EU demands that Apple provide support for third-party devices on iOS and iPadOS

By: Elena Shcherban | 21.09.2024, 14:35

The European Commission (EC) has initiated two proceedings to help Apple fulfil its interoperability obligations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

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The key requirement is to provide free and effective compatibility between iOS and iPadOS and third-party developers. Simply put, Apple must open up its ecosystem to third-party devices such as wireless headphones, smart watches, and virtual reality headsets. This includes fully enabling normal device pairing, notifications and connectivity.

The second requirement requires Apple to accept iOS/iPadOS compatibility requests from third-party developers. The EC wants Apple to handle requests in a "transparent, timely and fair manner" and at no additional cost.

The review will last for six months. If Apple fails to comply, it could face a fine of up to 10% of its global annual turnover.

Source: europa.eu