iOS 18.2 isn’t expected to arrive until the first week of December, but we already know several details about the upcoming update, thanks to the ongoing developer beta and public betas. When Apple launches iOS 18.2 next month, users can expect to see a new unified section that lets users set default apps for eight or more app categories, including calls, messages, call filtering, autofill, and applications that can be used with the iPhone’s NFC chip.

iOS 18.2 adds the ability to set default apps for more categories

Apple has added a new “Default Apps” section in a recent iOS 18.2 beta release, spotted by 9to5Mac. This is a unified section in the Settings app on iOS that allows users to choose which default app to use when a link or click or a specific feature (such as call filtering or autofill) is used.

As of today, the ability to choose a default browser or keyboard app is in different parts of the Settings app, making it difficult for users to find these options. With the new Default Apps section in the Settings app, Apple has introduced at least eight new categories for default apps.

After updating to iOS 18.2, users will be able to choose a default app for email, browser, calls, and messaging, allowing users to switch away from Apple’s Mail, Safari, Phone, and Messaging apps. Likewise, they will also be able to select a default call filtering app from the new Default Apps section.

Users will also reportedly see two default app sections that allow more than one app to be selected – Contactless App and Passwords & Codes. These can be useful if a user wants to use more than one payment app or switch between more than one keyboard on their iPhone.

According to the publication, these eight default app sections will appear for users in the US, while those in other regions may see a different number of sections. iPhone users in the European Union (EU), which has stricter anti-competitive rules, may see additional options that allow them to set default apps in more categories, but there is no clarity on these at this time.