• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, March 20, 2025

The European Commission made a decision that Apple must comply with certain aspects of its interoperability under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Interoperability would mean a seamless integration with third-party products throughout Apple's ecosystem to open new possibilities for third parties to develop innovative products and services across its platforms. It will give consumers a wider choice of products in Europe that are compatible with Apple devices. 

eThe commission detailed measures required to satisfy compliance and enable interoperability with iOS interoperability. The goal is to ensure third-party accessory makers have the same opportunity to connect to iPhones as Apple’s own devices and is targeting about nine features. 

One list of measures would improve on the transparency and effectiveness of the process that Apple uses for developers interested in interoperability with iPhone and iPad features. It includes improved access to technical documentation on features not available today to third parties, as well as timely communication and updates, and a more predictable timeline for the review of interoperability requests.

Measures also include a list of connected devices like third-party smartwatches and full access to the iOS notification system, as well as background execution privileges. This would describe details like how the Apple Watch works with the iPhone.

Headphone makers will gain access to system that support AirPods, including proximity auto-pairing and automatic audio switching. Other types of connected devices must also be able to make equivalent features to system services like AirDrop and AirPlay.

Other requirements include automatically providing access to Wi-Fi network information to accessories, enabling high-bandwidth peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connections, and opening up the NFC chip to communicate data such as user payment card details to third-party connected devices.

It has been made clear that the EU expects all features provided by Apple to support interoperability free of charge, for any type of connected device.

The EU also expects Apple to make the relevant frameworks and APIs available as they are released as Apple platform features.

The EU believes developers will benefit from "fast and fair" procedures will their ability to offer a wider choice to European consumers.