iOS 18.2 lets you set new default apps for messaging, calls, more via Settings hub

1 month ago 16

Apple’s first developer beta for iOS 18.2 is full of big and small features for iPhone users. The highlight is new Apple Intelligence features, but there’s also a nice change coming for users who like to change their default apps.

Changing default apps is easier than ever in iOS 18.2

As noted on Apple’s Developer site, iOS 18.2 introduces a brand new hub in Settings for changing your default apps, including—for the first time—defaults for messaging and calls.

These releases also include improvements to the Apps area in Settings first introduced in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. All users worldwide will be able to manage their default apps via a Default Apps section at the top of the Apps area. New calling and messaging defaults are also now available for all users worldwide.

When you open Settings ⇾ Apps on an iPhone running iOS 18.2, a new Default Apps section has been added.

Presumably, this section could include different options for users in different parts of the world, such as the EU. That’s because local legislation can dictate which categories Apple offers custom defaults for.

Default app categories now include messaging and calling

In the US, iOS 18.2 beta 1 shows me the following categories:

Email
Messaging
Calling
Call Filtering
Browser App
Passwords & Codes
Keyboards

The Messaging and Calling options are brand new, and fantastic additions.

It’s also very nice that all of these default apps settings are in one dedicated hub now. Now, you can manage and switch between default apps with far more ease than before.

Note that the first iOS 18.2 beta is only available for Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhones. But a future beta should enable this new Default Apps hub for non-AI devices too.

Are you excited about the changes to default apps? Let us know in the comments.