Apple Watch users in the European Union may soon lose the ability to sync Wi‑Fi networks from their iPhones, according to reports tied to Apple’s latest software updates.
With the release of the first iOS 26.2 developer beta, Apple confirmed that its new Live Translation feature would roll out to EU users. However, an accompanying policy shift could also remove a long‑standing Apple Watch capability for this region.
Specifically, future versions of iOS 26 will disable the automatic synchronization of Wi‑Fi networks between iPhones and Apple Watches for EU users. Apple reportedly told French outlet Numerama that it chose to “disable Wi‑Fi synchronization between iPhones and Apple Watches in Europe.”
According to Apple, the move is a direct response to upcoming European interoperability rules that would require the company to open iPhone Wi‑Fi hardware to third‑party access by the end of 2025. Those requirements, part of the EU’s broader digital regulatory framework introduced in December 2024, have been a source of ongoing tension between Apple and EU policymakers.
Apple argues that such demands risk undermining user privacy and security. The company said the proposed changes would expose sensitive data to outside developers and create “an unreasonable, costly process that stifles innovation.”
In a June 2025 statement to AppleInsider, an Apple spokesperson warned that compliance could “hand data‑hungry companies sensitive information, posing massive privacy and security risks to our EU users.” Apple noted that some companies had even requested access to detailed user histories, including notification content and stored Wi‑Fi networks—information that Apple itself does not view.
Although Apple has reluctantly adjusted certain policies to meet EU requirements—such as allowing alternative app marketplaces in iOS 17.4—the company has drawn a line with Wi‑Fi network syncing. Rather than redesigning system access for compliance, Apple opted to remove the feature altogether.
For practical use, this means Apple Watch owners in the EU will need to connect to Wi‑Fi networks manually when their iPhones are out of range. While this adjustment may cause minor inconvenience, it is unlikely to significantly affect the day‑to‑day experience of most Apple Watch users.
