March 24, 2025 – In a groundbreaking move that could redefine the trajectory of the smartwatch industry, particularly in the fitness segment, the European Union finalized an interoperability ruling on March 19th, compelling Apple to open up its exclusive features to third-party smartwatches, as reported yesterday by tech outlet Windows Central.
According to the report, under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple is mandated to provide “meaningful interoperability,” enabling third-party devices to receive, access, and utilize iOS notifications, as well as manage notification displays. This signifies that third-party watches will gain “background execution” privileges without needing foreground apps as intermediaries, along with faster data transfers akin to AirPlay and access to settings such as “Do Not Disturb” and priority notifications.
Apple has voiced strong opposition to the ruling, arguing that it is being forced to “offer new features for free” and has pledged to continue discussions with the European Commission. However, if Apple complies with the DMA, significant shifts are anticipated in the landscape of fitness smartwatches.
Garmin, one of the few fitness brands that has ventured into “smart” mainstream watches with offerings like the Venu 3 and Fenix 8, which support smart assistants, Garmin Pay, and third-party apps like Spotify, still finds its smart functionalities constrained by iOS’s closed ecosystem, hindering advanced messaging and voice command capabilities.
While the DMA holds the potential for positive transformations, its implementation faces numerous hurdles. Apple may resist the ruling for an extended period, and smartwatch brands will need to upgrade their hardware and software to support the new functionalities.
