Apple opens AirPods pairing to Meta – only in the EU

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Meta's Ray-Ban glasses and Quest headsets will soon connect to Apple devices just as easily as AirPods: pair once, and they'll be available everywhere. Apple has confirmed this in its public interoperability documentation. The catch lies in geography – and in Meta's own response.

Anyone who owns AirPods or an Apple Watch knows the convenience: once paired with an iPhone, the accessory automatically appears on iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. This has never been the case for devices from other manufacturers – anyone using third-party hardware in addition to an iPhone has to connect each device individually. This barrier has been crumbling for some time now: with iOS 26.5, Apple already opened up AirPods functionality for third-party wearables in the EU. The next step now involves none other than its biggest competitor in the eyewear market.

What the new interface should be able to do

Apple is developing an interface that will allow third-party accessories to use the same cross-device pairing as Apple's own hardware. Specifically, apps will gain access to the cryptographic material that validates a pairing established on one Apple device across the user's other devices.

This is secured via a session key and a one-time user consent request, which is obtained for each accessory. After that, a pair of Ray-Ban glasses from Meta behaves in the Apple ecosystem essentially like a pair of AirPods.

Technically, Apple relies on AccessorySetupKit and Proximity Pairing – the infrastructure the company specifically built to comply with a decision by the EU Commission from March 2025. It is also the basis for iOS opening the system to accessories in the EU.

Meta forced the opening – and is now hesitating itself

The process stems from a request Meta filed in October 2025 under the Digital Markets Act. The request: A Meta device that has been paired once with an iPhone or iPad should be available on the user's other Apple devices without further prompting. On February 4, Apple announced its intention to comply with this request.

This would have given Meta what the company demanded – but now Meta is resisting the concrete implementation. To use Apple's infrastructure, Meta would have to forgo Core Bluetooth, the standard used for pairing everywhere outside of Europe. Meta has therefore asked Apple to decouple the two. Apple has so far refused.

The result is a curious situation: The corporation that fought for the opening would have to restructure its global technology for it – just to profit from it in a single market.

Spring 2027, and initially only in the EU

Apple expects to complete development in spring 2027 and release the feature shortly thereafter. The company has not specified a version number; the timeframe falls within the iOS 27 cycle.

The second limitation is crucial: the underlying infrastructure currently only works within the EU because it was developed as a DMA response. Apple has not yet indicated whether the connection will be available outside of Europe – the company told Meta that it is still evaluating the possibility. This is not a commitment.

Formally, the application is currently in phase three. Meta has not yet initiated the DMA's formal dispute resolution process; this would trigger a review by Apple's internal review board within 30 business days.

For once, the EU is on the winning side

For German and Austrian users, this case reverses the usual narrative. The Device Management (DMA) typically signifies that Apple features are missing in the EU – from Siri AI to detailed functions that Apple withholds due to regulations. Here, it's exactly the opposite: the convenient pairing of third-party accessories is available first, and possibly exclusively, in the EU, while the rest of the world remains dependent on Apple's goodwill.

Switzerland, however, falls on the other side. As a non-EU country, it is not covered by the DMA – and therefore not by the features that arise from it. Swiss users would only get the new integration if Apple voluntarily rolls it out worldwide.

The glasses race is taking place in the background

The timeline is remarkable. Apple's own smart glasses are currently slated for release at the end of 2027 – months after the new pairing device would be available. Apple is thus paving the easiest way for its direct competitor to enter its ecosystem before its own product is even on store shelves. This is unlikely to be welcomed in Cupertino, but the DMA leaves little choice.

It's noteworthy that the interests here are at odds: Apple has to open up but doesn't want to, while Meta fought for and won open up but doesn't want to use it in the same way. Both sides have plenty of time to reach an agreement until spring 2027. (Image: Shutterstock / JLStock)