Apple will soon let you set Google Maps as default app in the EU

2 weeks ago 3

Apple continues to go back and forth with the EU about its regulatory compliance. And in a new document recently released by the company, it announced plans to enable setting default apps for navigation and translation soon. That means users will be able to finally make Google Maps default.

On Friday, Apple released its latest update on compliance with the EU’s DMA (digital markets act). The published document mostly focused on the actions Apple has already taken to comply with the DMA.

However, there was an important sentence discovered (via MacRumors) that shared future plans for compliance.

Here’s the relevant line:

In spring 2025, Apple will add support for setting defaults for navigation apps and translation.

This means iPhone owners in the EU will be able to do something users have been requesting for years: set Google Maps as their default navigation app.

Apple Maps has continued improving at a steady pace over the years, but many users still prefer Google Maps for a variety of reasons. Soon, they can finally make the app default.

Translation apps is a nice change too, though I expect navigation defaults will get more attention from most users.

The reference to spring 2025 likely means these features will arrive in iOS 18.4, which is expected to debut in April.

Some default app options launching globally in iOS 18.2

Recently in the iOS 18.2 beta, it was discovered that certain default app categories thought exclusive to the EU would be supported worldwide. These include messaging and calling apps.

Apple hasn’t announced anything yet, but it would be nice if the forthcoming EU capabilities for navigation and translation defaults end up launching globally as well.

Are you excited for these changes? Which defaults will you set? Let us know in the comments.