APPLE SCALES BACK IOS 26 FEATURES IN EUROPE

Apple has confirmed that iOS 26, its next major iPhone software update, will launch in the European Union with some features disabled due to compliance issues with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

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The company cited the “visited places” feature in Apple Maps, which tracks and stores a user's recent locations for personalized navigation, as one tool that won't be available at launch. Apple's legal team, led by Vice President Kyle Andeer, stated that the DMA’s rules create uncertainties, forcing the company to delay certain features to avoid privacy and security risks.

The DMA, designed to curb the power of tech giants, labels iOS, Safari, and the App Store as “core platform services,” requiring Apple to open its ecosystem to competitors.

This includes allowing third-party app stores, alternative payment systems, and non-WebKit browser engines. Apple argues these changes increase risks like malware, fraud, and data exposure, prompting the company to withhold features that could be compromised if shared with rivals. The decision follows a pattern, as EU users already miss out on iPhone Mirroring and SharePlay Screen Sharing due to similar concerns.

While “visited places” is the only feature explicitly named, Apple is still evaluating others, working to find ways to deliver them safely.

The company's cautious approach stems from fears that opening proprietary features to competitors, like Android or Windows, could weaken user trust. This move has sparked debate, with some seeing it as a stand for security and others as a tactic to resist EU regulations.

THE DMA'S IMPACT ON FEATURES