Apple Might Not Force You to Use Apple Maps in iOS 18

If the rumors are accurate, iOS 18 could include some big changes for iPhone users—including one much-desired by anyone less than enamored with Apple’s default iPhone navigation app. According to a document Apple recently shared detailing its plans to comply with the European Union’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA) changes, the company might finally grant you the option to change your default navigation app from Apple Maps to an alternative like Google Maps or Waze.

Apple is expected to reveal iOS 18 during its WWDC 2024 conference, which will likely happen in June this year, based on previous years’ conference dates. It’s unclear if Apple will confirm its plans to allow the changing of the default navigation app in iOS 18 during the conference, of if that feature will come with a later, iterative update. The compliance report only states that, “Apple also plans to introduce a new default control for users in Settings for navigation apps. Apple aims to make this solution available by March 2025.”

That March 2025 timeline provides a hint as to when we can expect the new feature—even if it doesn’t arrive in iOS 18, it could arrive in a later version of the OS, as Apple continually adds new features via smaller updates throughout the year between full iOS releases.

Whenever the option arrives, it will obviously be a big deal, as a lot of iPhone users undoubtedly prefer something other than Apple Maps. Being able to select your preferred default will be a welcome change to anyone tired of having to copy an address and paste it into Google Maps (or thoughtlessly clicking on an address in a text, accidentally launching Apple Maps, then closing it and returning to the text to then copy and paste the address into Google Maps).

The change might be restricted to the E.U.

However, there is a caveat worth noting: Because this feature change is part of Apple’s plans to comply with Europe’s DMA, it might not be a feature that becomes available everywhere iPhones are used. If Apple geo-locks the option to those within the E.U., it could be years before people in other countries get the same choice—if they ever do.

Unfortunately, Apple has played a tight hand when it comes to making changes that comply with the DMA; from allowing third-party app stores to letting users download apps via a web browser on their iPhones, many of these changes are available only to those within the E.U.