Dark Pattern in Default Browser Choice Selector on iOS

[mtom55]

Description

iOS employs a clear dark pattern in order to:

1. Ensure it is difficult for users to change the default browser if it is set to Safari
2. Ensure it is easier for users to change the default browser back to Safari if another browser is the default

Details

The following image compares the settings page of Safari when it is the default browser and when it is not. When Safari is the default browser the default browser choice is hidden, but when Safari is not the default browser the choice appears.

For all other browsers the default browser choice selection is always shown:

Compounding Issues

The issue is compounded by:

1. Third-party browsers cannot prompt users to change the default.
2. Third-party browsers cannot detect whether they are the default.
3. Safari's settings are prominently positioned on the iOS settings page compared to third party browsers.
4. Searching for "default" or "default browser" in settings yields no results.
5. There is no centralized location for changing default apps (including browsers) on iOS.

Combined, these factors significantly restrict users' free choice in selecting and switching between their choice of browser.

Outcome

This issue is to document and then track the removal of this dark pattern.

The exact outcomes we would expect are listed in other issues including:

1. A centralised location with a browser-vendor-neutral UI in settings to remove the default browser.
2. The ability of browsers to ask the user to set their browser as the default.
3. The ability of browsers to detect if they are the default browser.
4. Ensuring that Safari settings are placed alongside with all the other apps and do not receive a privileged position in the settings list.
5. Ensuring that searching for "default" or "default browser" in settings displays the appropriate settings.