With iOS 26.5, iPhones in the EU can suddenly do things that were previously exclusive to Apple Watch and AirPods – but not with Apple devices, rather with those of other manufacturers. Proximity pairing, interactive notifications, and Live Activities are now also available to smartwatches, headphones, and TVs from other brands. This is due to the Digital Markets Act, which compels Apple to open up its services.
With the release of iOS 26.5 today, Apple has activated a number of interoperability changes exclusively for EU users. This concludes a multi-month testing phase that began with the iOS 26.3 betas and is now reaching the wider user base with the final version. Specifically affected are features previously considered ecosystem-specific advantages – such as one-tap pairing, familiar to many AirPods users. Apple is thus implementing requirements of the Digital Markets Act, alongside the other new features in iOS 26.5.
Three key changes for EU users
The most important new feature concerns pairing. Third-party headphones in the EU can now use the same proximity pairing that distinguishes AirPods: simply take the earbuds out of the packaging, hold them near the iPhone, a pop-up card appears, and the connection is established with a single tap. This requires the manufacturer to integrate the necessary technology into their devices – Apple provides the interface, while the implementation is the responsibility of the manufacturers.
The second change concerns notifications. Third-party smartwatches and similar wearables will now be able to not only display iPhone notifications but also interact with them – for example, replying, rejecting, or acknowledging them directly from the watch. Previously, this was the exclusive domain of the Apple Watch; third-party providers could only read the notifications. Importantly, forwarding only works to one device at a time. Enabling notifications on a third-party smartwatch will automatically disable them for any Apple Watch connected simultaneously.
The third feature enhancement concerns Live Activities. These ongoing, real-time displays—for example, for delivery tracking, sporting events, or timers—could previously only be shown on the Apple Watch. With iOS 26.5, they can now also be shared with wearables from other manufacturers and displayed there in a similar format.
Implementation is the responsibility of the manufacturers
One important limitation lies in the implementation: Apple provides the interfaces with iOS 26.5, but the individual functions don't automatically appear on every third-party device. Accessory manufacturers must integrate the new APIs into their devices and the corresponding companion app themselves. This won't happen overnight – firmware updates, app adjustments, and possibly new model series are necessary before the functions become truly usable for end users.
The range of supported device categories is broad: Smart TVs, smartwatches, and headphones will all be able to take advantage of the new features. With this, Apple is not only opening up the wearables market, but also the living room to closer iPhone integration beyond its own Apple TV.
Data protection guidelines in the Developer Agreement
To prevent this opening from becoming a privacy gray area, Apple has amended its Developer Program License Agreement. Forwarded notifications and Live Activities may not be used for advertising, profiling, training AI models, or location tracking. This information may also not be shared with third parties.
The requirements are a deliberate attempt to reconcile DMA compliance with Apple's privacy marketing. Manufacturers who want to use the new features thereby accept binding rules for data processing. For end users, this means an additional layer of protection that applies regardless of whether a wearable device is from Apple or another provider.
What the reopening means for buyers
For EU buyers, the change is more than just a minor detail. Until now, there was a clear difference in convenience between AirPods and all other Bluetooth headphones used with the iPhone – pairing by proximity, seamless battery level display, and switching between Apple devices were noticeable advantages of the original. This very advantage is now diminishing as manufacturers follow suit.
The same applies to smartwatches: Anyone who previously used a model from another manufacturer with their iPhone had to live with significantly reduced notification functionality. The newly enabled interactivity doesn't make the Apple Watch obsolete, but it does diminish the unique selling point of Apple's own wearables.
Technology beats politics
This step is mandated by regulations, not voluntary. The Digital Markets Act obliges so-called gatekeepers – that is, dominant platforms – to open their interfaces to competitors. Apple is among the most prominent entities subject to this classification and has already had to make several structural adjustments in recent months, for example to its App Store model and browser standard.
The newly activated wearable features are another building block in this adaptation policy. Interestingly, Apple isn't limiting itself to the bare essentials, but rather drawing a line with data protection guidelines. This positions Apple as a platform operator that implements the DMA requirements without compromising its own privacy standards.
EU special path with global signal effect
These features are exclusively available to EU users – those using iOS 26.5 outside the EU won't see any of them. Such regionally fragmented feature sets are becoming routine for Apple: sideloading, alternative app stores, and now the opening up of wearables only exist because and where it's required by regulations.
For wearable manufacturers, the opening of the EU is nevertheless a strategically important lever. Those who better integrate their hardware into the iPhone ecosystem can at least leverage the added value in other markets through marketing. Whether these features will ultimately gain global traction will depend on the implementation efforts of accessory manufacturers and the usage patterns of EU consumers.
Wearable market is moving closer to the iPhone
With iOS 26.5, Apple is quietly shifting some of its platform power to third-party developers in the EU. The move is small in terms of functionality, but significant in its impact: For the first time, wearables from other manufacturers can offer features on the iPhone that were previously considered ecosystem premium. How quickly and consistently the industry adopts this will determine whether the opening becomes noticeable in everyday use or whether Apple's own hardware retains its advantage in terms of convenience. Time for some new accessories? Visit our Amazon storefront and discover a wide selection of products from leading manufacturers, including those compatible with HomeKit! (Image: Shutterstock / New Africa)
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