Regulators push, Apple yields: Google Translate now default-ready on iOS📱

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After years of keeping its ecosystem tightly closed, Apple is loosening the reins—at least a little. With the release of iOS 18.4, iPhone and iPad users can now set Google Translate as their default translation app. Once unimaginable, this change is a direct result of growing regulatory pressure, particularly from the European Union.

EU regulations force Apple’s hand ⚖️

Apple has long been known for pushing its own apps as the only option for core system functions. But with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) now in effect, the EU is cracking down on Big Tech dominance, forcing companies like Apple to open up their platforms to competition.

That means Apple has had to adjust iOS, allowing users to select third-party apps not just for web browsing or messaging, but now—finally—for translation too.

Google Translate joins the default app club 🌐

As of May 2025, Google Translate is officially eligible to be your default translation app on both iPhone and iPad. With iOS and iPadOS 18.4, the feature is live and easy to enable.

Here’s how:

• Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Translate
• If you’ve installed Google Translate, just select it from the list.

And it’s not just about basic translation features—Siri now works with Google Translate, and some contextual menus in iOS have been updated to support it. That means smoother, more integrated functionality across the system.

A global shift driven by regulators 🌍

While this change was spurred by EU regulations, its impact is global. Countries like Japan are considering similar policies, and Apple appears to be getting ahead of the curve by rolling out these changes worldwide.

In effect, the EU is setting the tone for international tech policy, pushing Apple to rethink its global approach. It’s a sign of how the power dynamics between governments and tech giants are beginning to shift.

A small change, a big shift for Apple 🍏

At first glance, the ability to change your translation app might seem like a small tweak. But it’s emblematic of a much broader transformation. For years, users have complained about Apple’s walled garden approach. This is one of the clearest signs yet that Apple is starting to open that garden—just a little.

In the long run, this move could reshape how Apple interacts with its user base. By enabling smoother integration of third-party services, Apple is slowly moving toward a more flexible, user-driven model.

The start of something bigger for iOS 🔄

This may seem like a minor update, but it could signal a larger evolution in Apple’s ecosystem. For the first time, iOS users can genuinely customize core parts of their experience—in this case, how they translate text—without being locked into Apple’s defaults.

And if this shift continues, we could be looking at a future where innovation and competition are no longer sidelined, but actively encouraged—to the benefit of users everywhere.

👉🏾 What app would you love to set as default on your iPhone? Let us know in the comments.