Apple is working on a new feature for headphones and smartwatches, developed by other brands. The Cupertino company is in fact obliged to provide the same interoperability between these devices and an iPhone as with its native solutions (AirPods and Apple Watch).
This functionality, wanted by the European Commission, appeared in the first beta version of iOS 26.5 (released this Monday). You can find all the changes in this article.
Why such a novelty?
Owners of Apple Watch and AirPods know that the connection between these accessories and an Apple product (iPhone, iPad or Mac) is very fluid. Open the case of your earbuds, and they pair automatically.
No latency, no need to go into settings. As a bonus you even have the right to a small animation on the screen, confirming that the connection has taken place. This very interesting feature remained exclusive to AirPods and Apple Watches for years.
Without Apple accessories, it’s impossible to claim it. Manufacturers simply did not have the freedom to work on such a solution. A disadvantageous situation which clearly did not make the European Commission smile.
It forced Apple to open up to third-party manufacturers. Apple has just given in, reluctantly, with iOS 26.5. Concretely, developers who wish will be able to set up a more fluid connection (and a little animation) between an iPhone and their devices.
But the interoperability between these accessories and the iPhone is based on 3 points. Coupling is just the tip of the iceberg. Europe insists that third-party smartwatches must be able to receive and read notifications, as the Apple Watch does with the iPhone. Finally, live activities should also come to these devices.
What release date?
Do you have a connected watch from another brand? You are therefore impatiently awaiting the arrival of this interoperability. Its appearance in the beta of iOS 26.5 should be a good signal, signifying a launch very close, but the functionality had already made a few passages in the betas of iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4, without ever being deployed for the general public.
Several analysts suggest that Apple is “playing for time” by deliberately slowing down the development of this feature. As long as the European Commission has not banged its fist on the table for this option to arrive on the iPhone, Apple is not going to be in a hurry.
