Apple is actively pursuing its interoperability work imposed by the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in Europe. With the first beta of iOS 26.5, the company is testing new features that will allow third-party accessories (headphones, smartwatches, etc.) to better integrate with the iPhone. We knew the company was working on this, and now it’s becoming a reality.
The main new features being tested on iOS 26.5:
- Ultra-simple pairing “à la AirPods” (Proximity Pairing)
Headphones and third-party wearables will be able to benefit from pairing as simple as that of AirPods, like the latest AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Max 2. Simply bring the accessory closer to the iPhone or iPad for a pairing window to appear with just one tap. No need to go through the usual Bluetooth settings.
- Transfer of notifications to third-party accessories
Smartwatches and other third-party wearables will finally be able to receive notifications from the iPhone. Users can view and respond to them directly from the accessory, a feature previously reserved for the Apple Watch.
- Live Activities on third-party wearables
A new feature now allows Live Activities (live activities) to be transferred to third-party accessories. They will be integrated into the notification transfer system.
Important: Only one watch or pair of headphones can receive notifications at a time. Enabling transfer to a third-party accessory will automatically disable notifications on the Apple Watch.
Current status and timeline
These features are still in the testing phase in the iOS 26.5 beta. Apple has not provided a specific launch date, but the European Commission has indicated that these interoperability changes will be rolled out in Europe during the year 2026. Developers can already test these options with TVs, smartwatches, and third-party headphones.
Limitation in the European Union
As with other DMA requirements, these simplified pairing and notification transfer features will only be available in Europe, for users and manufacturers located in the EU. Other regions and countries will have to wait for a legal decision of the same order.
