Apple is once again pushing back against the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). In its latest move, the company confirmed to French publication Numerama that iOS 26.2 will remove automatic Wi-Fi network syncing between the iPhone and Apple Watch across EU countries.
According to the report, this change stems from Apple’s efforts to comply with the European Commission’s interoperability requirements, which compel the company to open key iPhone features to third-party developers.
Under iOS 26.2, the Apple Watch will no longer automatically connect to the same Wi-Fi network as its paired iPhone. While existing saved networks will still work, users will need to manually sign in on each device going forward. Apple has not commented directly on this specific feature removal but has previously said it is willing to disable functions in Europe if doing so protects user data from what it calls “data-hungry companies.”
EU Pressure for More Interoperability
Despite this setback for EU users, Apple is reportedly developing new interoperability tools to comply with the Commission’s demands. Code found in the iOS 26.1 beta suggests ongoing work to enable notifications from third-party smartwatches on iPhones—allowing more non-Apple devices to integrate with iOS.
Another rumored change involves adding a security PIN to AirDrop connections, potentially allowing Apple to maintain control over the feature’s security framework while still meeting EU data-sharing requirements. The company may need to roll out additional updates in iOS 26 and iOS 27 as negotiations with EU regulators continue.
Legal Challenge Still Ongoing
In May, Apple filed an appeal against the EU’s interoperability rules, arguing that some requirements threaten its user privacy and platform integrity. The case remains unresolved, and Apple maintains that it may further restrict certain features in Europe to safeguard its ecosystem.
