Users in the European Union will gain the ability to copy text on an iPhone and paste it directly onto a Windows PC under a planned feature arriving in a fall 2027 release of iOS 28, according to regulatory filings and developer records. The cross-device clipboard sharing capability stems from an interoperability request submitted by Microsoft under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act.
Microsoft Interoperability Request Details
Microsoft submitted Request ID FB22329535 on March 25, 2026, asking for cross-device clipboard sharing access between iOS and Windows, according to Apple’s developer web portal. Apple reviewed the submission and approved it on June 26, 2026. The tracking system shows Apple picked up the request on March 31, 2026, and moved it to further evaluation on April 27, 2026.
Pro Tip: Under the EU Digital Markets Act framework, third-party developers can request interoperability features via Apple’s web portal, though approved builds typically require a timeline of six to eighteen months to complete.
Current Workarounds vs. Proposed Integration
Current clipboard sharing solutions require third-party apps to maintain a connection between devices, keep the iOS application open in the foreground, and prompt users for permission with every single share, as noted in Microsoft’s request. Microsoft argued in its filing that consumers expect features like cross-device clipboard synchronization to “just work.” The proposed system would enable seamless copying from iPhone to Windows or vice versa without complicated app management or repeated permission prompts, while maintaining user privacy and control.
Technical Implementation and Future Rollout
Apple indicated that the solution will utilize a framework similar to the Accessory Notifications and Accessory Live Activities features introduced in iOS 26.5 for the EU. Developers will need to implement AccessorySetupKit to facilitate a one-time permission prompt for pairing accessories and sharing the clipboard. While Apple stated in the submissions that the feature is being built for the EU market, previous features driven by DMA compliance, such as software emulation, eventually rolled out globally. Regulatory pressure in the United States could similarly push Apple to make the Windows clipboard sharing system available to domestic users.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the iPhone to Windows clipboard sharing feature be available?
According to Apple’s developer portal tracking, the feature is scheduled for a fall 2027 release tied to iOS 28.
Who requested the cross-device clipboard feature?
Microsoft submitted the interoperability request (Request ID FB22329535) on March 25, 2026, which Apple approved on June 26, 2026.
Will this feature be available outside the European Union?
Apple’s current documentation states the feature is built for the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act, but past compliance tools like emulation eventually expanded worldwide.
How will users authorize the clipboard sharing connection?
Developers will use AccessorySetupKit to prompt users for a one-time permission pairing, mirroring systems introduced in iOS 26.5.
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