EU iPhone Users to Lose Key iOS 26 Features Over Digital Markets Act

Apple has confirmed that strict new rules under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) will delay or even block several iOS 26 features for European users. According to Kyle Andeer, Apple’s President of Legal, some upcoming updates won’t arrive in the EU, and a few might never launch there.

Potential Missing iPhone Features for EU Customers

Live Activities Delayed: Real-time lock-screen notifications for sports scores, ride-shares, and deliveries won’t roll out on European iPhones at the same time as elsewhere.
Mac Mirroring on Hold: The ability to mirror or extend your iPhone screen to a Mac remains unavailable in the EU, with no clear timeline for release.
AirDrop at Risk: Rumors suggest peer-to-peer file sharing via AirDrop could be restricted or removed in Europe to comply with new interoperability rules.

Apple vs. the EU Digital Markets Act

Apple argues that the DMA forces it to share proprietary technology with third parties, undermining both security and privacy. In a recent statement, the company claimed the EU’s privacy requirements are “unrealistic” and disproportionately favor certain competitors.

Concerns Over Fairness and Privacy

Apple has singled out Meta (Facebook and Instagram) as exploiting DMA clauses to demand access to core iOS technologies and user data irrelevant to their services. Meanwhile, Apple says it must stall features that millions of non-EU users will enjoy, simply to meet EU regulations that don’t apply equally to all tech companies.

What’s Next for EU Users?

Apple is continuing discussions with EU regulators to find a balanced solution. However, without changes to the DMA or its implementation, European customers may face higher effective costs paying full price for iPhones that ship with fewer capabilities than models sold in other regions.

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