With iOS 26, Apple offers the opening of SMS/MMS/RCS calls and messages to third -party applications. This feature, reserved for iPhone users in the European Union, marks a turning point for Apple.
An unprecedented opening under the pressure of the EU
Apple offered new APIs allowing developers to integrate calls for calls et SMS, MMS and RCS messages in their applications. Until now, these features have been exclusively reserved for Apple telephone and messages. In all likelihood, this development meets the current or future requirements of the European Union Markets Act (DMA), which pushes Tech Giants to open their ecosystems.
To take advantage of these capacities, European users will have to define a third -party application as a default application for calls or messaging on iOS 26. Without this configuration, the functionality will remain inactive. Note, Wi-Fi messages and calls were already accessible to third-party applications, but this new opening on iOS 26 is a notable advance.
To make the call configuration, you must go to Settings> Apps> Telephone> Default call app. Here, you have to choose an application at the “default numbering app”. And for SMS/MMS/RCS, it is in Settings> Apps> Messages> Default messaging app then you must make the selection in “messaging app”.
Restrictions in place
These new possibilities are limited to iPhone in the EU. Third -party applications on iPad or iPhone applications operating under macOS or visionos will not have access to it. In addition, to develop an application using calls, developers must have a recorded account in the EU. These constraints suggest that this feature will not be extended in the rest of the world, at least not in the near future.
This announcement reflects the impact of European regulations on Apple’s strategies. By opening up features formerly locked, the company adapts while maintaining strict control. It will now be necessary to see if users will see real interest in it. The vast majority may be satisfied with Apple telephone and messages, as currently.
