December 23, 2025, 5:23 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
While headphones can be quickly and easily paired with Android smartphones via NFC, this has not been possible with the iPhone. Instead, Apple relies on so-called Proximity Pairing, where AirPods are automatically recognized as soon as they are nearby. With the current beta of iOS 26.3, Apple is opening this feature to third-party manufacturers.
EU Regulations Force Apple to Open Its Systems
By opening the lid, AirPods are automatically ready to pair with the iPhone. For headphones from other manufacturers, the detour through the Bluetooth settings is necessary. The European Commission sees this as a competitive disadvantage for Apple’s competitors. Therefore, it has formulated strict interoperability requirements that Apple must implement in the coming years.
The requirements are part of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and oblige the company to provide third-party vendors with equal access to key system functions. With iOS 26.3, Apple is opening important interfaces to accessory manufacturers for the first time. According to the commission, manufacturers of wearables and other connected devices can already test the new functions, as reported by “The Wall Street Journal.”
New Possibilities for Pairing Devices
Apple is using the pre-release version of iOS 26.3 to implement a series of EU requirements. These include the simplified switch from iPhone to Android and message forwarding to devices other than the Apple Watch. According to “MacRumors,” Proximity Pairing is now also included. When a device is brought near an iPhone or iPad, a simplified pairing process starts automatically with just one confirmation.
The European Commission had given Apple until the end of 2025 to open this feature in an iOS beta for third parties. Previously, connecting third-party devices often required several steps in the settings. With iOS 26.3, this cumbersome process is eliminated. According to the commission’s timeline, the feature must be available to end users by June 1, 2026.
Also of interest: Apple Forces iPhone Users to Switch to iOS 26
The commission has explicitly praised Apple’s new interoperability features in iOS 26.3. It is further evidence of the impact of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to create more competition and better usability in the European digital market. According to the commission, both developers and users in the EU benefit from the new regulations.