Apple Expanding Clipboard Sharing to Windows for iPhone Users

Apple is currently working on a solution that will allow iPhone users to share their clipboard with Windows PCs, in compliance with the interoperability requirements of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This move comes in response to a request filed by Microsoft for “Clipboard / Universal Clipboard (cross-device copy and paste)” under the DMA.

Under the DMA, Apple is obligated to provide third-party hardware and software companies with the same level of access to the iPhone that its own products have. This means that if an iPhone can share its clipboard with a Mac, it must also be able to do so with other platforms such as Windows, Android, or Linux.

While Apple is legally required to offer this interoperability, they only need to do so when a company requests it. Microsoft made the request, prompting Apple to commit to adding the feature. The new solution will follow patterns similar to the Accessory Notifications and Accessory Live Activities frameworks introduced on iOS 26.5.

The DMA does not require Apple to give complete control to third-party platforms, allowing for reasonable security gatekeeping. Microsoft will need to adopt AccessorySetupKit for user consent to necessary permissions when sharing the clipboard with paired accessories.

Microsoft’s request for Universal Clipboard interoperability also includes a related request for “Background execution for features like Universal Clipboard,” which would enable Windows to push tasks to an iPhone for background processes. Apple and Microsoft are still discussing the specifics of this feature’s implementation.

Apple rejected another request from Microsoft for access to iMessage, RCS, and SMS from an iPhone, stating that these features are part of iOS Messages, an Apple service. Universal Clipboard is not expected to be available in iOS 27 but could be introduced in iOS 28, with Apple committing to having it developed by fall 2027.

The implementation of Universal Clipboard may be limited to the EU initially, but there is a possibility of a global rollout. Apple typically limits changes for DMA compliance to the EU region, but some features, such as open NFC payments, have been introduced globally.