iOS 18 Expands Convenient AirPods-Like Pairing to More Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Accessories

Friday June 21, 2024 7:24 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

During its WWDC 2024 keynote last week, Apple announced that iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 will let apps offer AirPods-like pairing for more Bluetooth or Wi-Fi accessories.

iOS 18 AirPods Like Accessory Pairing
In apps that implement this new pairing process, users would be able to connect accessories to their devices directly in the app, without having to open the Settings app. In addition, Apple said this pairing process increases privacy by preventing accessory makers from gaining visibility into other devices on the user's local network.

Developers can add the AirPods-like pairing process to their apps with the new AccessorySetupKit framework, with more details available in this WWDC 2024 coding video.

iOS 18 is currently in beta for developers, and a public beta will be released in July. The update should be widely released in September, but it will take time for accessory makers to add support for this pairing process to their apps.

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

AlphaTeam

31 months ago

I like technology as much as the next guy, but do we really need a smart hair dryer?

Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)

NMBob

31 months ago

I like technology as much as the next guy, but do we really need a smart hair dryer?

It's for Hair Force One.

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

xnu

31 months ago

I first saw this and thought it was a new Air Pod for deep ears.

Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

NT1440

31 months ago

Very nice QOL improvement if accessory makers take advantage of it.

Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)

turbineseaplane

31 months ago

I actively seek out home electronics and appliances that are "as dumb as possible"

So many of these "smart" products are just complete e-waste creation

I don't need or want to "track my toothbrushing" or get stats about "drying my hair" and I certainly don't want to worry about it no longer working, or working differently, due to OTA updates 😣

In some ways, this feels like such a lost time in the technology space.
It's like the companies don't know what else to do other than "add an App and connectivity!"

Must. Make. Number. Go. Up.

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)