Apple is disabling the automatic WiFi password sharing feature between iPhone and Apple Watch for users in the European Union with the release of iOS 26.2. This feature normally allows the Apple Watch to connect to new WiFi networks through the iPhone without manually entering the password. However, due to compliance requirements under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, Apple is removing the feature instead of opening access to third party devices. The regulation requires Apple to provide broader access to specific iPhone hardware components to ensure fair competition.
Reports indicate that regulators requested Apple to allow other device manufacturers access to the iPhone’s WiFi hardware capabilities by the end of the year. Rather than grant that access, Apple is choosing the option that avoids potential privacy risks. The impact for users will be mild because the Apple Watch can still connect to a WiFi network manually and will remember the password after the first entry. The feature loss affects convenience but does not remove the ability to connect.
Apple has stated that opening up its hardware system could expose user data to outside companies, such as historical network connection data or sensitive notifications. The company previously pointed out that Meta was among the companies requesting deeper hardware access, emphasizing that compliance could create vulnerabilities that compromise user privacy.
Apple is currently appealing the EU commission decision, arguing that forcing deeper interoperability could degrade user security and weaken the product experience. The disagreement underscores a growing tension between Apple and EU regulators over whether innovation should be limited by compliance or whether openness is necessary to ensure fair competition across devices.
Apple’s decision shows a clear stance: when the choice is between convenience and user privacy, Apple will sacrifice convenience. The bigger question is whether more features will be removed in future software updates as regulatory pressure increases.
 ORIGIN: Macrumors
