Apple fails with DMA emergency brake: iPhone must become more compatible
The EU has rejected Apple's objections: the iPhone must be just as compatible with devices from other manufacturers as it is with Apple Watch & Co.
(Image: Sebastian Trepesch / heise medien)
Apple has failed in its attempt to get rid of the EU Commission's far-reaching interoperability requirements through exemptions. Accordingly, the company must further open up its iOS 26 and iOS 27 operating systems in many areas in accordance with the requirements. This is to ensure that devices from other manufacturers will be able to interact with iPhones just as well as Apple Watches, AirPods, and other accessories from the manufacturer have been able to do so far.
iPhone must become more compatible
Apple has been vigorously fighting the opening measures dictated in detail by the EU Commission for months: In June, the company filed an appeal with the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and at the same time attempted to obtain exemptions ("waiver clauses") for five of the nine specific requirements. The Commission has now rejected this completely, as can be seen from the recently published decision, which was already made in August.
According to the decision, the iPhone company wanted to prevent other smartwatches from displaying iPhone notifications in the same way as its watches have been able to do up to now. Apple also wanted to keep the convenient AirPods pairing by proximity for itself. " – as well as the convenient switching of the audio connection between the user's devices. Apple also demanded a waiver for the requirement for direct data exchange and automatic Wi-Fi connections, citing data protection and security concerns and infringement of intellectual property, among other things.
The regulators rejected the company's objections that a "waiver clause" was only intended for exceptional and unforeseeable cases when implementing the requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple's arguments are "generic and hypothetical", writes the Commission.
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Apple blocks functions in the EU
In response to the DMA requirements, Apple is blocking more and more functions for its EU customers as long as they are located within the EU member states: In addition to the live translation function of AirPods, these include iPhone mirroring ("iPhone sync") on the Mac as well as new location functions of iOS 26.
"They want to take the magic away – of having a tightly integrated experience that Apple provides – and make us like the other guys," Apple top manager Greg Joswiak complained about the EU Commission at a press event, as reported by the BBC. Regulators would "create a worse user experience," undermine innovation, "infringe on Apple's intellectual property," and "damage privacy and security," Joswiak said.
(lbe)
