Apple will disable Wi-Fi synchronization between iPhones and Apple Watches in Europe, the company has confirmed, in response to European Union pressure to open up the iPhone’s wireless systems to third-party devices.
In a statement provided to French publication Numerama, Apple said the move is being made to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and to avoid new EU requirements that could force the company to share users’ Wi-Fi connection history with external developers.
The European Commission has reportedly been pressing Apple to allow third-party products — such as smart glasses or wearables — to access the same Wi-Fi link between an iPhone and an Apple Watch. Apple has resisted the proposal, arguing it would pose a serious privacy and security risk.
According to the company, granting such access could allow firms like Meta, for example, to track users’ locations through Wi-Fi connection data and deliver targeted advertising based on where and when they connect.
Apple says that since the EU is requiring equal treatment for third-party products, it has chosen to remove the Wi-Fi syncing feature entirely in Europe to remain compliant, rather than open up the system to competitors.
The change will come into effect before the end of 2025, when the EU’s new interoperability requirements take force.