The European Union is taking credit for new interoperability features appearing in Apple’s iOS 26.3 beta, claiming its Digital Markets Act (DMA) forced the tech giant to make it easier for users to switch to competing platforms. The update introduces native tools for migrating data to Android devices and allows third-party smartwatches to receive iPhone notifications within the EU, a significant shift for Apple’s historically closed ecosystem.
According to statements from the European Commission, the new features are a direct result of an investigation into Apple’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act. The beta release allows developers to test a new data transfer system that simplifies moving from an iPhone to an Android device. A spokesperson for the Commission stated the changes represent “another step towards a more interconnected digital ecosystem.” Apple has not yet announced a public release date for iOS 26.3.
- iOS-to-Android Migration: A new built-in tool allows direct, wireless transfer of data including photos, messages, apps, and settings to an Android device (company claim).
- Third-Party Wearable Support: A “Notification Forwarding” feature enables non-Apple smartwatches to display iPhone notifications, though the company has limited this capability to users within the EU (company claim).
These changes arrive amid intense regulatory pressure on tech “gatekeepers.” The DMA is designed to prevent large platforms like Apple from leveraging their market power to stifle competition. While Apple presents these as user-centric updates, EU regulators have publicly framed them as forced concessions, as reported by outlets like The Wall Street Journal. The EU-only limitation on smartwatch notifications highlights Apple’s strategy of making changes only where legally mandated, rather than adopting a global policy of open interoperability.
The new features are currently in beta for developer testing, with a public rollout expected in a future iOS update. The industry will be watching closely to see if these tools meaningfully impact user retention and whether Apple’s implementation fully satisfies the DMA’s requirements. Continued scrutiny from the European Commission is likely, as regulators monitor whether these changes genuinely foster a more competitive digital market or merely represent the minimum required for compliance. More information can be found on Apple’s official website as updates become available.
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