Apple has been told by the EU that it needs to open up its operating systems on its mobile devices to allow for better interoperability with other technology companies.

This marks the first time the EU has issued an order to a company for infringing regulations set out in the Digital Markets Act.

In the ruling, the EU Commission said that Apple will have to take a number of measures to allow smartwatches and other devices to access Apple’s iOS operating system, which is currently solely available on Apple devices.

Apple will also have to take measures to improve transparency and effectiveness in the ways software developers gain access to features available on the iPhone.

The EU claimed that the ruling has issued “regulatory certainty” to both the company and developers.

The “effective interoperability” the ruling aims to ensure will mean a “better choice for consumers in the fast-growing market for innovative connected devices,” European Commission executive vice president Teresa Ribera, said.

Apple, however, has pushed back on the decision, saying that it will slow down innovation.

Recommended reading

• EU Probes Apple, Google, and Meta Over DMA Compliance
• European Commission Accuses Apple of Breaching Digital Markets Act
• Apple Slammed With £1.5bn EU Fine in Spotify App Store Feud

“Today’s decisions wrap us in red tape, slowing down Apple’s ability to innovate for users in Europe and forcing us to give away our new features for free to companies who don’t have to play by the same rules,” Apple said in a statement.

Apple did say it would continue to work with the EU commission to come to an understanding on the EU’s concerns.

The EU Commission also said that Google was not making enough changes to comply with the DMA, including still giving preference to its own services in search results, and prohibiting app developers from directing users to cheaper options outside Google’s own Play Store.

Google called the EU’s findings and recommendations “quite simply, misguided.”