Apple's biggest iOS 28 upgrade might be an Android inspired feature

Thanks to the availability of the Universal Clipboard capability, you can copy different types of content on one Apple device and paste it on another. For instance, you can copy some text on your iPhone and paste it on your Mac.

Unfortunately, this feature is exclusive to Apple devices, meaning you can't copy and paste content between an iPhone and a Windows PC or vice versa. However, doing this might become possible with the upcoming iOS 28 update.

Interoperability request by Microsoft

Apple has created a dedicated web portal to comply with the EU's interoperability requirements under the DMA. Here, third-party developers can request the company to build interoperability features. On March 25, 2026, Microsoft used the portal to submit a request to Apple to come up with a solution similar to Universal Clipboard, which allows copying and pasting content between iOS and Windows, or vice versa.

The request went under evaluation on 27 April and was reportedly approved on 26 June. Microsoft has essentially outlined the following three important use cases of the clipboard functionality in its request:

• Copy and paste different types of content between iPhone and Windows PC, or vice versa.
• Users won't have to rely on third-party applications like Phone Link or perform repeated actions like pressing a sync or share button every time they want to copy content between the devices.
• The clipboard syncing functionality becomes "continuous capability rather than a manual app-driven operation."

Apple to develop a solution

As mentioned above, on June 26, the Cupertino Giant confirmed that it will come up with something to meet Microsoft's needs. The new functionality will follow the same pattern that the company used "in the Accessory Notification and Accessory Live activities framework that was introduced on iOS 26.5" in the EU. For reference, the Accessory Notification framework allows trusted wearables to send system-level notifications on Apple devices.

Apple goes on to further mention that developers would be allowed to build an extension that will enable sharing of clipboard content with the connected Windows device. When you copy a supported type of content on your iPhone, such as text, the developed extension would be notified by iOS, and then the copied content could be transferred to Windows with the help of Apple's Accessory Transport Extension framework.

In order for clipboard syncing to start and function effectively, the Redmond Giant would also need to rely on Apple's AccessorySetupKit framework, which will allow it to get users' permission for the paired Windows device.

There's definitely demand

Users who own an iPhone and a Windows PC have been requesting a feature like this for a long time. Online forums like Reddit are filled with posts and comments from users calling out Apple for not developing something like a Universal Clipboard that works with Windows. They also suggest different workarounds and third-party tools that they are currently using.

Interestingly, if you use an Android and Windows combination, you don't have to worry about clipboard syncing. You have solutions like the Microsoft Phone Link app and the SwiftKey keyboard that have been offering this functionality for many years. I, personally, have the Microsoft SwiftKey installed on my Pixel 10 and use it to copy and paste supported content between my phone and my Windows PC, or vice versa.

It could be part of iOS 28

Apple hasn't explicitly confirmed the date, but it mentions that it has plans to complete the development of the feature by "fall 2027." It's the same time that the tech giant usually unveils its new iOS version, which will be iOS 28 next year. So, there's a possibility that what appears to be an Android-inspired capability could be launched as part of iOS 28.

All that said, Apple appears to be developing the feature only for the EU. But it might become available globally if regulators push for it.

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