iOS 26.3 opens AirPods-style pairing to third-party accessories in EU under DMA rules

Apple AirPods

Apple is expanding key iPhone features to third-party accessories in the European Union with iOS 26.3, marking another tangible impact of the Digital Markets Act. The update introduces AirPods-like proximity pairing and enhanced notification support for non-Apple devices, changes that regulators say will create new opportunities for both users and developers across Europe.

The European Commission has welcomed the update, explicitly crediting the DMA for pushing Apple to open up system-level capabilities that were previously reserved for its own products. Under the law, Apple is required to give third-party accessory makers the same access to device features that Apple hardware enjoys, removing long-standing advantages tied to the company’s ecosystem.

With iOS 26.3, EU-based wearable and accessory manufacturers can begin testing proximity pairing. This allows devices such as wireless earbuds to connect to an iPhone or iPad simply by being brought close to it, triggering a one-tap pairing prompt on the screen. The experience closely mirrors how AirPods pair today and removes the need for users to dig through Bluetooth settings or complete multiple manual steps.

Apple is also extending notification support to third-party accessories. Smartwatches and similar devices will now be able to receive notifications from the iPhone, letting users view and respond to alerts in a way that was previously limited to the Apple Watch. There are, however, some constraints. Notifications can only be forwarded to one connected device at a time, and enabling notifications for a third-party watch automatically disables them on an Apple Watch.

According to the European Commission, developers can already begin testing these new capabilities with third-party televisions, smartwatches and headphones running on iOS 26.3. The functionality is expected to be fully available across the European Union in 2026, giving manufacturers time to adapt their hardware and software to Apple’s revised frameworks.

Regulators described the update as another step towards a more interconnected digital ecosystem that benefits EU citizens. The changes are intended to reduce friction for consumers, lower barriers for device makers, and weaken the tight coupling between Apple hardware and iOS-exclusive features.

Apple is expected to release iOS 26.3 publicly towards the end of January. It is important to note that the new proximity pairing and notification features are limited strictly to the European Union. Device makers and users outside the EU will not see these changes, at least for now.

The update underlines how regional regulation is beginning to shape the iPhone experience in concrete ways. For EU users, iOS 26.3 brings Apple-like convenience to a broader range of accessories. For Apple, it signals a continued recalibration of its platform rules under regulatory pressure, with more changes likely to follow.