Apple is bringing cross-device clipboard sharing between iPhone and Windows PCs to users in the European Union, allowing copying on one device and pasting on the other in either direction. The move is framed in one account as the result of Microsoft's interoperability request under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), while another emphasizes the EU's broader efforts to break closed ecosystems, noting Apple's existing Universal Clipboard.
Users in the EU will be able to wirelessly paste text or images copied on an iPhone to Windows PCs, and vice versa. The feature is scheduled to arrive in a fall 2027 release of iOS 28 for EU users.
Microsoft submitted an interoperability request (Request ID: FB22329535) for cross-device clipboard sharing access between iOS and Windows. The request was submitted on March 25, 2026, and approved by Apple on June 26, 2026.
Microsoft's request argued that consumers expect features like clipboard sharing between devices to 'just work.'
— Microsoft interoperability request
Currently, sharing a clipboard between iPhone and Windows requires third-party apps, the iOS app to be open in the foreground, and a permission request for each clipboard share. Microsoft's request suggested that a developed solution would allow copying from iPhone and pasting to Windows, or vice versa, without needing complicated apps or permission structures. Microsoft also shared that it expected the feature would maintain user control and privacy.
According to Apple's system, Microsoft's request was picked up on March 31 and moved up for further evaluation on April 27. The EU DMA demands that Apple allow developers to request interoperability. Apple has made the interoperability request process mostly transparent for anyone to view; some requests show as 'Confidential,' while others, like Microsoft's, show the developer's name.
18 months
The longest expected timeline Apple gives for building a possible interoperability feature and submitting it for release.
If Apple deems an interoperability request possible, building the feature and submitting it for release can take six to eighteen months. The clipboard-sharing feature appears to fall into the longest expected timeline of around 18 months.
Apple says in these submissions that the features will be built for the EU only, but there is always a chance they could be released globally. Emulation, for instance, was brought about by DMA complaints but was enabled worldwide.
Apple's proposed solution is similar to the Accessory Notifications and Accessory Live Activities frameworks introduced in iOS 26.5 for the EU. Developers will need to implement AccessorySetupKit to enable a one-time permission prompt for users to pair an accessory and share the clipboard.
Third-party developers can request interoperability features to be developed by Apple via a web portal. Apple has long offered its 'Universal Clipboard' feature for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Apple said: 'you can copy content such as text, images, photos and videos on one Apple device and paste it to another device.'
Updates
The upcoming feature will utilize AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures to enable continuous, background clipboard synchronization without requiring manual processes for each transfer. Once users grant permission for a paired Windows computer, the system will automatically sync new content, a development Apple describes as a significant engineering effort. While the core release is expected in 2027, the feature's general availability may extend to the beginning of 2028.
iOS 28'in beta testlerinin Haziran ayında başlayacağı belirtilirken, özelliğin AccessorySetupKit ve Accessory Transport Extension altyapılarını kullanarak sürekli arka plan senkronizasyonu sağlayacağı bildirildi. Kullanıcıların eşleşen her bilgisayar için yalnızca bir kez izin vermesi yeterli olacak ve sistem, manuel bir işlem gerektirmeden yeni panodaki içerikleri otomatik olarak Windows bilgisayarlara aktaracak. Genel erişimin ise 2027 sonu veya 2028 başında gerçekleşmesi bekleniyor.
The new clipboard-sharing feature will utilize AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures to enable continuous, background synchronization with paired Windows computers after a single permission grant. While the system aims for seamless transfers similar to Apple's Universal Clipboard, its general availability is now projected for late 2027 or early 2028, following beta testing.
The new feature will utilize AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures to enable continuous, background clipboard synchronization without requiring manual processes for each transfer. Once users grant permission for a paired computer, the system will automatically synchronize content, functioning similarly to Apple's Universal Clipboard. Additionally, the initial beta testing for iOS 28 is expected to begin in June.
iOS 28 beta testing for the point zero release is expected to begin in June, with the final feature potentially arriving in late 2027 or early 2028. The new system will utilize AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures to enable continuous, automatic background synchronization once a user grants permission to a paired Windows computer. This implementation aims to provide a seamless experience similar to Apple's Universal Clipboard by allowing constant data transfers without requiring manual app activation.
