iOS 26.2 to Remove iPhone–Apple Watch Wi-Fi Sync in EU
Normally, when an iPhone connects to a new Wi-Fi network, it automatically shares the network credentials with the paired Apple Watch. This allows the watch to connect to the same network independently – for example, when the iPhone isn’t nearby – without the user needing to enter the password manually.
The feature’s removal appears to be Apple’s response to the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) interoperability requirements, which Apple has publicly criticized on more than one occasion. Under the DMA, regulators want Apple to open iPhone Wi-Fi hardware access to third-party accessories by the end of 2025.
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Apple has previously warned that complying with EU interoperability requirements could give “data-hungry companies” access to sensitive information, including notification content and complete Wi-Fi network histories.
It seems perfectly reasonable that if I have a third-party watch I should be able to opt into having my phone share Wi-Fi info with it. You can debate whether mandating this is the proper role of government, but the status quo is clearly anti-competitive and bad for the user experience. I’m open to hearing a story where Apple’s position makes sense, but so far it just seems like FUD to me. What is the argument, exactly? That Fitbit, which already has its own GPS, is going to sell your access point–based location history? That Facebook is going to trick you into granting access to their app even though they have no corresponding device?
Of course, what they mean is “Apple refuses to let third party watches share known wifi connections, so they’d rather cut off their nose to spite their face.”
At this point I don’t know where Apple will draw the line if they now even touch existing features, albeit not a very big one. I just can’t fathom how leadership still cannot see that they lost.
Previously:
- Apple’s Thoughts on the DMA
- Apple Appeals EU Digital Markets Act Interoperability Rules
- DMA Compliance: Watch and Headphone Interoperability
- Apple Restricts Pebble From Being Awesome With iPhones
- Can Anyone But a Tech Giant Build the Next Big Thing?
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Apple is sharing wifi networks info — the names AND the passwords — between iPhone and Apple Watch, right? So I assume that's what this is about.
A quick scenario:
I could create an app that harvests wifi names AND passwords. I wouldn't need a device to trick folks into do this, but a device would make it easier. Let's call it "free wifi passwords, everywhere" A social networks for sharing wifi.
Not secure at all but seems really useful, right? I know lots of people who'd install and grant permissions for that.
Or, say I have an "AI device that I wear" that I am sharing all that info with. That company goes out of business, and some unscrupulous company buys up that database that has everyone's wifi/password data. Very nice!
So there's a couple vectors to ponder.
@else Yes, it's called user agency. I fail to see how Apple infantilizing its users is the good alternative.
Also, your scenarios don't really hold the scary prepositions you think they do. Users already share their Wifi passwords with robotic vacuums, smart fridges and what not. China already has all WiFi passwords by virtue of owning Roborock and Dreame. Likewise, if a "free wifi db" app is created, that demands you share the Wifi password with it to get access to the database, users will gladly provide the passwords. just like they've done with similar apps for contacts, location, etc. So what exactly has Apple protected other than their wearables business.
Patiently waiting to hear Gruber's quality take on this.
@Someone else In theory, you would need an entitlement to prompt for access, and Apple wouldn’t grant it to such an app.
Regarding passwords, I thought the general guideline has long been that Wi-Fi shouldn’t be treated as secure, anyway. Only rely on HTTPS. Within my house, there are probably already more than 2 dozen devices that have my password. In public, most networks don’t have passwords, anyway. I think that's why Apple describes the potential danger being in “network histories,” e.g. tracking you from McDonald’s to Starbucks to the mall.
I do not find it convincing that no one should have access to their own Wi-Fi data because some hypothetical company might go out of business and sell it.
All of this seems less dangerous to me than apps that have access to the Contacts database, which has long been the case, and was exploited multiple times, yet it’s still allowed (as it should be).
guess Apple’s engineering really is slipping- they somehow figure out a way to preserve privacy whenever it benefits them, but something that might benefit users outside the walled garden? Guess that’s just too difficult.
