Possible this is tied to your carrier?

I don’t think carriers have the ability to install apps on iOS. I’ve always thought it’s weird that they can do that on android.

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burnt-resistor 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

They absolutely do. Some countries mandate some apps that cannot be removed. While Apple doesn't allow carriers to install mandatory bloatware apps, it allows country-specific "national security" apps and background processes that don't have app icons. It's been this way almost forever in pretty much every country that just about every mobile device, it's just Apple has been a bit better for users.

https://www.wired.com/story/apple-russia-iphone-apps-law/

https://9to5mac.com/2025/12/03/after-apple-refusal-indian-go...

	▲	waiwai933 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Those articles don't seem to support what you're saying? Russia's apps aren't preinstalled, they're just offered as suggestions, and India never got their app installed. I certainly don't see anything that mentions background processes in either article either.

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tjoff 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

What? Sounds like a US thing?