New iOS 18 API brings AirPods setup experience to third-party accessories

6 months ago 47

New iOS 18 API gives third-party accessories the same setup experience as AirPods

When Apple introduced AirPods in 2016, the company also unveiled a new, easy and intuitive way to pair wireless accessories to iPhone and iPad. Rather than having to go to Bluetooth settings and press buttons, the system identifies the accessory nearby and prompts the user to pair it. With iOS 18, this quick pairing process will be available for the first time to accessory makers.

New way to set up third-party accessories with iOS 18

Called AccessorySetupKit, the new API gives third-party accessories the same setup experience as Apple accessories such as AirPods and AirTag. As soon as the iPhone or iPad running iOS 18 with the right app detects a compatible accessory, it will show the user a popup to confirm pairing with that device.

With just a tap, the system will automatically handle all the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity required by the accessory. This also means that users will no longer have to manually give Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permissions individually to that accessory’s app.

If the accessory requires a more complex pairing process, such as confirming a PIN code, the iOS 18 API can also ask the user for this information without the need to open an app. Once the accessory has been paired, more information about it can be found in a new Accessories menu within the Privacy settings.

This is certainly huge news for accessory makers who had no chance of offering the same level of integration that Apple accessories have with iOS. Of course, this will require updates to both accessory apps and the accessories themselves – so don’t expect to see the new API in action before the release of iOS 18 this fall.

A beta preview of iOS 18 is currently available for developers, while a public beta will be released next month.