Apple delays launch of Apple Intelligence & other features in EU due to DMA compliance

Apple has announced that several new features will not be available in the EU at launch due to regulatory issues related to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Several key features announced last week with the launch of iOS 18 are affected, including Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing, intended for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Apple cited the need to comply with EU competition rules as the main reason why millions of users in the EU will miss out on these new features.

Apple Intelligence, which encompasses various enhancements to Siri and other apps, aims to significantly improve user experience. iPhone Mirroring allows users to control their iPhone through a connected Mac, providing greater device integration. SharePlay Screen Sharing is designed to let users take control of another person’s screen during a SharePlay session, facilitating remote assistance. Additionally, some Apple Intelligence features like Genmoji, Image Playground, and Writing Tools will be unavailable to EU users despite their expected September launch. Siri-related Apple Intelligence capabilities are not expected to launch until 2025, affecting the rollout schedule for these enhancements.

The exact timeframe for making these features available in the EU remains uncertain as Apple works to align with DMA requirements. The European Commission is currently evaluating Apple's prior changes to app marketplaces to determine if they comply with the DMA, with specific concerns over the Core Technology Fee charged by Apple. Apple has indicated significant regulatory challenges with implementing these features, though some users speculate that the delay might be a strategy to pressure regulators.

The impacted countries include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.