The ongoing conflict between Apple and the EU Commission is already having concrete consequences: users in Germany and other EU member countries are currently being deprived of two major innovations in iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS 15 Sequoia – not to mention Apple Intelligence.
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iPhone Mirroring and Remote Access Blocked
One of the functions blocked in this country is the so-called iPhone synchronization (“iPhone mirroring”): your own iPhone can be mirrored to the Mac and controlled from there. In addition, macOS also prompts for newly arrived iPhone messages, which you can easily open in the corresponding app on your virtual iPhone without picking up the phone itself.
If you open the new Mac app, only an error message appears.
Anyone who currently tries the corresponding Mac app only sees a brief warning dialog (“iPhone synchronization is not available in your country or region”). Spicy: Apple prominently advertises the blocked function in the German App Store, among other things, in the context of the new features of iOS 18. It says, “Mirror all content on your Mac” – this means that you can “take full advantage of the potential of your devices”. The fine print states that “some features may not be available in all regions or languages.”
In addition to “iPhone Mirroring”, the new remote access or remote maintenance function that is part of iOS and iPadOS 18 is also missing: for the first time, it is possible to remotely access another iPhone or iPad and, above all, control it. Old hat for desktop operating systems, but an absolute novelty for Apple’s mobile operating system.
Apple cites new EU rules
It was predictable that both functions were missing: the manufacturer explained in June that they – like Apple Intelligence – did not want to bring them to the EU for the time being due to “regulatory uncertainties” caused by the Digital Market Act (DMA). Apparently nothing has changed since June. Apple only mentioned the far-reaching interoperability requirements of the new EU rules. The macOS function is also indirectly affected, although the desktop operating system, unlike iOS and iPadOS, does not fall under the new DMA rules.
As is currently in the beta of Apple Intelligence, the geo-lock is linked to the App Store account: To unlock the functions, an Apple ID or an Apple account for “Media and purchases” must be set up on the device, as well as its billing address assigned to a non-EU country – for example a US account. Such an account change is possible, but has side effects: for example, users can no longer access subscription services booked with a German account, such as Apple Music.
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