Apple's EU Users Face a Surprising Change: Wi-Fi Network Syncing on Apple Watch Disappears
Marko Zivkovic
Published: November 5, 2025
Apple Watch users in the European Union might soon face a surprising change. A recent report reveals that Apple plans to remove the ability to sync Wi-Fi networks from an iPhone to an Apple Watch in the EU. This feature, once a handy tool for Apple Watch users, is now set to be disabled with an upcoming iOS 26 update.
The decision comes as a response to the European Union's interoperability requirements, which Apple has historically objected to. These demands, outlined in December 2024, push Apple to open up its iPhone's Wi-Fi hardware to third-party companies by the end of 2025. Apple views this as a significant threat to user privacy, arguing that it would expose sensitive information to data-hungry companies.
In a statement to AppleInsider, an Apple spokesperson emphasized the privacy concerns, stating that the EU's requirements would "hand data-hungry companies sensitive information, which poses massive privacy and security risks to our EU users."
This isn't the first time Apple has had to comply with EU demands. The company previously made alternative app marketplaces available to EU users as part of the iOS 17.4 update. However, in this case, Apple chose a different path, deciding to disable the Wi-Fi network syncing feature rather than accepting the EU's request.
The impact of this change on Apple Watch usability remains to be seen. While it may require users to manually connect to Wi-Fi networks when their iPhone is out of range, it's unlikely to significantly disrupt the overall user experience.
This development highlights the ongoing tension between Apple's commitment to user privacy and the EU's interoperability regulations. As the story unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Apple and the EU navigate this complex issue in the coming months.
