Apple is gearing up to comply with the European Union’s new Digital Markets Act by implementing several user-facing initiatives, according to a new compliance document published by the company. By the end of 2024, EU-based iPhone users will have the option to uninstall Apple’s first-party Safari browser, while a more “user-friendly” data transfer method from an iPhone to a non-Apple phone is in development and expected to be available by fall 2025.
The document outlines additional features, including a “browser switching solution” to transfer data between browsers on the same device, slated for release by late 2024 or early 2025. By March 2025, users in the EU will also have the ability to change the default navigation app on iOS.
While it’s not explicitly stated whether these features will be available globally or exclusive to EU users, previous compliance efforts by Apple have been limited to the bloc. The phone data transfer feature aims to facilitate easier data migration from iPhones to non-Apple phones, building upon existing migration tools offered by other companies.
Google currently provides an iOS app called “Switch to Android” for transferring data, but it has limitations such as not transferring paid apps, Safari bookmarks, alarms, and certain miscellaneous files. Apple’s new solution is expected to address some of these gaps, enhancing the overall data transfer experience for users.