The new clipboard-sharing feature will utilize the AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures to enable continuous background synchronization without manual intervention. Users will only need to grant permission once per paired Windows computer to allow automatic content transfers. Additionally, the implementation is expected to be similar to the Accessory Notifications and Accessory Live Activities frameworks introduced in iOS 26.5 for the EU.
The new feature will utilize AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures to provide continuous background synchronization once users grant permission for paired computers. While initial reports pointed to a fall 2027 release, the feature may not be available in the initial iOS 28 'point zero' release and could reach general availability between late 2027 or early 2028. Additionally, the proposed solution is expected to function similarly to the Accessory Notifications and Accessory Live Activities frameworks introduced in iOS 26.5 for the EU.
Apple plans to implement the new clipboard-sharing infrastructure using AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension, which will allow for continuous background synchronization after a one-time permission is granted by the user. While the feature is expected in iOS 28, the general release may occur in late 2027 or early 2028, following a developer beta test. This technical solution is expected to be similar to the Accessory Notifications and Live Activities frameworks previously introduced in iOS 26.5 for the EU.
Apple's proposed solution will utilize the AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures to enable continuous background synchronization, allowing users to grant permission only once per paired computer. This system, which functions similarly to Apple's existing Universal Clipboard, is expected to undergo developer beta testing after development concludes in the fall of 2027, with potential general availability by late 2027 or early 2028.
The clipboard-sharing feature is expected to utilize the AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures, allowing for continuous, background synchronization once a one-time permission is granted for paired computers. While the technology will function similarly to Apple's Universal Clipboard, a new request from Microsoft has also been submitted to enable real-time synchronization of the iPhone's Photos library with Windows computers.
The clipboard-sharing feature is expected to utilize the AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures, which would enable users to grant permission just once for paired Windows computers to allow automatic, continuous synchronization. Additionally, Microsoft has submitted a new interoperability request for real-time synchronization of the iPhone's Photos library with Windows computers. Internal systems also indicate that Apple's review of the initial clipboard request was approved on June 26, 2026, and the implementation is currently in Phase 3.
Apple's proposed clipboard-sharing solution will utilize the AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures, allowing users to grant permission just once per paired computer for automatic background synchronization. While the feature is expected in iOS 28, Microsoft has already submitted a new interoperability request to enable real-time synchronization of the iPhone's Photos library with Windows computers.
Apple's proposed solution will utilize the AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures, allowing users to grant permission only once per paired computer for automatic, continuous background synchronization. Additionally, Microsoft has submitted a new interoperability request to synchronize iPhone Photos library changes with Windows computers in real time. The clipboard-sharing request was officially reviewed and approved on June 26, 2026, and is currently in Phase 3 of implementation.
Apple's proposed solution for the clipboard-sharing feature will utilize the AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures, allowing users to grant permission only once per paired computer for continuous, automatic synchronization. Additionally, Microsoft has submitted a new interoperability request to Apple to enable real-time synchronization of the iPhone's Photos library with Windows computers. Internal systems indicate that the current clipboard-sharing request was reviewed and approved on June 26, 2026, and is currently in Phase 3 of implementation.
The clipboard-sharing feature will utilize the AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures, allowing users to grant permission once per paired computer for automatic, continuous background synchronization. Additionally, Microsoft has submitted a new request to Apple to synchronize iPhone Photos library changes with Windows computers in real time. Apple's system indicates that the current clipboard interoperability request was reviewed and approved on June 26, 2026, and is currently in Phase 3 of implementation.
The clipboard-sharing feature is expected to utilize the AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures, allowing users to grant permission just once for each paired computer to enable continuous background synchronization. Additionally, Microsoft has submitted a new interoperability request to Apple to allow real-time synchronization of an iPhone's Photos library with a Windows computer's library.
Apple's proposed solution will utilize the AccessorySetupKit and Accessory Transport Extension infrastructures, allowing users to enable continuous background synchronization with a single one-time permission for each paired computer. Additionally, Microsoft has submitted a new request to Apple to enable real-time synchronization of the iPhone's Photos library with Windows computers. The clipboard-sharing feature is currently in Phase 3 of Apple's implementation process, following its approval on June 26, 2026.
