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

[MacRumors]

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.

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.

Article Link: iOS 19 and iOS 20 Must Include a Long List of Major Changes, EU Says

 

[walnuts]

Haha Apple suddenly starts using cat names for iOS.. see Europe we never released iOS 19... just iOS Ocelot which doesn't have any requirements!

 

[bousozoku]

Hopefully, Apple have been planning for eventualities such as these, so they won't be starting from scratch. Dragging their heels will not be a good look on them.

 

[WilliApple]

Trump at this point should put tariffs on the EU until they exclude American companies from the DMA. They are stifling innovation
(This is a joke I promise)

 

[TechWhisperer]

It looks like the European Union is slowly dismantling iOS. I hope that Apple fights back and defend their IP.

 

[CraigB1960]

I tend to agree with Apple on this one.

 

[JamieLannister]

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?

 

[jz0309]

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.

 

[Kylo83]

Luckily the uk left the eu, they want to turn the iPhone into an android

 

[nt5672]

Seems like a good set of changes. Would have just been better if Apple made these decisions on their own. But nope, the walled garden is more important than the user experience.

 

[B-Mc-C]

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.”

 

[Nickerbocker]

Haha Apple suddenly starts using cat names for iOS.. see Europe we never released iOS 19... just iOS Ocelot which doesn't have any requirements!

Nice try. The deadlines are dates, not versions.

 

[JamieLannister]

Seems like a good set of changes. Would have just been better if Apple made these decisions on their own. But nope, the walled garden is more important than the user experience.

If I wanted trash, I'd buy trash. I buy into apple specifically for that tight integration across all of its products. iPadOS sucks, yes, but it all works cohesively together. Do I want my Chinese $10 bluetooth to work like AirPods Pro auto switch on apple hardware, of course I do! But it ain't gonna happen for most obvious reasons.

 

[architect1337]

Just withdraw from the EU market. They still have Nokia don't they?

 

[cocky jeremy]

Give give them base iPhones. No app store, nothing.

 

[BenGoren]

Well, on the bright side … Apple now has the perfect excuse to explain why Apple Intelligence still won’t amount to more than Siri giving you search results for egg freckles when you ask it to call your mother …

b&

 

[jsavvy]

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?

 

[HJM.NL]

Apple’s argument that this is stifling innovation is just BS. They will be forced to make their products more attractive so people still buy them instead of competing brands.

As always this last decade… Apple wants to rule out competition because that would hurt their sales 💰💰💰

No one is forced to use other brands, but at least you will be able to choose out of free will.

👍🏻

 

[Numbah One]

We had OS X for years on the Mac, Keep the iOS version at 18

 

[JamieLannister]

Give give them base iPhones. No app store, nothing.

Give them 64GB base storage again. While you're at it throw in the headphone jack and remove any sort of H1 chipset features.

 

[Sirious]

Leave competition as competition!!!

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

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?

Because these EU carmakers are global players.

There are no major EU technology companies, and that's why they're so butthurt. They dropped the ball a long time ago, and now they're trying to regulate competitors to withdrawal, instead of fostering innovation.

 

[JamieLannister]

Apple’s argument that this is stifling innovation is just BS. They will be forced to make their products more attractive so people still buy them instead of competing brands.

As always this last decade… Apple wants to rule out competition because that would hurt their sales 💰💰💰

No one is forced to use other brands, but at least you will be able to choose out of free will.

👍🏻

sorry I gotta side with apple - they are a business for profits. Their marketing is just bar none as you can see with the way they price their products to upsell you. but I have no gripes. Too bad there is no other maker that does things so cohesively like Apple products. It's not stifling competition others just can't compete because their products just suck. And yes I've defected apple gone to the other side and back again. So I'm speaking from lots of $$$ experience wasted.

 

[Rooskibar03]

The EU can eat a bag of "Richards"

 

[greenbreadmmm]

How would they do automatic third party audio switching without the h1 and h2 chip?