The European Commission is planning measures to open up Apple’s closed ecosystem. The aim is to improve interoperability with third-party devices and services.
The most important facts in brief
- Integration of third-party devices: In future, smartwatches and earphones from other manufacturers should be able to use the same iOS functions as Apple’s own products
- Opening up AirDrop and AirPlay: These services will be compatible with comparable protocols from other providers
- Extended background activities for apps: Third-party apps are to be given full access to background functions.
EU Commission wants to open up Apple ecosystem
Apple is considered one of the most successful tech companies in the world. The Californian iPhone inventor’s recipe for success is undoubtedly its closed ecosystem. Without an iPhone like the iPhone 16 (€ 952.20 *) or another iOS device, nothing works here.
So if you want to use popular peripherals such as the Apple AirPods 4 (€ 179.00 *) or Apple Watch Series 10 (€ 444.00 *) or transfer options such as AirDrop, you have to use an iPhone. You won’t get any further with an Android device. As we reported a few days ago, Xiaomi wants to change this situation.
The Chinese tech company is apparently currently working on an app that will make Apple accessories usable for Android devices. And Android users may also be able to benefit from this app in our climes. Conversely, Apple is currently still granting its own peripherals special iOS features that headphones and smartwatches from third-party manufacturers cannot offer.
The EU Commission wants to change this and has published a document proposing measures to weaken Apple’s monopoly position in certain areas. Feedback is currently being sought from Apple and other stakeholders to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of these proposals.
What measures is the EU planning?
The planned measures could fundamentally change the iPhone ecosystem. A key point is the requirement that Apple grant third-party devices, such as smartwatches and wireless earbuds, the same iOS privileges as the Apple Watch and AirPods. This would include features such as automatic pairing, notifications and background activity.
In addition, services such as AirDrop and AirPlay would be opened up to third-party protocols to ensure wider compatibility. These changes could enable manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei to offer products that interact seamlessly with iPhones and provide a similar user experience to Apple’s own devices.
Reaction from Apple
Apple has reacted to the EU’s proposals with concern. In a statement, the company said that such an opening could jeopardize the privacy and security of users. Apple points out that it has already received requests from companies such as Meta that want access to sensitive data such as messages, emails and photos. The company warns that unrestricted background activities of apps could potentially be misused to steal personal data or record screen content.
Possible impact on users and the market
If the EU measures are implemented, this could intensify competition on the market for accessories and apps. Users would have a greater choice of compatible devices and services, which could lead to more innovative and cheaper offers. At the same time, however, there is a risk that opening up the iOS system too much could create security vulnerabilities and impair the user experience.
