In a bid to align with the stipulations of the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple is set to eliminate the Wi-Fi network auto-sync functionality from the stable release of iOS 26.2, which is scheduled to roll out next month. This particular feature enables Apple Watches, when logged in with the same Apple ID, to seamlessly connect to the Wi-Fi network that the paired iPhone is already utilizing.

This decision is part of Apple's broader strategic engagement with the European Commission. The EU has mandated that Apple grant third-party accessories access to the iPhone's Wi-Fi capabilities. Apple, however, contends that such a move could potentially compromise user privacy.

Following the removal of this feature, Apple Watch users in Europe will find themselves unable to automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks once their devices are beyond the range of Bluetooth connectivity. Despite this, the update will introduce the AirPods 'Real-Time Translation' feature, which had been previously postponed pending DMA compliance evaluations.