The European Union has instructed Apple to further open up the iPhone’s connectivity features so third-party devices like smartwatches and headphones can tap into certain iOS features.
The move is part of the EU’s enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which is intended to foster healthy competition among tech companies by creating a level playing field among social networks, search engines, video-sharing platforms, operating systems, cloud systems, and more. It designated a few large companies as “gatekeepers” who are subject to scrutiny.
That group includes Apple. Last fall, the EU kicked off a six-month proceeding to ensure Apple was complying with the DMA’s interoperability requirements. This week, it concluded that investigation and outlined what Apple must do to comply with the DMA.
The EU pointed to nine iOS features that are “predominantly used for connected devices such as smartwatches, headphones, or TVs.” The EU is ordering Apple to allow “device manufacturers and app developers improved access to iPhone features that interact with such devices (e.g. displaying notifications on smartwatches), faster data transfers (e.g. peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connections, and near-field communication) and easier device set-up (e.g. pairing).”
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iOS notifications
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Background execution
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Automatic audio switching
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High-bandwidth peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connections
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Close-range wireless file transfers
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Media casting
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NFC Controller in Reader/Writer mode
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Proximity-triggered pairing
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Automatic Wi-Fi connection
All of EU’s new instructions come with deadlines. The iOS notification feature for smartwatches and proximity-triggered pairing for headphones must be implemented by June 1, 2026, while instructions to build alternatives for AirDrop and AirPlay must arrive by the end of 2026.
The EU also wants Apple “to increase the transparency and effectiveness of the process that developers need to follow to obtain interoperability with iOS and iPadOS.” Effectively, the EU wants Apple to provide developers with proper documentation on how to build alternatives for AirDrop and AirPlay. Additionally, the Commission has asked Apple to create a channel for developers to submit their technical queries and feedback regarding the implementation of software and hardware features on iOS and iPadOS.
All of EU’s new instructions come with deadlines. The iOS notification feature for smartwatches and proximity-triggered pairing for headphones must be implemented by June 1, 2026, while instructions to build alternatives for AirDrop and AirPlay must arrive by the end of 2026.
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Unsurprisingly, Apple is not happy. “Today’s decisions wrap us in red tape, slowing down Apple’s ability to innovate for users in Europe and forcing us to give away our new features for free to companies who don’t have to play by the same rules,” Apple said in a statement provided to 9to5Mac. “It’s bad for our products and for our European users. We will continue to work with the European Commission to help them understand our concerns on behalf of our users.”
In June, the EU accused Apple of violating the DMA by preventing app developers “from freely steering consumers to alternative channels for offers and content”—the first time the commission had taken action against a major tech company for DMA violations.
Prior to that, Apple was fined for its App Store practices and forced to allow third-party app stores on its devices. Additionally, the EU’s USB-C mandate forced Apple to ditch its proprietary Lightning port and adopt USB-C ports for charging on all iPhones sold across the globe.
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About Jibin Joseph
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