iOS 26.5 updates unlocks Apple Watch and AirPod features for third-party alternatives but only if you live in the EU

Date:
Thu, 14 May 2026 14:50:23 +0000

Description:
Apple is finally bringing Apple Watch and AirPod features to third-party wearables.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter iOS 26.5 is rolling out to our iPhones It includes new third-party wearables support for previously
exclusive Apple Watch and AirPods features This is only available in the EU for now Apple s latest iOS 26.5 update is bringing some AirPods and Apple Watch-exclusive features to third-party earbuds and wearables but only for phones in the EU.

This is being done so Apple can better comply with the EUs Digital Markets Act, which means Apple has to relinquish some of the software benefits that were exclusive to its own hardware and bring it to third-party smartwatches like those made by Garmin , Amazfit and Huawei, and third-party earbuds and headphones. For smartwatch users the biggest update will be the ability to respond to message notifications with reactions or replies. Currently you can only see iOS notifications on third-party tech, whereas Apple Watch users can send a response through the notification pop-up. With this iOS 26.5 update that should start to change, providing other smartwatch makers update their hardware to support the new capabilities. Latest Videos From You may like iOS 26.4 is here these are 5 best upgrades for your iPhone iOS 26.4 will bring these 5 upgrades to your iPhone, but not the new Siri Apple Wallet may allow custom pass creation in iOS 27

Just note that your phone can only forward notifications to one device at a time, so if you for some reason have an Apple Watch and an alternative smartwatch, youll need to choose which youd rather support.

Back to iOS 26.5, youll get a second notification change too with third-party support for your iPhones Live Activities the real time notifications that
sit on your iPhone lock screen or in the Dynamic Island like a sports score
or the distance of your Uber driver. These live updates can also appear in
the Smart Stack on your Apple Watch, and now they could show up on your other smart wearable again, if the manufacturer adds support. (Image credit: TechRadar) More to come? Not forgetting about the earbuds update, iOS 26.5 also adds proximity pairing support for non-Apple buds.

This is the feature that makes it a one tap process to pair AirPods with your iPhone when you start to set them up nearby. Thanks to the update,
third-party earbuds can start to support this simplified setup process. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

While none of these new tools feel revolutionary, they strip away more of the friction that comes from choosing a third-party option over Apples-own tech, making it a fairer choice between the tech options out there so this update should be taken as a serious win if you live in the EU.

As for folks who live outside the EU, dont hold your breath for a similar update. While EU regulation has seen Apple make global changes such as the implementation of USB-C charging digital rules are much easier to geolock. Weve seen this previously with App Store regulations, and I expect Apple wont want to tear its walled garden down any more than it is legally required to.

Whats more, Apple has argued the EUs Digital markets Act should be scrapped, and warned that there are risks to users if it is forced to change how its products interact with each other and third parties.

For now well just have to look longingly at the EU-exclusive update, and hope that our own governments introduce similar rules of their own despite Apples protests. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/ios/ios-26-5-updates-unlocks-apple-watch-and- airpod-features-for-third-party-alternatives-but-only-if-you-live-in-the-eu


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