Your iPhone uses preinstalled Apple apps by default for system actions like opening links, making phone calls, and more. But iOS lets you set new default apps in a variety of categories, and the available options expanded in iOS 26. Here are the details.
iPhone users can set new default apps in the Settings app
iOS has let users set new default iPhone apps in a variety of categories for years. But over time, the number of options has steadily expanded.
iOS 26 has continued this expansion, especially for users outside the US.
Due to differing government regulations around the world, iPhone users might have more or less options for default apps depending on their location.
To update the default apps on your iPhone, open the Settings app and go to Apps ⇾ Default Apps.
You’ll see descriptions there of each app category and what exactly will happen when you set a new default.
Here are all of the latest options per Apple’s support document, broken down by where they’re available.
Default app categories you can change in iOS 26
All iPhone users
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