Khaberni - The iPhone automatically depends on pre-installed Apple apps by default for daily system activities such as opening links, making phone calls, and more. However, iOS now allows for the setting of alternative apps as default options, a feature that has significantly expanded in iOS version 26.
Although this capability was previously available in specific categories, the options available to users have steadily increased over time, giving them greater freedom to customize their user experience.
iOS 26 has continued this expansion, especially for users outside the United States, in response to varying government regulations around the world, where available default app options may vary depending on the geographical location of the user.
To update the default apps on an iPhone, users can go to the Settings app, navigate to the Apps section, and proceed to Default Apps, where a precise description of each app category and what exactly happens when setting a new default is provided.
According to an Apple support document, these latest changes are available in a broad geographic range that includes the European Economic Area, and many Arab and global countries, such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, as well as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
According to an Apple support document, these latest changes are available in a wide geographic range that includes the European Economic Area, and many Arab and global countries, such as Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and others.
