Configure the Default Apps Library Item

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This Library Item requires iOS 26 or iPadOS 26.

What is the Default Apps Library Item?

The Default Apps Library Item allows administrators to configure default applications for web browsing, messaging, and calling on iOS and iPadOS devices. This Library Item provides centralized control over which applications users will see as defaults when opening links, sending messages, or making calls.

Administrators can optionally restrict users from changing these default applications once they are set. This feature is available for iPhone and iPad devices running iOS 26+ and iPadOS 26+.

How Default Apps Work

This Library Item uses Apple's MDM Settings command to configure default applications and the Restrictions profile to prevent users from changing these settings. Once deployed, it sets your chosen applications as defaults for their respective categories.

Users can manually change default applications by going to Settings > Apps > Default Apps on their iPhone or iPad, unless you've enabled the restriction option.

Prerequisites

Ensure you have the following before configuring the Default Apps Library Item:

  • Devices running iOS 26+ or iPadOS 26+

  • Device supervision (required only if preventing users from changing defaults)

  • Apps installed on devices before configuring as defaults

  • Apps must have proper developer entitlements to be set as defaults

Configure the Default Apps Library Item

To add this Library Item to your Kandji Library, follow the steps outlined in the Library Overview article.

Configure the three settings for default browser, messaging app, and calling app. These settings default to Not configured.

  1. Select the dropdown to view available applications

  2. Choose from previously-added App Store app Library Items or stock applications (Safari, Messages, Phone/FaceTime). You can also search for specific apps instead of scrolling through the list

  3. If desired, check the boxes to Restrict the user from changing the default.

  4. Click Save.

This option is enabled by default when a category is configured and prevents users from changing the default application selection.

Library Item Options

Default Browser

  • Setting: Choose the default web browser application

  • Options: Previously-added App Store app Library Items or Safari

  • Restriction: Enable to prevent users from changing the default browser

Default Messaging App

  • Setting: Choose the default messaging application

  • Options: Previously-added App Store app Library Items or Messages

  • Restriction: Enable to prevent users from changing the default messaging app

Platform Support

  • Icons within each app record indicate individual platform support

  • Sourced from the Installs on field from the specific App Store app Library Item

  • Ensure app compatibility with all platforms in the Installs on field

User Experience

Once deployed, users will see your configured applications as defaults when:

  • Opening web links

  • Sending messages

  • Making calls

Users can manually change these defaults by going to Settings > Apps > Default Apps on their device, unless you've enabled the restriction option.

Considerations

When configuring the Default Apps Library Item, keep the following requirements and limitations in mind:

App Entitlement Requirements

Apple requires specific app entitlements for third-party apps to be configured as defaults. Currently, there is no programmatic way to determine if an app is eligible to be set as default.

To verify app eligibility: Deploy the app to a test device and check Settings > Apps > Default Apps to confirm the app appears as an available option.

Installation Requirements

  • Apps must be pre-installed: The apps selected in the Default Apps Library Item must already be installed on the device for the Library Item to function properly.

  • Installation failures: If a selected app is not installed when the Default Apps Library Item is deployed, the Library Item will fail.

  • Command priority: The Library Item has a lower command priority than App Store apps to help mitigate race conditions during installation.

Platform Compatibility

When selecting a default app, ensure the app is compatible with all platforms specified in the Installs on field.

Compatibility conflicts: If the selected default app is not compatible with all specified platforms, a blocking error will be presented.

Example: If configured with Installs on = iPhone, iPad but the default app is only compatible with iPhone, you will need to either:

  • Remove iPad from the Installs on field, or

  • Select a different app that supports both platforms