- Which Apple apps can you replace as the defaults
- What happens when you replace Phone or Messages
- How to AutoFill passwords from another source
For years, Apple tightly controlled which apps handled core tasks like browsing the web, sending email, or making calls. That began to shift in the iOS 18 era, when Apple significantly expanded the number of categories where you can choose your own default apps. It was a big deal at the time – and it’s now a permanent part of how iOS works.
Today, you can go well beyond swapping out Safari or Mail. Messaging, calling, password management, keyboards, and more can now be handed over to third-party apps, giving you far more control over how your iPhone behaves day to day. Here’s what you can change – and what still stays firmly in Apple’s hands.
Choose your defaults
As the number of defaults you can change expands, Apple has made it easier to keep tabs on your choices. Head to the new menu in Settings > Apps > Default Apps. This section centralizes all default app choices, so you can quickly see and modify which apps handle specific functions on your device.
You can even set third-party apps as the default for messaging and calls. Note that while you can use apps like WhatsApp as the default for starting calls or messages, Apple’s Phone and Messages apps will still handle incoming texts and calls associated with your cell plan. Setting a third-party app as the default simply means that if you tap on a phone number or ask Siri to contact someone, your iPhone will use your preferred app to initiate the interaction.
You can also designate a default password manager for AutoFill, making it easier to fill in saved passwords from an app other than Apple’s own iCloud Keychain. Great if you use 1Password or you have a load of saved credentials associated with your Google account you want to use in iOS.
Apple also provides the opportunity to pick defaults for call forwarding, keyboards, payments, and more. But it still restricts the ability to set a default music app, likely to maintain an edge for Apple Music.