compliance: Default App Controls and NFC
- DMA Compliance: Alternative Browser Engines
- DMA Compliance: Alternative App Stores But No Sideloading
