EU orders Apple to open up access to iOS notifications, allow AirDrop alternatives

Apple faces more scrutiny under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act. Cupertino has now received comprehensive guidelines for implementing interoperability, specifically regarding access to iOS notifications and alternatives for AirDrop and AirPlay.

Future iOS devices must feature full access to the iOS notification system, background execution privileges, and system feature access. Currently, these capabilities are exclusive to Apple products like AirPods and Apple Watches, but they should also be opened to third-party manufacturers.

Headphone manufacturers need access to system functionalities such as proximity auto-pairing and automatic audio switching. Additionally, other devices should be capable of utilizing similar features to AirDrop and AirPlay.

The requirements also included automatically granting access to Wi-Fi network information, enabling the NFC chip for user payment card details, and facilitating high-bandwidth peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connectivity.

All listed features must be free for every connected device. The European Union has mandated that frameworks and APIs must be accessible to third-party companies simultaneously with their launch on Apple devices; they cannot be introduced at a later date.

The timeline for implementing all measures indicates that they should enter beta by the end of the year, with a full rollout in 2026. It appears that most features will be available on iOS 19, but only for users in the European Union.

Apple stated that the decisions “slow down Apple’s ability to innovate” and that the EU forces Cupertino to give away new features for free to companies that don’t have to follow the same rules.

The company argued that it is being unfairly targeted by the DMA, letting others “freely leech off of it” – a bold claim from a company that locks down basic features, charges for what others offer for free, and blocks third-party innovations unless it gets a cut.

Source | Via

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