Apple May Remove AirDrop From Its Products in Europe: Here's Why

With AirDrop, you can transfer a file from your phone to your computer, or from one tablet to another with just a tap. As long as they're Apple. But now, growing tension between Apple and the European Union over the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) threatens to eliminate AirDrop from iPhones destined for the European market. Officials and analysts agree that Apple would rather eliminate AirDrop entirely than make it interoperable with non-Apple devices, a position that reflects the company's strategy of maintaining total control over hardware-software integration.

The regulatory context

The Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into force in 2023, is the central pillar of the European digital strategy to promote competition in digital markets. The regulation classifies large technology platforms as “gatekeepers,” imposing specific obligations on them to ensure the interoperability of services and prevent anti-competitive practices. Apple falls into this category due to the dominance of its iOS ecosystem, which the European Commission says creates barriers to entry for competitors.

For the European authorities, AirDrop is a paradigmatic example of a feature designed to strengthen the lock-in of the Apple ecosystem. The technology, which uses a combination of Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi Direct for file transfer, is implemented in a way that works exclusively between Apple devices. In the Commission's view, this exclusivity represents an abuse of a dominant position that limits consumer choice and hampers innovation.

Apple's position

“At Apple, we design our technology to work seamlessly together, to deliver the unique experiences our users love and expect from our products. The EU’s interoperability requirements threaten this fundamental principle, introducing a process that is unreasonable, costly and stifles innovation,” the company said.

In response to the European Commission's ultimatum, Apple has filed a formal appeal with the General Court of the European Union. The company disputes the applicability of the DMA to core features of the operating system, arguing that AirDrop is an integral part of the iOS user experience and not a separate service. In parallel, Apple is evaluating alternative technical options, including the possibility of offering a watered-down version of iOS for the European market, a solution that would avoid regulatory conflicts but would fragment the ecosystem.

Impact on users

In fact, opening AirDrop to non-Apple devices would require a complete redesign of the communications protocol. Currently, the system relies on three main components: automatic identification via the Secure Enclave chip, encryption based on hardware certificates, and integration with the iCloud identity management service. According to internal technical documents, implementing open standards like Android's Nearby Share would remove these security elements, exposing users to potential vulnerabilities.

If Apple decides to completely remove AirDrop from the EU, European users will lose access to features such as high-speed file transfers (up to 10 Gbps), contextual sharing built into the operating system, and proximity functionality for Wi-Fi Password Sharing. Existing third-party alternatives, including Snapdrop or ShareDrop, require installing separate apps and do not offer the same level of integration, forcing users to rely on less efficient and potentially less secure solutions.

The precedents

Apple has already adopted similar strategies with other technologies challenged by the EU. In 2024, the company banned iPhone Mirroring from European devices to avoid interoperability with Android, while Apple Intelligence was limited to beta without public API integration. Automatic AirPods pairing was also changed to require manual confirmation on non-Apple devices.

Leaked internal documents indicate that Apple is considering three options for AirDrop in the EU. Maintaining the status quo would risk fines of up to 20% of global revenue, while implementing interoperable support would require significant investment in research and development. The third option, a complete removal, would result in an estimated 3% loss of EU market share, which is considered economically sustainable given the high profit margins on related accessories. Sources close to management suggest that this last strategy is currently the most likely.

What happens now

The EU court is expected to issue a preliminary ruling by the first quarter of 2026. Apple has until June 2026 to implement technical changes and until September 2026 to file a final appeal. Industry sources speculate that the company is already developing an alternative version of AirDrop based on open standards, but without deep integration with iOS, a solution that could partially satisfy EU demands without compromising the core ecosystem.

The removal of AirDrop could reduce the attractiveness of iPhones for business users, accelerate the adoption of cross-platform alternatives, and incentivize carriers to develop solutions. However, market research indicates that only 18% of EU users consider AirDrop a deciding feature for purchase, suggesting a limited impact on overall sales. On the other hand, the regional differentiation of the Apple ecosystem could create complexity in managing software updates and device compatibility.

Who loses?

The AirDrop dispute highlights the fundamental conflict between vertically integrated business models and pro-competition regulation. While the EU pursues the goal of open digital markets, Apple defends the right to controlled innovation. Technically, a compromise is possible, by opening up core functionality to third parties using selective APIs, using shared security standards for certified devices, implementing a two-tier model that maintains the full version for Apple devices and a basic variant for interoperability.

However, Apple’s stance indicates a preference for radical solutions rather than incremental ones. The final decision will have implications not only for AirDrop, but for the entire philosophy of vertical integration that has characterized the Cupertino company in recent decades. Depriving European users of already consolidated functions risks damaging the brand image and reinforcing accusations of arrogance and insularity. On the other hand, the EU may have some difficulty explaining to millions of consumers what they really gain by losing AirDrop.