Last year, when Apple announced iOS 18, it made headlines by revealing that certain features, including Apple Intelligence, would not be accessible to users in the European Union due to regulatory concerns. However, with the recent update to iOS 18.4, Apple has enabled Apple Intelligence for EU users. Despite this progress, one significant feature, iPhone Mirroring, remains unavailable in most European countries.
On Monday, Apple released the RC (Release Candidate) build of iOS 18.4 to developers and beta testers. This update is noteworthy as it introduces non-English languages to Apple Intelligence, enhancing the artificial intelligence capabilities for users in the EU. Many users initially speculated that this update would also unlock the iPhone Mirroring feature for those in the EU, but this expectation was not met.
For those who may be unfamiliar, iPhone Mirroring is a valuable feature that allows users to wirelessly view and control their iPhone screen directly from their Mac. This functionality can significantly enhance productivity and user experience. However, Apple has confirmed that this feature has been disabled for EU users due to "regulatory uncertainties" linked to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust legislation.
According to a statement from Apple, the DMA’s "interoperability requirements" could potentially compromise the integrity of their products, leading to risks for users. While Apple is moving forward with the launch of Apple Intelligence in the EU, the reasons for excluding iPhone Mirroring from this update have not been disclosed. Additionally, another feature, SharePlay Screen Sharing, which enables users to share their screen on FaceTime, is also not available in the EU.
The official public release of iOS 18.4 is expected in early April, and it comes packed with exciting new features. Users can look forward to improvements in the Control Center, the introduction of seven new emoji, and a new API designed for sports apps in CarPlay. These enhancements aim to improve the overall user experience and functionality of Apple devices.
In summary, while iOS 18.4 brings several new features and improvements, EU users will have to wait longer for the benefits of iPhone Mirroring and other functionalities due to regulatory challenges. Stay tuned for the official release and explore the new features that will enhance your iPhone experience.
