Apple has agreed to stop crippling alternatives to AirDrop, AirPlay, Apple Watch and more for EU iPhone owners
Apple must implement platform changes for EU iPhone owners to enable third parties to create alternatives to AirDrop, AirPlay, Apple Watch, AirPods, and more.
iPhone owners in the European Union (EU) already enjoy sideloading and alternative app stores. Still, the bloc has now leveraged the Digital Markets Act to impose other changes to the iPhone’s operating system to enable interoperability with third-party devices and stop crippling alternatives to AirDrop, AirPlay, Apple Watch and more.
One requirement is that iOS provide third-party devices like smartwatches with full, unencrypted access to iOS notifications. Another is that such apps should be given background execution privileges so that third-party smartwatches enjoy the same level of integration as the Apple Watch.
Interoperability changes will bring a better experience with third-party devices, but only for EU iPhone owners
The European Commission also wants the company to implement changes that would allow third-party devices and apps to offer alternatives to AirDrop file sharing, AirPlay streaming, and more. AirDrop and AirPlay are systemwide features that benefit from tight integration with iOS.
Makers of headphones and headsets will finally be able to implement AirPod-like features, such as automatic device switching and proximity pairing that Apple jealously kept to itself. To that end, the company has already implemented new APIs in iOS 18 that third-party Bluetooth and Wi-Fi accessories can use to pair with an iPhone via an AirPods-like process.
The EU has also ordered Apple to automatically allow third-party accessories to access Wi-Fi network information and high-bandwidth device-to-device connections. There are more expectations in terms of the iPhone’s NFC chip being used for contactless transactions. iOS already supports setting a default payment app, although no compatible apps are available yet to take advantage of that functionality. The EU now wants Apple to share payment card details with connected devices when using a third-party service.
Changes coming via iOS 19 and iOS 20
The EU has agreed with Apple that third-party support for iOS notifications, background execution, proximity pairing, and more will enter testing by the end of 2025 and roll out fully in 2026. This means these features will arrive as part of iOS 19 and iOS 20. Apple must provide the necessary frameworks and APIs for third-party developers free of charge, at the same time as first-party access.
“Developers will benefit from a fast and fair handling of their interoperability requests,” reads the ruling. “The measures will accelerate their ability to offer a wider choice to European consumers of innovative services and hardware that interoperate with iPhones and iPads.” Third-party developers can sign up for interoperability with iOS and iPadOS via a new Apple page.
In fact, the EU isn’t stopping there; it has mandated that Apple provide any future first-party hardware integrations to other companies. The goal here is to close the gap between access to the system functions that Apple itself enjoys and that which it provides to third parties to level the playing field.
This will benefit iPhone owners, but only in the EU. Apple hates that its walled garden is crumbling in the EU. The company absolutely won’t bring these changes to iPhone owners in other parts of the world unless compelled by similar rulings.
Apple hates these changes
Apple has provided the following statement to the press:
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. 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.”
The comment isn’t entirely unexpected. Apple reacted with similar statements when the EU forced it to make other concessions it begrudgingly implemented.
“Effective interoperability for third-party connected devices is an important step towards opening Apple’s ecosystem,” said Teresa Ribera, EU’s executive VP for clean, just and competitive transition. “This will lead to a better choice for consumers in the fast-growing market for innovative connected devices.”
In its December 2024 report, Apple argued that the EU’s new approach to interoperability will put its users at risk, “requiring them to open their devices—and their most sensitive data—to companies with a track record of violating their privacy.”
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/03/19/apple-eu-iphone-interoperability-changes-announcement/
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