Apple to add iPhone‑Windows clipboard sharing under EU Digital Markets Act
Apple announced that it is developing a cross‑device clipboard sharing feature that will let users copy text or other supported content on an iPhone and paste it on a Windows PC, and vice‑versa. The work was triggered by a formal interoperability request from Microsoft filed in March 2026 under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act. Apple said the project is a “significant engineering effort” and that it will use the AccessorySetupKit framework, requiring a one‑time user permission for each paired Windows device. The feature will operate in the background, allowing continuous synchronization without the need for a foreground app.
Apple plans to release a developer beta in autumn 2027, with a public rollout expected in early 2028. The rollout will initially be limited to users in the European Union and the functionality will be included in the iOS 28 release cycle. Apple’s response was issued on 26 June 2026, outlining the technical approach and timeline.
Entities: AccessorySetupKit · Apple Inc. · Digital Markets Act · European Union · Microsoft · Microsoft Corp. · Windows PC · iOS 28 · iPhone
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 19 SOURCES] Apple describes the project as a significant engineering effort. (Apple’s June 26 2026 response.)
- [● 16 SOURCES] The rollout will initially be limited to the European Union under the Digital Markets Act. (multiple articles)
- [● 16 SOURCES] Apple responded on 26 June 2026 with a development plan for the clipboard feature. (multiple articles)
- [● 19 SOURCES] The feature will allow background clipboard syncing without requiring a foreground app. (Apple’s technical description.)
- [● 21 SOURCES] Microsoft submitted a formal interoperability request to Apple under the EU Digital Markets Act. (Microsoft filed the request in March 2026.)
- [● 21 SOURCES] Apple is developing a clipboard sharing feature between iPhone and Windows PCs. (Apple announced the development in response to a Microsoft request.)
- [● 19 SOURCES] The feature will use AccessorySetupKit and require a one‑time user permission per paired device. (Apple’s technical design.)
- [● 19 SOURCES] Apple expects a developer beta in autumn 2027 and a public release in early 2028. (Apple’s development timeline.)
- [● 13 SOURCES] The rollout will initially be limited to the European Union. (Apple’s plan under the Digital Markets Act.)
- [● 13 SOURCES] The feature will be part of the iOS 28 release cycle. (Apple’s announced roadmap.)
- [● 14 SOURCES] The development was prompted by a Microsoft interoperability request filed under the EU Digital Markets Act in March 2026. (Microsoft)
- [● 13 SOURCES] Users will grant a one‑time permission per paired device using the AccessorySetupKit framework. (Apple)