Commission publishes summary of DMA decision on Apple iOS interoperability
The European Commission has published the Summary of its 19 March 2025 decision under Article 8(2) of Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 (Digital Markets Act) in Case DMA.100203 concerning Apple’s iOS interoperability with connected physical devices. Following Apple’s 2023 gatekeeper designation, the decision clarifies the scope of Article 6(7) DMA and sets out detailed technical and procedural obligations to ensure that third-party devices—such as smartwatches, headphones, and TVs—can interoperate with iOS on equal terms with Apple’s own hardware.
Concluding a six‑month specification process launched on 19 September 2024, the Commission’s decision requires Apple to unlock key iOS capabilities via complete, well-documented, and freely available APIs. The measures cover: full access to and interaction with iOS notifications for third-party smartwatches; reliable background execution for companion apps; intelligent automatic audio switching for third‑party headsets; high‑bandwidth peer‑to‑peer Wi‑Fi; developer access enabling alternatives to AirDrop and AirPlay; NFC access for uses including contactless payments and card reading; and seamless pairing with iPhones, including access to saved Wi‑Fi credentials.
Interoperability must be provided without charge and without user friction compared to Apple’s native experiences. Apple must also offer technical support to third parties and ensure continuity of access as new iOS functionalities are introduced. The decision stresses parity of treatment between Apple’s own devices and competing products at the level of user experience, performance, and reliability.
Implementation is subject to deadlines set out in the annex to the decision. The Commission will monitor compliance and continue engaging with stakeholders to secure effective enforcement of the DMA. Non‑compliance risks the full enforcement toolkit under the DMA, including periodic penalty payments and potential behavioral or structural remedies.
