Manage default apps effortlessly with iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2

A small yet powerful enhancement in iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 makes managing your default apps on iPhone and iPad easier than ever. For those unfamiliar, a default app is the one your device automatically uses for specific tasks—like opening links or filling in saved passwords.

Previously, changing these settings required digging into each app’s preferences. Now, Apple has streamlined the process: simply go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps to view and adjust all your default app choices in one convenient location.

This update also introduces Calling and Messaging categories to the Default Apps screen. However, no third-party apps have unlocked this feature. While you can’t set WhatsApp or Signal as the default yet, this new feature lays the foundation for potential future flexibility. Contactless App is another new option, though only Vipps for Norwegian users is available at the moment. I suspect it will be some time before we see any viable third-party wallets that compel people to leave Apple Wallet. It will take a lot of work for them to integrate with all of the banks. My guess is that the first one we’ll see is Google Pay.

Why revisit your default apps?

This new Default Apps screen is the perfect opportunity to evaluate whether your current choices truly meet your needs. While Apple’s Mail, Safari, and Passwords apps are solid options which I recommend to most people, alternatives might offer features that better suit your preferences:

• Mail apps like Spark or Gmail provide advanced tools for managing your inbox, such as smart filtering and integration with other services.
• Browsers like Chrome or Firefox offer seamless syncing and customizations with their desktop counterparts, making them great options for users already invested in them.
• Password Managers like 1Password offer more advanced features as well as interoperability with Windows and Android.

While this update isn’t a revolutionary change yet, it represents a step forward in customization.

(Featured image based on an original by iStock.com/Thicha Satapitanon)