{"id":52874,"date":"2025-03-19T17:29:05","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T16:29:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/?p=52874"},"modified":"2025-03-19T17:29:40","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T16:29:40","slug":"apple-under-pressure-eu-forces-opening-of-ios-19-and-ios-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/en\/news\/apple-unter-druck-eu-erzwingt-oeffnung-von-ios-19-ios-20","title":{"rendered":"Apple under pressure: EU forces opening of iOS 19 & iOS 20"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apple is under pressure. The EU Commission has issued new regulations that force Apple to open up key iOS features to devices from other manufacturers. This includes smartwatches, headphones, GPS watches, and mixed reality headsets. Until now, the use of certain features was limited to Apple hardware, but this is set to change with iOS 19 and iOS 20. Apple warns of security issues, privacy risks, and a slowdown in its own innovations. The EU sees things differently, citing increased competition and better options for consumers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple has pursued a clear strategy for years: a closed system in which all products are perfectly coordinated. Anyone who owns an iPhone can ideally use it with an Apple Watch, AirPods, or the Vision Pro. Other manufacturers have difficulty integrating their devices with iOS. The EU no longer wants to accept this. It sees Apple as a "gatekeeper," i.e., a company with a dominant market position, and demands greater openness. The new requirements are based on the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a law that obliges large tech companies to increase interoperability (via EU<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Apple needs to change now<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Apple is forced to open up numerous iPhone features to third-party developers. The most important changes at a glance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better support for smartwatches and headphones<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Until now, only Apple Watches could receive and respond to notifications from the iPhone. That needs to change. Smartwatches from other manufacturers should also be able to use this feature. This means that, for example, a Garmin or Samsung watch can be connected directly to an iPhone without Apple restrictions. Likewise, automatic audio switching, which previously only worked with AirPods, will be enabled for other headphones. This makes it easier to switch seamlessly between iPhone, iPad, and Mac \u2013 regardless of the manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More freedom for third-party apps<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Companion apps for third-party accessories will now be allowed to run in the background for longer periods. This allows them to retrieve current data and communicate with the devices more quickly. Previously, many apps had to rely on workarounds because Apple severely limited their background runtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easier connections and data exchange<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Apple must enable devices without the Apple logo to communicate more easily with the iPhone. This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n