EU Orders Apple to Open iPhone NFC Access to Third-Party Devices

A new ruling by the European Commission will require Apple to grant third-party devices access to a range of iOS connectivity features. This means iPhone users will soon be able to make payments with their choice of NFC-enabled wearables using a stored card, rather than being restricted to Apple Pay.

The decision builds on last year’s agreement between Apple and the EU to allow third-party developers to offer host card emulation-based alternatives to Apple Pay.

According to the European Commission, the ruling will enhance interoperability by enabling device manufacturers and app developers to integrate more seamlessly with iPhones. This includes improved notification display on smartwatches, faster data transfers through peer-to-peer Wi-Fi and NFC, and simplified device pairing.

“As a result, connected devices of all brands will work better on iPhones,” the Commission stated. “Device manufacturers will have new opportunities to bring innovative products to the market, improving the user experience for consumers in Europe.”

The ruling specifies the measures Apple must implement to ensure effective compatibility between iOS and third-party connected devices, covering nine key iOS connectivity features.