Overview
- Apple confirmed to French outlet Numerama that iOS 26.2 will stop syncing known Wi‑Fi networks from iPhone to Apple Watch for users in the European Union.
- The company says the move complies with DMA rules without opening iPhone Wi‑Fi access to third‑party accessories.
- Apple argues that sharing Wi‑Fi connection history poses privacy and security risks by allowing location inference and targeted advertising by other device makers.
- Executives say they examined alternatives but found none that met Apple’s privacy standards, characterizing the step as protective rather than punitive.
- The change is planned to coincide with the EU’s end‑of‑year DMA compliance window, and Apple has not yet detailed how Watch connectivity will work when the paired iPhone is out of range.