EU mandates Apple to enhance iOS compatibility with third-party wearables and accessories

Apple Faces EU Commission Proceedings Over Interoperability with Third-Party Devices

Update: Apple has responded to the recent developments by sharing a statement with 9to5Mac:

“At Apple, we’re proud of the fact that we’ve built over 250,000 APIs that allow developers to build apps that access our operating system and functionalities in a way that ensures users’ privacy and security. To comply with the DMA, we’ve also created ways for apps in the European Union to request additional interoperability with iOS and iPadOS while protecting our users. Undermining the protections we’ve built over time would put European consumers at risk, giving bad actors more ways to access their devices and data. We will continue to work constructively with the European Commission on a path forward that both protects our EU users and clarifies the regulation.”

The European Commission, under the Digital Markets Act, has announced proceedings against Apple to enhance support for third-party connected devices such as smartwatches, headphones, and VR headsets with iPhones and iPads.

According to the notice, the Commission will outline how Apple should facilitate interoperability with iOS functions like notifications and device pairing. Within the next six months, Apple will receive instructions on how third-party device integration should be implemented.

The Digital Markets Act has always mandated gatekeeper platforms, including iOS and iPadOS, to be interoperable with third-party hardware. However, the specifics of the law were intentionally left vague.

The specification process initiated by the EU will provide detailed guidelines specifically relevant to Apple’s case, focusing on cross-brand integration with iPhones and iPads. This process is expected to be finalized within six months.

Apple seems to have already taken steps in this direction with its iOS 18 update, which includes support for a setup experience similar to AirPods for compatible third-party accessories.

Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s executive vice president of competition policy, stated that this marks the first time such specification proceedings have been initiated. The goal is to guide Apple towards effective compliance with its interoperability obligations through constructive dialogue, offering clarity for Apple, developers, and third-parties.

In due course, Apple is anticipated to update its operating systems to align with the specified guidelines; failure to do so may result in remediations and fines. Apple is already under investigation for alleged violations of the Digital Markets Act in relation to the App Store. The company has previously been fined $2 billion by the EU for breaches related to anti-steering provisions in the music streaming market.