Which iOS versions allow changing the default browser app and search engine?

1. How Apple changed the rules: iOS 14 opened the door

Apple’s structural change came in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, which for the first time let third‑party browsers and email clients be set as the system default; after that change, any app that implements the required settings can be chosen as the Default Browser App so links open in it instead of Safari ^[1][5][6].

2. Practical reality since then: “iOS 14 and later” is the baseline

Multiple how‑to guides and news outlets uniformly give iOS 14 (and newer) as the minimum operating system required to pick a non‑Safari browser as the default on iPhone and iPad; advice pieces published through 2024–2025 reiterate that if you run iOS 14 or later you can change your default browser in Settings ^[1][5][7][8].

3. Ongoing tweaks: iOS 17.4, iOS 18 and 18.2 added prompts and settings consolidation

Apple has layered changes onto that baseline. For EU users, iOS 17.4 introduced a browser‑choice prompt when users open Safari, and Apple’s developer documentation says the choice screen is shown to users in the EU running at least iOS 17.4 / iPadOS 18.2; iOS 18 introduced a new Apps section in Settings and iOS 18.2 added a dedicated Default Apps menu to simplify managing defaults ^[2][3][4][9].

4. Region and regulatory effects: the EU (and Japan) matter

Apple’s support and developer pages make clear that region matters: the EU browser‑choice screen is a regulatory response and appears for devices meeting the minimum OS requirement (iOS 17.4 / iPadOS 18.2 in Apple’s docs); Apple also notes a special prompt behavior in EU countries and Japan in its support guidance ^[2][9]. This means the user experience of choosing a default can differ by country even on the same iOS version ^[2][9].

5. Usability: newer iOS versions made the setting easier to find

Before iOS 18, changing defaults was possible but somewhat scattered across app settings; iOS 18 introduced a centralized Apps section and iOS 18.2 provided a single place to manage default apps, making the process easier and more discoverable for users ^[3][4].

6. Limits and caveats: engine and migration constraints

Reporting notes two important constraints. First, third‑party browsers on iOS historically must use Apple’s WebKit engine (with changes limited by regulation in some cases), so “third‑party” can mean a different UI and sync, but not necessarily a different rendering engine on many iOS versions ^[6]. Second, Apple’s browser‑choice migration behavior is specific: when migrating to a new device, if the previous default was Safari, that choice is not carried over and users may be required to reselect a default ^[2].

7. What the sources do not say (and what you should not assume)

Available sources do not mention a precise list of iOS point‑releases that introduced each micro‑tweak beyond the cited headlines (for example, exact build numbers), nor do they provide an exhaustive matrix of which third‑party browsers are eligible on each iOS release—Apple’s developer browser‑choice page lists qualifying criteria and country lists but not a simple “works on these versions” table in the snippets provided ^[2]. Sources also do not offer definitive technical benchmarks comparing performance of Safari versus third‑party defaults on specific iOS versions ^[6].

8. Bottom line for users and policymakers

If you want to set a non‑Safari browser as your default, run iOS 14 or later; if you live in the EU or Japan expect additional prompts and choice screens starting with iOS 17.4 / iPadOS 18.2 and enjoy easier default management in iOS 18 / 18.2 ^[1][2][3][4]. Journalistic caveat: region and incremental iOS updates changed the experience over time, so check the Settings > Apps or the browser’s app page in Settings on your device to confirm what your current iOS build supports ^[3][7].