Apple could remove AirDrop from iPhones sold in the EU due to new EU Digital Markets Act rules. This legal battle may impact how European users share files between Apple devices. Learn what this means for iPhone users in Europe.
Reports Suggest Apple Might Remove AirDrop from iPhones Sold in the EU Than Open It Up to Third-Parties
The EU says Apple’s AirDrop and other features, like AirPods’ proximity pairing, give Apple an unfair advantage because they only work with Apple products. The Digital Markets Act requires Apple to open these features for third-party devices. Apple disagrees and has appealed this law.
If Apple loses the case or if the law stands as is, the company may stop offering some features like AirDrop on EU iPhones according to John Gruber of Daring Fireball. Apple believes these EU rules unfairly target only Apple and could limit innovation and user experience in Europe.
Gruber writes:
In the end, these deeply flawed rules that only target Apple — and no other company — will severely limit our ability to deliver innovative products and features to Europe, leading to an inferior user experience for our European customers.
What This Means for EU Users
If Apple removes AirDrop, sharing files easily and quickly between iPhones, iPads, and Macs would no longer be possible for EU customers. This would be a major shift since AirDrop is widely used for instant, wireless sharing without internet.
Gruber suggests that Apple has already limited features like iPhone Mirroring in the EU due to similar legal concerns. While it’s unlikely Apple would pull devices like AirPods or the Apple Watch from the EU market, removing AirDrop or proximity pairing features could happen.
Related: iPhone 16e Now Among Top 10 Bestselling Smartphones in Europe
The Bigger Picture
This clash between Apple and the EU highlights a larger fight over competition and control in the tech world. The EU wants more openness and competition, while Apple wants to keep its ecosystem closed and secure. Both sides make strong points, but the outcome could reshape how Apple products work in Europe.
For now, EU users should watch this space closely. Losing AirDrop would be a big deal for many iPhone owners, changing the seamless Apple experience they know.
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