iOS 18.4 Adds a Highly-Requested Setting to iPhones — But Not in U.S.

iPhones are finally getting a much-requested setting, but availability is limited.

Apple Maps vs Google Maps Feature
The upcoming iOS 18.4 update introduces an option to set a default navigation app, other than Apple Maps, but unfortunately this new setting is limited to users in the EU. There, you can now set an app like Google Maps or Waze as your default navigation app on the iPhone by opening the Settings app and tapping Apps → Default Apps → Navigation.

Apple made this change in response to the EU's Digital Markets Act.

Apple, we would love to see this option made available worldwide.

Apple has at least made a small concession for U.S. users, allowing them to set a default translation app on iOS 18.4. For example, you can set Google Translate as your iPhone's default translation app, instead of Apple Translate.

iOS 18.4 is currently in beta testing. The update will be released to the general public in early April, according to Apple's website.

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.1 Coming Soon: New Features for Your iPhone and Release Date

Monday October 27, 2025 7:55 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more. Below, we outline key details about iOS 26.1. Release Date Given that Apple has yet to seed an iOS 26.1 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version, the...
iOS 26

6 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.1

Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below. Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...
maxresdefault

Apple TV 4K Could Still Launch Before 2025 Ends: All the Rumored Features

Monday October 27, 2025 4:51 pm PDT by
Apple is designing an updated version of the Apple TV 4K, and rumors suggest that it could come out sometime in the next couple of months. We're not expecting a major overhaul with design changes, but even a simple chip upgrade will bring major improvements to Apple's set-top box. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. We've rounded up all the latest Apple TV rumors. ...
M6 MacBook Pro Feature 1

M6 MacBook Pro: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Monday October 27, 2025 9:15 am PDT by
Apple this month refreshed the 14-inch MacBook Pro base model with its new M5 chip, and higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to follow in early 2026. However, these machines will represent the final update to the current design, with Apple reportedly developing a completely new version of the MacBook Pro packed with next-generation hardware...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1 Release Candidates

Tuesday October 28, 2025 1:07 pm PDT by
Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 updates for testing purposes. The RCs betas come a week after Apple released the fourth betas. The new betas can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software...
iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

iOS 26.1 Beta Liquid Glass Battery Drain Test: Tinted vs Clear Mode

Friday October 24, 2025 2:30 pm PDT by
In the fourth iOS 26.1 beta, Apple added a "Tinted" option that reduces the translucency of Liquid Glass for those who prefer a more opaque look. I saw some comments wondering whether the setting might preserve battery life, so I thought I'd do some testing. Test Settings I did four separate tests using the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I kept the parameters as similar as possible. Here are the...
ios 26 digital id passport wallet

Apple Says U.S. Passport Feature on iPhone is Coming Soon

Monday October 27, 2025 7:41 am PDT by
You will "soon" be able to add a digital version of your U.S. passport to your iPhone, according to Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. Bailey reiterated that the feature is coming soon during her keynote at the Money20/20 USA conference in Las Vegas on Sunday. On its iOS 26 page, Apple says the delayed feature will be "coming later this year." Apple's...
macos tahoe

Here Are Apple's Release Notes for macOS Tahoe 26.1

Tuesday October 28, 2025 1:21 pm PDT by
Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of macOS Tahoe 26.1, which means the update will likely see a public launch next week. The release candidate includes notes on what's in the update, so we have a full picture of the new features that Apple has included. macOS Tahoe 26.1 adds AutoMix support over AirPlay, improved FaceTime audio...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Another Vehicle Brand Gaining iPhone Car Keys Support

Tuesday October 28, 2025 5:27 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to bring support for its digital car key feature to Jetour vehicles, according to evidence uncovered on Apple's backend by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. Introduced in 2022, Car Keys allows an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock a vehicle through the Wallet app. A digital version of a car key is stored in Wallet, and unlocking can be done by holding an Apple Watch or...

Top Rated Comments

zorinlynx Avatar
8 months ago
Can we please just not with the clickbaity headlines? That headline was just freaking terrible.

Why not just write, "iOS 8.4 adds the ability to choose your navigation app, but not in the US"
Score: 57 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
8 months ago

Can we please just not with the clickbaity headlines? That headline was just freaking terrible.

Why not just write, "iOS 8.4 adds the ability to choose your navigation app, but not in the US"
I understand your feedback, and I want to share my personal thoughts on this below. I do not speak on behalf of MacRumors as a whole.

I have seen many independent ad-supported news websites or blogs struggle in recent years, or even shut down. iMore, as one example within the Apple news sphere.

I think MacRumors provides excellent coverage of Apple news and rumors on a daily basis. I view the odd title like this one that might be more casual or withhold some details as a subsidy in a sense. These stories generally receive more views, which helps to support our organization and the many other quality stories we write with straightforward titles or more depth.

AnandTech shutting down is a sad example of how focusing 100% on quality alone isn’t always enough to stay afloat. They offered incredibly deep technical analysis.

The alternative solution that some sites like The Verge have turned to is a paywall, which is totally fine, but that also upsets some readers!

If you want MacRumors to exist for free for many years to come, like I do, then I hope you can see where I’m coming from. Still, thank you for voicing your totally valid feedback.

It’s also totally your right to simply disagree with me and/or thumbs-down this post, but I’m not sure that changes the reality of the situation for ad-supported web publications.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iObama Avatar
8 months ago

iOS is now officially fractured.
Becoming less anti-competitive in the smallest way possible ≠ "officially fractured"
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProbablyDylan Avatar
8 months ago

iOS is now officially fractured.
I'd like to remind the class that this is the choice Apple made. The EU only mandated that the option be there - Apple chose to limit it to the EU.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
apples_arrogance Avatar
8 months ago
Thank you EU - ?? ?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bousozoku Avatar
8 months ago

iOS is now officially fractured.
Well, they could actually make the operating system more configurable, instead of fighting it. If they do it everywhere, with a few exceptions, they'll have less to fight.

They can still make money on equipment and software they produce.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)