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Since March 2024, the US Department of Justice has been suing Apple for alleged smartphone monopoly, and negotiations for a settlement have been ongoing behind the scenes for months. Now, developers, who stand to benefit from a settlement, are speaking out. They fear that the outcome will be minimal. In the EU, some of the issues being debated in the US are already mandatory.
Apple and the US Department of Justice (DOJ) are negotiating a settlement in their antitrust lawsuit, causing concern among app developers. This is according to The Information, citing sources familiar with the talks. The report does not specify the details of the settlement, but the publication is known for its strong connections regarding Apple-related matters.
The lawsuit itself has been pending in a federal court in New Jersey since March 2024. In June 2025, the court rejected Apple's motion to dismiss, thus keeping the US antitrust case in place. Since then, the two sides have primarily been arguing over evidence, most recently over documents from federal agencies.
Key Facts at a Glance
- According to The Information, the DOJ is focusing primarily on how well the iPhone works with devices from other manufacturers in the settlement discussions.
- Developers and antitrust lawyers fear the regulations are too lenient; PayPal and Epic Games are said to have raised their concerns with the DOJ.
- Bloomberg had already reported on Apple's settlement offers in July.
- Since iOS 26.5, Apple has been required in the EU to open up several features for third-party accessories, including notifications for smartwatches.
What the report says about the talks
The DOJ has reportedly asked developers for a list of improvements that could be included in a settlement. The focus, according to the report, is on interoperability, meaning the iPhone's ability to work with devices and services from other providers. Developers and antitrust lawyers fear that the department will only demand relatively weak concessions from Apple.
Among the companies that reportedly raised concerns were PayPal and Epic Games. Both declined to comment. A DOJ spokesperson offered no further details, stating only that the department would continue to prioritize affordability for all Americans.
Some parties involved had expected a faster agreement. According to the report, one reason for the delay is that the Senate has not yet confirmed Adam Candeub, the candidate to head the antitrust division.
A procedure with a long history
The lawsuit addresses five areas: super apps, cloud-based game streaming, third-party messaging apps, third-party smartwatches, and digital wallets without NFC chip access. Apple has rejected all allegations and has since addressed several issues, such as implementing RCS in the Messages app and providing broader NFC chip access.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2024 | DOJ files lawsuit in federal court in New Jersey |
| June 2025 | Court rejects Apple's motion to dismiss |
| July 17, 2026 | Bloomberg reports on several settlement offers from Apple |
| September 10, 2026 | Court temporarily suspends obligation to release documents from 14 federal agencies |
| October 16, 2026 | Report on developers' concerns about a settlement |
The dispute over the government documents shows that the proceedings continue despite the talks. Apple initially obtained access, but the DOJ sought to overturn Apple's access to government documents and secured a temporary stay in September, pending a decision by the presiding federal judge on the appeal.
Already mandatory in the EU
One of the five points of contention concerns smartwatches from other manufacturers, and this is precisely where the EU is further ahead. On March 19, 2025, the EU Commission stipulated through the Digital Markets Act that Apple must open nine iOS connectivity features to accessories from other brands, ranging from notifications on smartwatches to headphone pairing.
Since iOS 26.5, smartwatches from other manufacturers in the EU can receive interactive notifications and live activity from the iPhone, and headphones can be paired by proximity. Whether the manufacturers use this feature is up to them; Apple only provides the interfaces.
A comparison in the USA changes little here
I find the developers' concerns understandable. A settlement replaces a court ruling, and its contents are negotiated between Apple and the DOJ, rather than determined by a court. The developers, whose access is at stake, are not involved in the process. For readers in German-speaking countries, however, a settlement in the US has hardly any direct consequences. Regarding smartwatches and headphones from other manufacturers, iPhone users in the EU are already further along than those in the US thanks to the DMA.
Things will get interesting when a comparison includes points that the DMA doesn't cover. I expect Apple to initially limit such concessions to the US, just as the EU features have so far been limited to the EU.
Do you believe a settlement in the US would noticeably open up Apple's platform, or will the DMA remain the more effective lever? Let us know in the comments which lever you consider stronger.
