Apple Explains Why iPhone Mirroring Remains Unavailable in the EU on macOS Tahoe

[appahappa]

It's ridiculous to exclude millions of customers - I mean those who have iPhones and Macs. Also, what's so terrible about supporting screen mirroring between different platforms. One of the devices will always be APPLE. Also there is AirDrop, shared clipboards, features that work in the EU.

 

[iSayuSay]

Well it's not like you're missing much. iPhone mirroring is a bit silly. You buy $1K phone and get another $2K laptop to duplicate the screen and apps. Anything important like messages, OTP keys, passwords can be synced accross devices, so that's a moot point.

You want more of your phone, just pick up the phone.

 

[Big_D]

This is Apple hoping, if they refuse to release features and blame it on the EU, that the users will pressure the EU to get rid of the regulations...

But it just leaves them looking petty. The could, maybe, possibly is stupid, why not pick up the phone and ask them? Arrange a meeting and get it in black and white, whether it would fall under the DMA or whether they would have to allow hooks into the API, so that Android manufacturers can adde it to their systems. Then there is clarity, then they can say, "we can't bring it to Europe because it would weaken the platform." But the maybe-possibly is just dumb.

What they should do is bring it to the EU, get the users hooked on it and then threaten to take it away, if the EU tries to extend the DMA. Telling an addict they will have to go cold-turkey is a lot more likely to get a response than not allowing them to become addicts in the first place...

 

[Sophisticatednut]

...so, they don't actually have any reason for it. Random reminder that Microsoft - who also has to abide to the DMA rules - has been bringing similar function to Windows for years now. This is just the "we can't do web apps on iPad" nonsense all over again.

And yet again people in these comments are sheering on Apple's anti-consumer nonsense.

Almost like apples 27% that they also largely made up.l

 

[Baslea]

@Big_D
Apple clearly knows if they would in fact do so the EU would say that it does not fall into DMA.

 

[playtech1]

I like iPhone mirroring (am UK based), but it seems like a small price to pay to prod the tech giants to do the right thing in lots of areas.

 

[sirdir]

In other words, we did it out of spite. If the EU wants to demand any of this, they still can. And I hope the next law will be “you can’t hold back festures you offer anywhere else”

 

[AppliedMicro]

Instead of asking why this is the case, the EU will continue trying to penalize and regulate American enterprises out of a false sense of 'fairness'.

It’s a question of capital. And a cultural thing really, in my opinion.

America (well, at least the part covered by the so-called United States based with their capital in Washington DC, at least) loves “winners”. And it’s very tolerant of monopolists and anticompetitive and anti-consumer business practices.

The extent to which corporate ruthlessness, greed and abuse is defended - if not downright celebrated - in the U.S. of A. often baffles my European mind. But it - along with (at least on a federal level) lack of effective antitrust and consumer protection laws and enforcement thereof and access to capital certainly provides breeding ground for such successful American enterprises.

 

[sirdir]

Lol. You people wanted this. You wanted Mommy EU to hold your hand in the world of tech. You wanted regulation after regulation, invented fine after invented fine for Apple.

You're getting everything you wanted. Except for perhaps any new features for iPhone that is 🤣

Yep. Better than being the little b@ of the most valuable company. Interesting concept of freedom.

 

[toodeep]

FWIW Xiaomi, etc., offer their versions of Continuity, including phone Mac mirroring, in Europe & elsewhere.

 

[darngooddesign]

Literally one of Apple’s laziest app icons.

 

[surferfb]

I am so confused with Apple’s “argument” or better yet the lack of. Mostly because:
1. Windows have been offering screen mirroring for android devices for ages now.
2. MacOS is nowhere near the market share needed to be considered a dominant OS.
3. Apple already offers, in the EU, shared clipboard, airplay, access to the messages, passing phone calls to Macs, etc. So far, the EC never hinted at having any issues with Apple offering these iOS-MacOS connectivity exclusive features.

The EU regulation says that for "integration" features such as this one, if Apple offers it to itself it must allow competitors access to the same/similar APIs so competitors can build a competing feature. Given the security and privacy concerns with letting a third-party having complete and total access and control of a user's iPhone, it's understandable that Apple would rather not release that feature than give that sort of access to third-parties.

As to your point 3, you’re wrong, the EU has shown issue with some of those. The EU is demanding Apple let AirDrop and AirPlay work on Android. Apple very well could pull the feature in response. I wouldn’t be shocked if those go away in the EU. (not saying they definitely will, to be clear).

 

[Rokkus76]

Apple did not elaborate, but it might be worried about the European Commission eventually forcing it to expand iPhone Mirroring to Windows

God forbid Apple allows even those of us who use iPhone but Windows PC to use mirroring. It would be a tragedy... 🙄

 

[grovian]

TLDR: "We are afraid that we'll have to make a windows version of this feature just like Samsung and many others already did and that will make us sell less Macs. It is about money. Making a lot of it actually while blaming the EU for a regulation that does not exist"

 

[laptech]

Unfortunately for Apple, that is what happens when you make something that has the ability to work with non Apple products, the makers of the non Apple products start complaining why are they not allowed to use their product with the Apple product.

Apple needs to learn that the days of restricting their products to only work with other Apple products has long gone because todays technology has advanced so much that products from one company can now work another company.

The EU stopped these restrictions from continuing and has told companies they must all work together to allow their products to work with each others systems and devices. Yes it may suck that Apple does not like this approach but they are going to have to learn to live with it.

