The beta version of iOS 18.2 has been released and is packed with Ai features and upgrades. However, EU users will find they have a bunch of exclusive features thanks to the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

You can already remove many of Apple's pre-installed apps, but iOS 18.2 expands that list. one of the rules of the DMA is that tech companies must make it easy for users to uninstall unwanted apps and software on their devices because they must make it easy for users to uninstall unwanted apps and software on their devices.

Even the all-important App Store is not mandatory in the EU, as Apple is already forced to allow third-party app stores in iOS. However, if you ever have regrets, the App Store can be undone with the click of a button in the settings menu. So if you find that a third-party store is not so good, or if you uninstall the Apple App Store by mistake of some sort, you are not completely screwed.

Other newly removable apps include the Safari browser, Messages, Camera, and Photos. This is in case you don't want redundant apps taking up what little space you have on your iPhone, or if you want to use other apps.

Interestingly, this is one of the few DMA rules that Google may also have to comply with. While the rules regarding third-party app stores and default apps do not apply much to Android, the same is not true for uninstalling Google apps. All Android phones are chock-full of Google bloat after activation, a significant number of which can only be disabled (not completely removed).

EU users will be pleased to know that iOS 18.2 now supports third-party browser web apps. Apple previously removed support for progressive web apps in iOS 17.4 due to privacy and security concerns. This led everyone to believe that Apple did this in retaliation, and the EU promised to investigate the change.

Apple quickly backed down, changed course, and is now releasing a new API for web apps in a third-party custom browser engine. However, this engine is currently only available in the EU, and the new web app API is essentially region-locked; it is not clear if there is any difference in the new web app API compared to the web app in Apple's WebKit-using browser. Therefore, we will have to wait and see what the results will be.

iOS 18.2 will also provide better options for all users to change their default app. Not only can the default apps be easily changed, but for the first time the default calling and messaging apps can now be changed. This is useful for EU iPhone owners who plan to remove the stock options.

This menu appears to be available outside of the EU, with options to change the default apps for mail, calls, messages, call filtering, web browser, password management, and keyboard.

Having more options is never a bad thing, even if you don't actually intend to use them. Because it is better to have choices than to be dictated what you can and cannot do with your phone by big tech companies. Of course, these features are only available within the EU, so their influence is limited.

But sadly, while iPhone users in the EU can still enjoy the benefits of DMA, they cannot access Apple Intelligence. This is reportedly due to the difficulty of implementing AI and complying with DMA rules. This may change in the future, but when that will be is currently unknown.