As previewed earlier this year, changes to the browser choice screen, default apps, and app deletion for EU users, as well as support in Safari for exporting user data and for web browsers to import that data, are now available in the beta versions of iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2.

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Following feedback from the European Commission and from developers, in these releases developers can develop and test EU-specific features, such as alternative browser engines, contactless apps, marketplace installations from web browsers, and marketplace apps, from anywhere in the world. Developers of apps that use alternative browser engines can now use WebKit in those same apps.

John Gruber:

I just spent a few minutes trying to figure out how this works, but haven't found it. If anyone can point me to the answer, let me know. It's kind of bananas that EU-specific features couldn't even be tested outside the EU until now.

Riley Testut:

If you're on 18.2 you can test installing alternative marketplaces from websites (e.g https://altstore.io/download), which means they'll download but you still can't launch them

I'm also assuming it means I'll be able to actually test installing apps with AltStore PAL without having to fly back to Europe, but need to wait ~72 hours for Apple to process my UDID to confirm.

Juli Clover (Hacker News):

With iOS 18.2, iPhone users in the European Union can fully delete a number of core apps, including the App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera, and Photos.

John Gruber: