# Apple iPhone-Windows clipboard sharing EU

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/apple-iphone-windows-clipboard-sharing-eu
> Updated: 2026-08-04T16:22:48.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 2.

Apple is developing a cross‑platform clipboard feature that lets users copy text, links or images on an iPhone and paste them directly into a Windows PC, and vice‑versa. The effort began after Microsoft submitted an interoperability request through Apple’s EU Interoperability Request system, citing the European Union’s Digital Markets Act; the request was filed in March 2026. Apple responded in June 2026, describing the work as a significant engineering project that will use the AccessorySetupKit framework and require a one‑time permission for each paired device. Apple publicly announced the feature on 4 August 2026, confirming that it will run in the background, be delivered via a new iOS 26.5 extension, and be targeted for a developer beta in autumn 2027 with a public rollout in early 2028, initially limited to the EU and tied to the iOS 28 release cycle. No timeline has been set for availability outside the EU, with a broader rollout planned thereafter and a stable release anticipated in early 2028.

## Claims

- Apple is developing a clipboard sharing feature between iPhone and Windows PCs. (corroborated by 21 sources)
- Microsoft submitted a formal interoperability request to Apple under the EU Digital Markets Act. (corroborated by 21 sources)
- The feature will use AccessorySetupKit and require a one‑time user permission per paired device. (corroborated by 19 sources)
- Apple expects a developer beta in autumn 2027 and a public release in early 2028. (corroborated by 19 sources)
- Apple describes the project as a significant engineering effort. (corroborated by 19 sources)
- The feature will allow background clipboard syncing without requiring a foreground app. (corroborated by 19 sources)
- The rollout will initially be limited to the European Union under the Digital Markets Act. (corroborated by 16 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Apple to add iPhone‑Windows clipboard sharing under EU Digital Markets Act

Apple is building an iPhone‑Windows clipboard sharing feature after a Microsoft request under the EU Digital Markets Act, targeting a 2027 beta and 2028 EU launch.

28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-develops-iphonewindows-clipboard-sharing-under-eu-rules

### 2026-08-02: Apple to enable iPhone‑Windows copy‑paste feature in EU

Apple is building an iPhone‑Windows clipboard sharing feature to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act, with a beta slated for fall 2027 and rollout in 2028, initially limited to the EU.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-to-introduce-iphonewindows-clipboard-sharing-under-eu-rules

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Cite as: Apple iPhone-Windows clipboard sharing EU. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/apple-iphone-windows-clipboard-sharing-eu