Apple’s upcoming iOS 26.3 update is poised to change how iPhone and iPad users in Europe connect with accessories from other manufacturers. The improvements are part of Apple’s effort to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to foster competition and give developers fair access to platform technologies.
With iOS 26.3, Europeans will get simpler pairing and broader support for third-party earbuds, smartwatches, TVs, and other devices — options that were previously limited or required more steps to set up than Apple’s own accessories.
What’s New in iOS 26.3 for Third-Party Devices
Proximity Pairing
iOS 26.3 introduces AirPods-style proximity pairing for compatible third-party accessories. That means you can connect earbuds or other Bluetooth devices with a tap by bringing them close to your iPhone or iPad, rather than navigating deep into Bluetooth menus.
Notification Support for Wearables
In the EU, iPhone users will be able to forward notifications to non-Apple wearables such as smartwatches. This allows notifications from messages and apps to show up on compatible third-party devices in much the same way they do on Apple Watch. Notification forwarding can be enabled for one connected device at a time and will disable Apple Watch notifications while active.
These updates open doors for manufacturers of headphones, watches, and possibly TVs to offer a more integrated iOS experience than before.
Why This Matters for European Users
For years, Apple’s ecosystem has been known for smooth connectivity with its own devices like AirPods and the Apple Watch. Third-party accessories often worked only through standard Bluetooth pairing and lacked deeper integrations such as notification forwarding or automatic proximity setup.
That changes with iOS 26.3:
Setup gets simpler. New proximity pairing brings accessory setup closer to the effortless experience Apple users expect with AirPods.
More device choices. Wearables and headphones from other brands will work more naturally with iPhones and iPads, making Apple devices friendlier for users who prefer alternatives to Apple’s own products.
Notification control. You can decide which device receives alerts, expanding options especially for smartwatch users.
These enhancements are specific to the European Union to meet DMA interoperability requirements, and they are expected to be fully available in 2026.
Other iOS 26.3 Changes
In addition to third-party device support, iOS 26.3 also includes other minor improvements like a reorganization of wallpaper categories and a refined Android transfer tool that helps users switch devices more easily, though some of these features apply worldwide and not just in the EU.