Apple is set to change the iPhone user experience in the European Union with a series of significant updates aimed at meeting the new EU Digital Markets Law, which has just come into force.
According to The Verge, among the most notable changes, EU-based users will, at the end of 2024, have the ability to uninstall the Safari browser from their iPhones. Besides, Apple is developing a more "user-friendly" solution to transfer data from an iPhone to non-Apple phones, which is expected to roll out by fall 2025.
The changes are outlined in a recent compliance document released by Apple, which shows the company's efforts to comply with DMA regulations. Document reveals plans for a “browser switching solution” that facilitates the transfer of data between browsers on the same device.
This feature is expected to be available between late 2024 and early 2025. Additionally, by March 2025, Users will be able to change their default navigation app on iOS devices within the EU, marking a significant shift towards improving user autonomy over their device settings.
Regional specificity and global implications
While the document does not explicitly confirm whether these features will be rolled out globally, it highlights Apple's ongoing efforts to comply with the DMA in the EU. These initiatives include allowing the use of browser engines other than WebKit and the installing third party app stores, which, from now on, are exclusive to the EU market. The global availability of these features remains a subject of speculation, pending further clarification from Apple.
Introducing a more intuitive solution for transferring data to non-gen phones Apple It is based on existing migration tools provided by other companies, like Google's "Switch to Android" iOS app.
This application makes it easy to transfer contacts, photos, videos, free apps, texts, and notes, although it falls short of transferring paid apps, Safari bookmarks, alarms, and other miscellaneous files. Apple's upcoming solution aims to close these gaps, offering a more complete data migration experience for users switching from iOS to other operating systems.
How to remove Safari from your iPhone
Safari is one of those pre-installed Apple apps that cannot be permanently removed from your iPhone. However, you still have two options if you really want to “remove” it.
You can remove the app from your home screen so it's buried in the app library, or use Content & Privacy Restrictions to lock the app. So, let's take a look at how to "remove" Safari from your iPhone. If you are an iPad user, do not hesitate to follow the same steps.
How to remove Safari from your iPhone home screen
The first method will suit you best if you still want to use Safari from time to time, but don't like the app icon taking up space on your home screen. To remove Safari from your view, follow these steps:
- On the home screen, long press the Safari app icon.
- Press Delete application in the context menu.
- Choose Remove from Home Screen when you receive a pop-up window.
Safari will now disappear from your iPhone home screen. It is now hidden in the App Library. So, if you want to use Safari again, simply swipe left on the last page of the home screen to reach the app library. Type Safari in the search field for it to appear.
To continue cluttering your home screen with stock iPhone apps, here's a list of preinstalled iPhone apps that you can and can't delete.
How to lock Safari on your iPhone using airtime
The second method will suit your needs more if you don't want to use Safari at all. This will remove Safari from your iPhone's Home screen and App Library, as well as prevent your iPhone from opening Safari at any time in the future.
Follow these steps to disable Safari on your iPhone:
- Close the Safari app on your iPhone if it is open or running in the background.
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Activate content and privacy restrictions.
- Tap Allowed apps, enter your airtime code if prompted, and turn off Safari.
If you don't know your airtime code, you can reset it like this:
- Click on Settings and Screen Time
- Now on Change Screen Time Passcode and Forgot Passcode.
- Enter your Apple ID, password, and a new airtime code. But if you haven't set up your Apple ID with the airtime passcode, your only option is to factory reset your iPhone, which will erase all data on your iPhone, including that passcode.
Once you have successfully locked Safari using Screen Time, you will not be able to find and use Safari until you repeat the above settings and turn Safari back on.
Facts to consider
However, after disabling Safari using this method, you may notice that all the website links you want to open are redirected to a random, incorrect app.
To solve this, you need to download another browser application from the App Store. There are plenty of privacy-focused smartphone browsers worth checking out if you're not happy with Safari's offerings. Once you install the desired browser, change your iPhone's default browser to ensure that web links open in it instead of a random app.
Get rid of Safari from your iPhone
Although Safari is the default browser on Apple devices, there is no reason not to opt for alternative browsers if you prefer a different browsing experience. But if you don't use Safari, there's no way to delete it, even if you want to free up some space on your iPhone.
For the moment, The only two methods to "remove" Safari from your iPhone are to remove it from the home screen so that it is out of sight and in the App Library or by disabling it using the screen time settings.
