DMA Compliance: Default Maps App in EU
The upcoming iOS 18.4 update introduces an option to set a default navigation app, other than Apple Maps, but unfortunately this new setting is limited to users in the EU. There, you can now set an app like Google Maps or Waze as your default navigation app on the iPhone by opening the Settings app and tapping Apps → Default Apps → Navigation.
Apple made this change in response to the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
This one seems kind of spiteful. I get that Apple doesn’t want to make sideloading available throughout the world just because the EU and Brazil have mandated it, but they’re going to hide the very useful maps setting in countries that don’t have a DMA?
Previously:
- Brazilian Court Mandates iOS Sideloading
- How Safari Search Engine Extensions Work
- iOS 18: Browser Choice and Default App Controls in EU
- MKBHD Interviews Craig Federighi
- iOS Default Apps and Competing With Built-in Apps
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Lock-in always seemed like such an odd strategy for a company that says their stuff is the best. If it is, providing choice isn’t going to make less people choose it. But it sure alienates people.
What effect does this actually have? Is this for Siri?
Wouldn’t you usually launch the navigation app, then go from there?
And odd choice indeed. Do their deals with Yelp, etc. make so much money that they want as many users as possible? (It also seems to clash with the choice to allow other maps apps in CarPlay?)
@Sören I usually open addresses for navigation from my calendar app, but the first-party one only supports Apple Maps.
This is the kind of thing that's worrying everyone about Apple. Basically everything they've done for the last several years has been clearly spiteful, completely tone-deaf, or both.
They're starting to remind me of Google during the Google+ years when they were completely disconnected from reality.
