Apple to enhance third-party smartwatch pairing in EU
Apple is developing two major upgrades to its iPhones to simplify pairing and syncing with third-party smartwatches including Huawei and Garmin models. These changes stem from the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which mandates greater system openness, and are initially available in Europe through improved background connectivity.
Owners of certain Garmin smartwatches have reported that their devices now connect directly to Apple iPhones without requiring the Garmin Connect app to remain active. This allows continuous data exchange between the wearable and the iPhone. Similarly, some Huawei users have observed that their smartwatches sync data in the background on iPhones, eliminating the previous necessity to manually open the dedicated watch app each time. These adjustments enable seamless tracking of health and fitness metrics without interruptions or data loss during the process.
The background-syncing capability is operational in Europe at present. The Digital Markets Act has updated its regulations, compelling companies such as Apple to permit broader access to their platforms by additional brands. As a result, Apple must enhance iOS functionality specifically for connections with third-party devices like Huawei and Garmin smartwatches. This involves refining how these wearables link to iPhones and transfer data in real time, even when the associated companion app is not running in the foreground or background.
Previously, seamless integration was limited to the Apple Watch when pairing with iPhones. Current regulatory requirements in the European Union are altering this dynamic for regional users. Huawei and Garmin watches now receive direct connectivity privileges to iPhones under these provisions, supporting uninterrupted data tracking.
The European Commission has stated that compatibility for third-party smartwatches will advance further with the forthcoming iOS 26.3 update. Apple plans to implement a Notification Forwarding feature, which will permit notifications and prompts to display directly on connected accessories such as watches or smart bands. The complete range of modifications in the iOS 26.3 update has not been disclosed.
These developments address pairing challenges encountered by Huawei smartwatch owners using iPhones. The upgrades extend iPhone interoperability beyond Apple’s ecosystem to include select third-party wearables, aligning with mandated accessibility standards in the region.