# iOS 18.2: A Revolutionary Update for Default Applications
Apple’s iOS 18 has rolled out numerous new features, but one of the most thrilling enhancements is poised to debut with **iOS 18.2**. This update will empower users globally to modify their **default apps for messaging and calling**, a capability long sought after by iPhone users. Although some of Apple’s recent adjustments have stemmed from regulatory pressures within the European Union, this particular functionality will be accessible worldwide, heralding a major transformation in Apple’s historically restrictive ecosystem.
## What’s New in iOS 18.2?
In the **iOS 18.2 developer beta**, as noted by [9to5Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2024/10/23/ios-182-lets-you-set-new-default-apps-for-messaging-calls-more-via-settings-hub/), Apple has unveiled a new **Default Apps** section within the **Settings** menu. This update will enable users to designate third-party applications as their defaults for various tasks, including calling, messaging, and more. This marks a monumental shift for Apple, which has previously limited users to its proprietary apps for essential functions like phone calls and text messaging.
### Key Features of the Default Apps Section
Upon navigating to **Settings > Apps** on your iPhone or iPad following the upgrade to iOS 18.2, you’ll discover a new **Default Apps** segment. This section encompasses seven categories:
1. **Email**
2. **Messaging**
3. **Calling**
4. **Call Filtering**
5. **Browser App**
6. **Passwords & Codes**
7. **Keyboards**
This represents the inaugural opportunity for iOS users to modify the default applications for messaging and calling, simplifying the use of third-party apps like WhatsApp or Signal for communication, or even Google Voice for phone calls. Previously, users had to manually launch these applications; now they can establish them as defaults, enhancing the overall experience.
### Simplified Management of Default Apps
Before the release of iOS 18.2, altering default apps was either a daunting task or impossible. With the newly established **Default Apps** hub, Apple has significantly streamlined the management of these settings. Users can swiftly alternate between Apple’s native applications and third-party options without navigating through numerous menus.
For example, if you favor **WhatsApp** for messaging or **Skype** for calls, you can now designate them as your default applications with just a few taps. This degree of customization brings iOS closer to Android, which has long permitted users to select default applications for various tasks.
## Why Is This Important?
Apple has historically exerted strict control over its ecosystem, frequently restricting users to its own apps for fundamental functions such as calling, messaging, and browsing. Although this strategy has provided a seamless and secure user experience, it has also irritated users who prefer third-party applications for specific tasks.
The option to establish default applications for calling and messaging signifies a pivotal shift in Apple’s approach. It grants users greater autonomy to choose the applications that best align with their needs, whether for privacy considerations, functionality, or personal preferences.
### EU Influence and Global Availability
Numerous adjustments in iOS 18 have been shaped by regulatory demands from the **European Union**. For instance, Apple must permit third-party app stores in the EU, although this change has yet to extend to other regions like the United States.
Nonetheless, the ability to set default applications for calling and messaging transcends the EU restrictions. Apple has indicated that this feature will be accessible to **all users globally**, marking it as one of the initial EU-influenced modifications to benefit users on a worldwide scale.
## Who Can Access iOS 18.2?
Currently, the **iOS 18.2 beta** is exclusively available for devices equipped with **Apple Intelligence**, implying that users of older iPhones may not qualify for the beta. However, upon the official release of the final version of iOS 18.2, all iPhones compatible with iOS 18 will be able to utilize the new default app functionalities.
### Supported Devices
If your iPhone is compatible with iOS 18, you will gain access to the fresh default app settings once iOS 18.2 is officially launched. However, if you haven’t upgraded your iPhone in the last couple of years, you might need to wait until the final rollout in **December 2024** to experience these features.
## What Lies Ahead?
Apple has been progressively loosening its grip on its ecosystem in response to user input and regulatory demands, with the ability to set default apps being just one manifestation of this trend. As Apple continues to update iOS, further customization options and flexibility for users can be anticipated in the future.
### Concluding Remarks
The unveiling of the **Default Apps** section in
