Apple’s next iOS update could bring a small but notable change for users in the European Union. With iOS 26.2, Apple may disable Wi-Fi network syncing between the iPhone and Apple Watch. The company says the move is part of its ongoing effort to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which has already influenced other iOS and watchOS features this year.
The change means your Apple Watch may no longer automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks known to your iPhone. Normally, this helps the Watch stay connected when your iPhone is out of range.
Apple told French publication Numerama that it decided to disable this feature rather than open Wi-Fi access to third-party accessories, which the EU requires by the end of 2025.
Apple explained that the European Commission has asked it to share Wi-Fi connection history with other device makers. The company sees this as a privacy risk. It warned that such access could let competitors, like makers of smart glasses, track where you’ve been and use that data for advertising.
Apple’s Approach to DMA Compliance
Apple said it considered different ways to meet the EU’s request but found none that met its privacy standards. The company chose to turn off the Wi-Fi syncing feature on Apple Watch to comply with the rule fairly, since Europe requires equal treatment for third-party products.
While Apple describes the change as necessary, it raises questions about how users in Europe will experience connectivity after iOS 26.2 arrives. Early details suggest the Watch may still connect to Wi-Fi when near the paired iPhone, but could lose independent connectivity when the iPhone isn’t nearby.
Apple has not yet clarified the exact behavior or timeline beyond confirming that the change aligns with its upcoming iOS 26.2 release.
