iOS 26.2 introduces a first‑run prompt that lets iPhone users in Japan pick a default search engine in Safari, a change that aligns the platform with upcoming local competition rules.
The selection screen appears after installing iOS 26.2 and presents five options: Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo Japan, and Ecosia. Elsewhere, Google remains the default and users must switch providers later in Settings. Apple is also enabling support for alternative app marketplaces in Japan in the same software release.
Availability and rollout
The search‑engine choice screen is limited to Japan in iOS 26.2 and shows immediately after the first boot following installation. Users outside Japan can still change their Safari default, but only by visiting Safari settings after setup.
The timing lines up with Japan’s regulatory deadline in mid‑December. The update is expected to reach the public around that window, bringing the new prompt to new device setups and existing iPhones that update to iOS 26.2 in Japan.
New features in iOS 26.2 (Japan)
| Feature | What changes | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Safari search engine choice | First‑run prompt to select default from Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo Japan, or Ecosia | Japan |
| Alternative app marketplaces | System support to install third‑party app stores | Japan |
| Default behavior elsewhere | Google remains default; users can change in Safari settings after setup | Most other countries |
While Google dominates globally, Yahoo Japan maintains strong usage locally, which makes the initial choice screen more relevant for Japanese users. Outside Japan, Apple has historically kept Google as the default provider; court filings have indicated Google pays Apple roughly $20 billion per year for that placement.
Regulatory status
The change stems from Japan’s mobile software competition framework, which requires a neutral search choice during initial setup and opening iOS to competing app marketplaces. The Japan Fair Trade Commission’s published guidelines outline these requirements and take effect on December 18, 2025. You can read the regulator’s guidance in the JFTC’s mobile software competition guidelines (PDF).
Apple has already implemented similar measures in the European Union, and Japan is now joining that list with iOS 26.2. Users in Japan should expect a slightly different setup flow and expanded distribution options for apps once the update lands.
With iOS 26.2, Apple is tailoring the setup experience and distribution model to Japan’s rules while keeping the rest of the platform unchanged globally—for now.
