The European Commission has published a list, which requires Apple to make major changes to iOS 19 and iOS 20. This changes.
EU publishes list
This year iOS 19 is coming to the iPhone and it was already clear that it is a major update. According to rumors, the new iOS version gets a different design and more applications are expanded with Apple Intelligence. Apple has big plans for iOS 19, but more changes are being added. The European Commission has published a list that states which adjustments Apple must make in iOS 19 and iOS 20.
This is due to the expansion of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This law has been in force since March 2024 and must ensure fairer competition on the digital market. Because of the DMA it is now possible to use multiple web stores on your iPhone and to set other applications that are used as standard for your camera or mail, for example. Apple has already made many adjustments, but there will be even more in iOS 19 and iOS 20.
iOS 19 and iOS 20
In the list of European Commission, four important changes are mentioned that Apple must make in iOS 19 or iOS 20. The most striking adjustment is about supporting smartwatches. Apple is obliged to better integrate smartwatches from other brands into the iOS software.
Now only Apple Watches receive reports from iOS. According to the EU, that must be possible at the end of 2025 with all smartwatches. Apple has to adjust that with iOS 19.2 or earlier. You can finally link smartwatches from other brands to your iPhone. Now that is only limited, so that with an iPhone you often have no choice but an Apple Watch. The European Commission wants to change that.
Do you regularly wear headphones or earphones, but are they not AirPods? Then you get a handy function, because Apple is obliged to make a popular function of the AirPods universally available. Airpods change trouble -free between your iPhone, iPad and Mac (book). This function is now exclusively for the AirPods, but must also be available for earphones and headphones from third parties before 1 June 2026. Apple must implement this change in iOS 19.4 or earlier.
Even more changes
In addition, streaming content becomes easier, because Apple is obliged to add alternatives to AirPlay to iOS. Now AirPlay is still the only option to play photos or videos from your iPhone on another device. At the end of 2026 that must be different according to the European Commission. Apple probably does not bring this adjustment to your iPhone with iOS 19. Chances are that this will only happen in iOS 20.
The same applies to AirDrop, Apple must also add alternatives to iOS. For example, it should be possible for third parties to roll out an alternative to AirDrop on the iPhone. The deadline for this change is on 1 June 2026. Probably Apple AirDrop adjusts in a later iOS 19 update.
With iOS 19 and iOS 20, European users get many more options. We still have to wait and see how Apple takes over these changes, because the company has already indicated that it is not happy with the new obligations.
Download the iPhoned app
