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

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

zorinlynx Avatar
12 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
12 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
12 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
12 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
12 months ago
Thank you EU - ?? ?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bousozoku Avatar
12 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)