 

[MilaM]

As to your point 3, you’re wrong, the EU has shown issue with some of those. The EU is demanding Apple let AirDrop and AirPlay work on Android. Apple very well could pull the feature in response. I wouldn’t be shocked if those go away in the EU. (not saying they definitely will, to be clear).

Wi-Fi Aware is coming to iOS and iPadOS this fall, likely thanks to the pressure the EU has put on Apple to allow more interoperability. With these APIs developers will be able to implement AirDrop and AirPlay alternatives that will be working with non-Apple devices, which I think is a huge win for consumers.

 

[surferfb]

TLDR: "We are afraid that we'll have to make a windows version of this feature just like Samsung and many others already did and that will make us sell less Macs. It is about money. Making a lot of it actually while blaming the EU for a regulation that does not exist"

No. They’re afraid that their users’ privacy and security will be harmed when Apple is forced to let random third parties make apps that allow their phones to be controlled remotely, without unlocking the device.

Apple doesn’t even allow this feature on Macs without the proper security chip. They’re definitely not going to allow third parties implement it. But the DMA demands that if Apple offers it, others get to too. So the easiest solution is not to offer it. EU citizens should start getting used to it.

 

[Parowdy]

I often agree with the EU.
I do not now. Especially when there are more important things to consider, iPhone Mirroring is definitely not one of them.
Making a better Siri available to ALL iOS 26 capable devices would come to mind.
Prolonging the minimum warranty duration to 3 years would also make sense.
But this, this isn’t it chief.

 

[Sophisticatednut]

The EU regulation says that for "integration" features such as this one, if Apple offers it to itself it must allow competitors access to the same/similar APIs so competitors can build a competing feature. Given the security and privacy concerns with letting a third-party having complete and total access and control of a user's iPhone, it's understandable that Apple would rather not release that feature than give that sort of access to third-parties.

As to your point 3, you’re wrong, the EU has shown issue with some of those. The EU is demanding Apple let AirDrop and AirPlay work on Android. Apple very well could pull the feature in response. I wouldn’t be shocked if those go away in the EU. (not saying they definitely will, to be clear).

Again what do you think public consultation means? It’s not finalized yet and anything could change. And it’s no different from third party tv’s and soundbars can use airplay to communicate with iOS devices…
As it says
…in order to allow these applications and services to send files to, and receive files from, an iOS device.

And These measures are preliminary and might be adjusted subject to feedback from third parties and Apple as well as further investigative steps.

Edit: was finalized

No. They’re afraid that their users’ privacy and security will be harmed when Apple is forced to let random third parties make apps that allow their phones to be controlled remotely, without unlocking the device.

Apple doesn’t even allow this feature on Macs without the proper security chip. They’re definitely not going to allow third parties implement it. But the DMA demands that if Apple offers it, others get to too. So the easiest solution is not to offer it. EU citizens should start getting used to it.

Oh please, I can screen mirror my iPhone to my TV. Security isn’t their strongest argument nor primary motivator.

 

[Parowdy]

Next on the EU chopping block is Airdrop. They are trying to destroy everything

At least that would make sense. Working in an environment where files are being shared left and right but not being able to include Android users is not necessary these days.
Then again, can android users share amongst themselves?

 

[darngooddesign]

No. They’re afraid that their users’ privacy and security will be harmed when Apple is forced to let random third parties make apps that allow their phones to be controlled remotely, without unlocking the device.

Apple doesn’t even allow this feature on Macs without the proper security chip. They’re definitely not going to allow third parties implement it. But the DMA demands that if Apple offers it, others get to too. So the easiest solution is not to offer it. EU citizens should start getting used to it.

I have to unlock my iPhone before it will mirror with my Mac.

 

[surferfb]

Again what do you think public consultation means? It’s not finalized yet and anything could change. And it’s no different from third party tv’s and soundbars can use airplay to communicate with iOS devices…
As it says
…in order to allow these applications and services to send files to, and receive files from, an iOS device.

And These measures are preliminary and might be adjusted subject to feedback from third parties and Apple as well as further investigative steps.View attachment 2521352

Oh please, I can screen mirror my iPhone to my TV. Security isn’t their strongest argument nor primary motivator.

It was finalized.

Interoperability

Interoperability - Apple 6(7) specifications

digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu

 

[surferfb]

Wi-Fi Aware is coming to iOS and iPadOS this fall, likely thanks to the pressure the EU has put on Apple to allow more interoperability. With these APIs developers will be able to implement AirDrop and AirPlay alternatives that will be working with non-Apple devices, which I think is a huge win for consumers.

It’s coming because the EU demanded it. While it may be good for consumers (although it’s hardly used on Android, so I doubt it will be), having the government dictate how OSes work will be a net loss in the long run.

 

[darngooddesign]

Oh please, I can screen mirror my iPhone to my TV. Security isn’t their strongest argument nor primary motivator.

There is a pretty big difference between using your TV as an external screen and controlling your phone and accessing its data with another computer. Surely even you recognize the security differences.

 

[AppliedMicro]

Given the security and privacy concerns with letting a third-party having complete and total access and control of a user's iPhone, it's understandable that Apple would rather not release that feature than give that sort of access to third-parties.

This - the iPhone mirroring capability - is arguably one of the areas where Apple’s “security” argument has most merit.

It was finalized.

I don’t see iPhone mirroring covered in the EU’s implementing decision.