The Short Version
Apple released iOS 26.5 on March 15, 2025, allowing EU users to pair third-party wearables with iPhones using proximity pairing and receive interactive notifications, complying with EU Digital Markets Act requirements.
Apple lost the argument in Brussels, so now it wrote the rulebook for losing gracefully. iOS 26.5 lets third-party earbuds and smartwatches do things only Apple's own devices could do before, but Apple banned those same devices from using forwarded notifications for ads or AI training. Regulators forced the door open. Apple installed a bouncer.
Also Worth Reading
MacRumors
EU iPhone Users Get AirPods-Like Pairing and Notification Forwarding for Third-Party Wearables in iOS 26.5
Read →