When it seemed that everything related to the Digital Markets Law (DML) of the European Union and Apple was going to disappear… New changes are coming to the EU and Apple software. Remember that in the last year, iOS and iPadOS have undergone major changes to adapt to all the new legislation included in the LMD, focused mainly on restricting antitrust policies. The new changes will come in spring 2025 and the EU will force Apple to open the default maps and navigation and translation apps. This means that starting next year, users will will be able to set Google Maps as the default navigation app.
Google Maps as default app: what's new from the EU, the LMD and Apple
Much of the LMD changes focus on that Open the possibility for users to modify the default apps from most possible topics: calls, web browser, email, etc. In this way, the user will not only be able to define which are their default apps but will also be able to delete the native Apple apps. According to the EU, this Expands user possibilities and limits monopoly against third-party developers and their apps.
With a New document published by Apple On their website it has been discovered that New changes will arrive in spring 2025 to comply with the LMD in the European Union. The message is slightly hidden but clear:
In spring 2025, Apple will add support for setting defaults for navigation and translation apps.
That is to say, The default navigation, maps and translation apps can be changed just as you can now change your email, web browser or password manager app. This means, and hence the headline, that we will be able to make Google Maps the default app, which was something that many users wanted after not using Apple Maps and instead being loyal users of Google Maps. We are sure that More changes to the LMD are coming in 2025 but they will arrive in dribs and drabs and Apple will fight with the EU over each of these changes to delay their implementation in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18.