Apple will let everyone set new default phone and messaging apps with iOS 18.2 https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/23/24277926/apple-iphone-default-messaging-apps-ios-18-2 - not just geo-fenced to EU, which is relief to non-EU devs and testers. Let's have all the EU improvements go global!
@brucelawson very good news however unfortunately still no joy on alternative browsers of app stores…
> the big stuff, like support for alternative app stores and browser engines, has mostly been confined to the EU
while personally I probably wouldn’t switch browser, the alternative app stores would be incredibly useful!