iOS 26.3 Adds AirPods-Like Pairing to Third-Party Earbuds in European Union

The European Commission today boasted that its Digital Markets Act (DMA) has brought “new opportunities” to European users and developers. The commission highlighted the interoperability changes that Apple is introducing in iOS 26.3 as evidence.

Thanks to the Digital Markets Act, Apple is required to provide third-party accessories with the same capabilities and access to device features that Apple’s own products get. In iOS 26.3, Apple adds features to help comply with the act.

The new capabilities that Apple is adding are:

• Proximity pairing – Third-party devices like earbuds will be able to pair with an iOS device in an AirPods-like way by bringing the accessory close to an iPhone or iPad, initiating a simple, one-tap pairing process.
• Notifications – Third-party accessories like smart watches will be now be able to receive, view, and react to incoming notifications from the ‌iPhone‌. That ability is normally limited to the Apple Watch. Notifications can only be forwarded to one connected device at a time, and turning on notifications for a third-party device disables notifications to an Apple Watch.

The EC says developers can now test third-party TVs, smart watches, and headphones the new features in iOS 26.3. The functionality will be “fully available in Europe” in 2026.

iOS 26.3, which is currently in beta testing and is expected to launch to the general public at the end of January, offers “another step towards a more inter-connected digital ecosystem to the benefit of all EU citizens,” according to the European Commission.

The changes will only available for device makers and ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ users in the EU.