Apple will need to allow third-party accessory compatibility with iPadOS to comply with the DMA

The European Commission has shared the obligations of Apple regarding iPadOS, which must allow third-party accessory devices to be fully compatible with the iPad operating system in order to comply with the Digital Markets Law (DMA) in addition to making it easier to choose your default web browser.

With the entry into force of the DMA In March of this year, several Apple services are in the spotlight, such as its App Store, its Safari browser, and its iOS operating system.

As a result, the technological implemented various changes on iPhone with the version of its operating system iOS 17.4, with which it began to allow downloading ‘apps’ through third-party storesas well as the use of other alternative payment methods to that of the App Store, and the option set the desired default browserinstead of imposing Safari.

The European Commission has also focused on the iPad operating systemiPadOS, and has pointed out that must comply “with all relevant obligations” under the DMAin relation to the web browser, application stores and compatibility with third-party accessory devices.

Specifically, it has detailed that Apple has to guarantee that users can configure a default web browser of their choice, as well as use alternative application stores to the App Store, measures that ya of sido implemented con iPadOS 18.

However, the Commission has also specified, in a statement on its website, that Apple should allow third-party accessory devicesas is the case with headphones or smart pens, can “effectively” access iPadOS features.

That is, the Community Executive will force the technology company to, for example, allow the use of smart pens from other manufacturersapart from the Apple Pencil, with the same functions offered by the operating system for official accessories from Apple.

These guidelines are part of an investigation that the European Commission recently carried out on iPadOS, in which it concluded, in April of this year, that it also has market gatekeeper characteristics and, therefore, added to the list of core platform services for which Apple is designated as a gatekeeper.

For its part, Apple published a compliance report last Friday detailing the steps you have taken to make iPadOS compliant with the DMA. Specifically, it explains that with the launch of iPadOS 18, users can now choose which browser to use by default, as well as use third-party application stores, among other issues.

In addition, Apple has also reiterated that the DMA requires changes to operating systems that involve “increased risks for users and developers“These changes also compromise Apple’s ability to detect, prevent and take action against malicious applications on iOS and iPadOS,” the technology company stated.

Following the publication of this report, the Commission has detailed that will evaluate “carefully” whether the measures adopted for iPadOS “are effective” to comply with DMA obligations. Likewise, it has warned that, in the event that Apple’s solutions do not meet the objectives of the regulations, will take “formal enforcement measures.”