Apple is developing a feature to allow seamless copy-paste of text and images directly between iPhones and Windows PCs, mirroring the universal clipboard experience it already offers across its own devices. The move follows a request from Microsoft, made in March under the EU's Digital Markets Act interoperability system, which pushed Apple to open up clipboard access for third-party apps connecting to iPhones.

In a response dated 26 June, Apple confirmed it would build this using its AccessorySetupKit framework, which already lets third-party smartwatches receive iPhone notifications; users would need to grant clipboard-sharing consent just once per paired accessory rather than repeatedly. Apple has described the work as a "significant engineering effort" and hopes to complete development by autumn 2027 ahead of beta testing, with a wide release planned for the EU first — leaving it unclear whether the feature will roll out elsewhere.