Windows PC users in the EU could soon be able to copy and paste content directly to and from an iPhone, thanks to a new interoperability feature Apple is developing. The feature was requested by Microsoft through Apple’s EU Interoperability Request system.
Apple began working on the request in March this year and submitted a proposed implementation plan in June.
Microsoft’s Phone Link on iOS (Credit – Microsoft)
The feature would let users copy text and other supported content on an iPhone and paste it onto a Windows PC, with the reverse also supported. Clipboard syncing would work even when the app isn’t running in the foreground.
According to the official request documentation, Apple plans to allow developers to build extensions that can share clipboard content with paired devices, such as Windows PCs. Users would need to grant one-time permission before clipboard sharing is enabled.
Apple says implementing cross-device clipboard syncing will require significant engineering work and doesn’t expect the feature to be ready until fall 2027. Once complete, it will first roll out through a developer beta before being released to the public.
Since the request stems from the EU’s interoperability requirements, it remains unclear whether Apple will make the feature available in other regions. However, Apple could technically expand the functionality beyond the EU.
