Third-Party Mail and Browser Apps Able to Be Set as Default in iOS and iPadOS 14 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Third-Party Mail and Browser Apps Able to Be Set as Default in iOS and iPadOS 14

In iOS and iPadOS 14, users will be able to set a third-party app as the default mail or browser app for the first time, a major change that iOS users have been wanting for years now.

safari chrome ios
Apple didn't mention the new feature on stage, but it is included on the Preview website for the update.

Set default email and browser apps. With iOS 14, you can set a third‑party app as the default email or browser app systemwide.

With this option, iPhone and iPad users who prefer third-party email apps like Spark or Edison or third-party browsers like Chrome or Opera will be able to use those by default when tapping on links that compose mail messages or open browser windows.

Apple has been criticized for forcing iOS users to use its built-in Safari and Mail apps, with no option to change those defaults, so this should be a welcome change for those who prefer third-party apps to Apple's own apps.

Apple also plans to allow third-party music services to be used on the HomePod for the first time.

Related Forum: iOS 14

Popular Stories

All Screen iPhone 2030 Feature Sans Text

iPhone 18 Pro: Nine Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 7, 2026 5:01 am PDT by
Apple is set to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models on Wednesday, September 9, and the devices are expected to feature a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a peppering of enhancements inside. Major changes are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone. If you're thinking of...
iPhone 18 Pro Dark Cherry Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Reportedly Starts With 256GB of Storage

Thursday September 3, 2026 9:22 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro has double the base storage compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, there will apparently be no further increase this year. Taiwanese research firm TrendForce today again reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models will start with 256GB of storage, like the iPhone 17 Pro models. Minimum storage capacities by model:iPhone 16 Pro: 128GB iPhone 17 Pro: 256GB iPhone 18 Pro...
Foldable iPhone Ultra Still Likely to Be Missing These Five Features 16x9 1

Foldable 'iPhone Ultra' Still Likely to Be Missing These Five Features

Friday September 4, 2026 3:00 pm PDT by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, dubbed the "iPhone Ultra," is expected to launch without at least four features that will be present on the iPhone 18 Pro models, despite a price tag of at least $2,000. The iPhone Air lacks Ultra Wide and Telephoto rear cameras, a SIM card slot, and stereo speakers. With a super thin design, a titanium frame, and a glass back, the iPhone Ultra is expected to ...

Top Rated Comments

81 months ago
How about Spotify as default music app...
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blackstick Avatar
81 months ago
Going to stick with Safari and Mail, but I'm sure this is welcome by a few.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
81 months ago
We need to be able to set default apps for everything like in Android, not just the mail and browser apps.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
81 months ago
Hopefully maps next year...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
81 months ago
Would love to see the same for third-party Camera Apps !
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
81 months ago

Useless. They should let developers use their own engine. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, they’re all Safari with a skin

Nice! Would be even better if other browsers could bring their own engines in with them, but this is good to see. Quite a day for announcements. Really feels like Apple is firing on all cylinders as far as focusing on all these different OS's at once. (I also expect them to be rough with bugs because of the amount of changes, but these changes are fantastic)
Genuinely curious why you guys want this? You get the user experience without any downsides of those engines, such as slow JS rendering and poor battery life. This has been proven in many tests.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)