Apple Enables Proximity Pairing and Interactive Notifications for Third-Party Wearables in iOS 26.5

Summary

Apple has released iOS 26.5 with new interoperability features for third-party wearables in the European Union, complying with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The update introduces proximity pairing for non-Apple earbuds—enabling one-tap connections similar to AirPods—and allows third-party smartwatches to receive and interact with iPhone notifications, a capability previously exclusive to Apple Watch. Additionally, third-party wearables can now display Live Activities from iPhone, providing feature parity with Apple's ecosystem.

These changes represent a significant shift in Apple's traditionally closed ecosystem, following months of testing across iOS beta versions beginning with iOS 26.3. Accessory manufacturers will need to implement support for these features, with availability depending on individual product updates and manufacturer adoption timelines. The features are currently limited to iPhone users in the European Union with Apple accounts set to an EU country or region.

Apple has implemented strict data protection measures to balance regulatory compliance with privacy. Forwarded notifications and Live Activities cannot be used for advertising, profiling, model training, or location monitoring. Additionally, notification data cannot be sent to unauthorized apps or devices, nor modified in ways that alter its meaning—constraints that underscore Apple's attempt to mitigate potential risks from expanded third-party access.

• Features are geographically limited to EU users with Apple accounts set to EU countries or regions
• Real-world availability depends on accessory manufacturers implementing support for the new interoperability standards