The European Commission has set firm dates for compliance, starting with iOS 19 and extending into iOS 20. By the end of 2025—likely with iOS 19.2—third-party smartwatches must be able to display and interact with iOS notifications, breaking Apple’s tight grip on wearable integration. Come June 1, 2026, around the time of iOS 19.4, third-party headphones will gain access to Apple’s automatic audio switching feature, a perk previously reserved for AirPods and select Beats models. This lets devices seamlessly hop between your Mac and iPhone based on what you’re using.
The mandates don’t stop there. By the same June 2026 deadline, iOS must allow third-party apps to replicate AirDrop’s file-sharing prowess. And by the end of 2026—coinciding with iOS 20’s expected September release—third-party streaming services must offer AirPlay alternatives, matching Apple’s wireless audio and video capabilities. These staggered deadlines mean Apple will roll out changes incrementally, with iOS 19 laying the groundwork and iOS 20 finalizing the overhaul.
What’s Driving the Shift?
The DMA, a cornerstone of EU tech regulation, seeks to curb the dominance of “gatekeeper” companies like Apple by enforcing interoperability. For iPhone users, this could mean more choice—imagine your Fitbit buzzing with iMessage alerts or Spotify streaming via a rival to AirPlay. The Commission argues it’s about fostering competition and giving consumers options beyond Apple’s walled garden. Details of the full requirements are available on the European Commission’s website, but the gist is clear: Apple’s ecosystem must open up.
Apple, however, isn’t thrilled. In a statement, the company called the rules “bad for our products and for our European users.” They argue that the mandates wrap them in “red tape,” slowing innovation and forcing them to hand over proprietary features to competitors for free. It’s a familiar refrain from Cupertino, which has long touted its closed system as a strength for security and cohesion.
A Redesigned Future Meets Regulatory Pressure
The timing couldn’t be trickier for Apple. iOS 19, set to debut at WWDC 2025 in June and launch publicly in September, is already poised for a major design overhaul. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports it’ll adopt a visionOS-inspired look with transparent interfaces, marking one of the biggest redesigns since iOS 7. iOS 20, expected a year later, will build on that foundation. Now, Apple must weave these EU-mandated changes into an already ambitious roadmap, balancing aesthetics with compliance.
For users, the practical upside is enticing. Third-party devices could feel less like second-class citizens on iOS, syncing more naturally with your iPhone. But there’s a flip side: Apple warns that opening these systems might dilute the seamless experience fans expect. Automatic audio switching, for instance, relies on tight hardware-software integration—can third-party headphones match that without Apple’s secret sauce?
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about tech specs—it’s a tug-of-war over control. The EU sees Apple’s ecosystem as a gatekeeper stifling competition; Apple sees it as a carefully curated experience worth protecting. For European iPhone users, the changes could unlock new possibilities by late 2025 and beyond, though not without tradeoffs. Globally, it’s a test case: if the DMA succeeds, other regions might follow suit.
As Friday, March 21, 2025, approaches—AppleMagazine’s next publication date—these mandates add urgency to Apple’s software plans. iOS 19 and iOS 20 won’t just be about flashy new interfaces; they’ll be battlegrounds for balancing regulation, innovation, and user expectations. Whether Apple can thread that needle remains to be seen.
