Apple Plans AirPods-Like Pairing for Meta's Glasses and Quest - MacRumors
Skip to Content
Apple Plans AirPods-Like Pairing for Meta's Glasses and Quest
Monday July 13, 2026 6:45 am PDT by Hartley Charlton<br>Apple is developing a new API that will let third-party accessories, including Meta's Ray-Ban ‌Meta‌ glasses and Quest headsets, automatically pair across a user's Apple devices the same way AirPods and the Apple Watch do today, according to Apple's EU Interoperability Request page.
The plan responds to a request ‌Meta‌ filed in October 2025 under the EU's Digital Markets Act, asking Apple to let a ‌Meta‌ device, once paired with one iPhone or iPad, automatically become available on a user's other Apple devices without extra prompts. Third-party accessories have never been able to tap into that ability, meaning owning non-Apple hardware alongside an iPhone has always involved more friction. If Apple builds this out, that gap will close, at least for whichever manufacturers get access to the new API.
Apple told ‌Meta‌ on February 4 that it plans to let third-party apps access cryptographic materials that make a pairing completed on one Apple device usable on another, secured by a session key and a one-time, per-accessory user consent. Apple expects to finish development by spring 2027 and ship it "shortly thereafter," which points toward an iOS 27.x update, possibly iOS 27.4, though Apple has not yet confirmed a version.
The feature runs on AccessorySetupKit and Proximity Pairing, infrastructure Apple built to comply with a March 2025 European Commission ruling and which only works in the EU today, the same infrastructure behind the proximity pairing feature already live for EU users. ‌Meta‌ has objected that adopting it would force the company to abandon Core Bluetooth, which it relies on for pairing everywhere outside Europe, and has asked Apple to decouple the two. Apple has declined so far, though it told ‌Meta‌ that support outside the EU "is something we are still considering."
The request remains in phase three as of Apple's most recent update. ‌Meta‌ hasn't yet invoked the DMA's formal dispute resolution process, which would trigger a review by Apple's Interoperability Request Review Board within 30 working days. Until then, Apple's plan proceeds with a spring 2027 rollout tied to AccessorySetupKit, in the EU only.
Related Roundup: AirPods 4<br>Tags: European Union, Meta Guide<br>Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution)<br>Related Forum: AirPods
[ 20 comments ]
Get weekly top MacRumors stories in your inbox.<br>Leave this field empty<br>Popular Stories
Apple Faces First Italian DMA Probe on iCloud Interoperability<br>Tuesday June 16, 2026 4:29 am PDT by Tim Hardwick<br>Italy's competition regulator said on Tuesday it had launched an investigation into Apple over its compliance with interoperability obligations as set out in the European Digital Markets Act (DMA). Under the DMA, Apple must ensure that third-party providers of consumer cloud services can interoperate effectively and free of charge with Apple's iOS and iPadOS software platforms. The rules...<br>Read Full Article • 147 comments
Tim Cook Holds 'Constructive' Talks With EU Over Siri AI Launch<br>Wednesday July 1, 2026 4:49 am PDT by Tim Hardwick<br>Apple CEO Tim Cook held "constructive" talks with EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen on Tuesday about releasing Siri AI in the bloc while complying with the bloc's digital rules, reports the Financial Times ($). An EU spokesperson told the publication the virtual meeting had involved a "constructive exchange on topics of common interest, on which the work continues." Siri AI will be available...<br>Read Full Article • 111 comments
Apple Loses EU Fight Over App Store Gatekeeper Label<br>Wednesday July 8, 2026 1:54 am PDT by Tim Hardwick<br>Apple's challenge against the EU's designation of its App Stores and iOS platform as "gatekeepers" was dismissed by Europe's top court on Wednesday, reports Reuters. "The General Court dismisses Apple's actions regarding its designation as a gatekeeper in relation to the App Store and iOS," the Luxembourg-based tribunal said.Apple took its case to Luxembourg's General Court in 2024 after the...<br>Read Full Article • 147 comments
Top Rated Comments
Shalev Lazarof<br>7 hours ago at 06:49 am
Who wants Meta crappy products? ONLY first party apple ecosystem related devices.<br>Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jdavid_rp<br>7 hours ago at 07:04 am
Cool that now this is open to other companies, not really interested in Meta tapping in tho 😂<br>Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
akb<br>7 hours ago at 06:50 am
I’ve no interest in Meta devices - but opening this up to third parties in general is most welcome.<br>Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BGrifter<br>7 hours ago at 06:56 am
Legal system also plans AirPods-like pairing for Meta perv glasses.
Saves paperwork if you just connect the owner to his public defender.<br>Score: 5 Votes (Like...