iOS 19 and iOS 20 Must Include a Long List of Major Changes, EU Says - MacRumors
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iOS 19 and iOS 20 Must Include a Long List of Major Changes, EU Says

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The European Commission today announced a long list of changes that Apple is legally required to implement in future iOS 19 and iOS 20 updates.

Generic iOS 19 Feature Mock
The announcement clarifies interoperability requirements that Apple is required to adhere to in the EU, under the Digital Markets Act, which has been fully enforced since March 2024. The changes will further open up the iPhone and its technologies to competing companies and devices, and Apple is really unhappy about it.

We will be publishing an in-depth overview of all of the requirements, but in the meantime we have highlighted some key items below.

  • Third-party smartwatches must be able to display and interact with iOS notifications by the end of 2025, which likely means iOS 19.2 or earlier.
  • Apple must make its automatic audio switching feature available to third-party headphones by June 1, 2026, which likely means iOS 19.4 or earlier. This is the feature that allows most AirPods and select Beats to automatically switch connection between Apple devices, such as a Mac and an iPhone.
  • Apple must make changes to iOS that allow for third parties to offer equivalent AirDrop alternatives by June 1, 2026.
  • Apple must make changes to iOS that allow for third parties to offer equivalent AirPlay alternatives by iOS 20, or the end of 2026. iOS 20 is expected to be released to the general public in September 2026.

Apple has until iOS 20 to meet specific aspects of some of the requirements.

The entire list of changes can be found on the European Commission's website.

Apple criticized these requirements as "bad for our products and for our European users."

"Today's decisions wrap us in red tape, slowing down Apple's ability to innovate for users in Europe and forcing us to give away our new features for free to companies who don't have to play by the same rules," said Apple, in a statement.

iOS 19 will be announced at WWDC 2025 this June, and iOS 20 will follow a year later.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Tags: European Commission, iOS 20
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Top Rated Comments

JamieLannister Avatar
JamieLannister
19 months ago
Most outrageous demands. If I wanted the features of an iPhone, I buy an iPhone. What's next expect Toyota parts to fit Mercedes? Expect BMW to allow Kia accessories to integrate into its system?
Score: 106 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
CraigB1960
19 months ago
I tend to agree with Apple on this one.
Score: 94 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechWhisperer Avatar
TechWhisperer
19 months ago
It looks like the European Union is slowly dismantling iOS. I hope that Apple fights back and defend their IP.
Score: 70 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jsavvy Avatar
jsavvy
19 months ago
I actually agree with Apple on this. If nothing else, these other companies should be able to license the technologies for a nominal fee. Why should Apple just hand out their features for free?
Score: 54 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
jz0309
19 months ago
More bureaucratic BS from the EU, but what else could we expect?
Sounds like Apple will split up iOS development and the EU will not get certain features, and that’s fine with me.

Just one thing EU, stop saying you’re doing this for the benefit of the end-user, cause that is the biggest BS if all.
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
B-Mc-C
19 months ago
So basically forcing Apple to open source their business in the EU. Surprised they are not also requiring a revenue share with the third parties. Apple should pull out of the EU at this point. “Anything that differentiates the iPhone/ecosystem or makes it more desirable must be provided to others at your expense.”
Score: 50 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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