Apple may finally open the iPhone ecosystem to other platforms with iOS 27

Apple could be preparing one of its most notable ecosystem shifts yet in iOS 27, with new reporting suggesting the company may allow users in the European Union to replace AirPlay with Google Cast and other streaming protocols at the system level.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is working on support for third-party AirPlay streaming alternatives that could be set as the default way to send video, photos, and audio from an iPhone to a speaker or TV.

At the moment, iOS only supports AirPlay natively, while Google Cast and similar options are mostly limited to app-by-app support. If this report is accurate, it would mean a much more open casting experience for iPhone owners, especially in homes, hotels, and offices where Chromecast-style devices are more common than AirPlay gear.

The move is reportedly part of Apple’s attempt to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which continues forcing major tech companies to open up parts of their platforms and services. Bloomberg says Apple could allow users to set third-party casting systems, such as Google Cast, as the default streaming method on iPhones.

That would be a major change for Apple, whose ecosystem has historically favoured its own proprietary standards and services.

The catch, however, is that the feature may remain exclusive to the EU. Apple has previously limited several compliance-related changes to European markets instead of expanding them globally. This feature is expected to arrive with the new iOS 27 update, which Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 during WWDC26, scheduled for June 8–12.

Beyond casting changes, we already know the company is reportedly working on several AI-focused additions for the update. Earlier this month, we reported on iOS 27’s rumored AI grammar tools, smarter Shortcuts integration, and AI-generated wallpapers, signaling a broader push toward a more intelligent iPhone experience.

And if this all sounds familiar, it’s because the EU has already proven it can force Apple to make significant changes. Back in 2022, the EU’s USB-C law effectively pushed Apple away from Lightning, ultimately reshaping the iPhone charging ecosystem worldwide.

If iOS 27 really does allow Google Cast and other streaming protocols to work natively on iPhones, it could become another example of regulators successfully chipping away at Apple’s famously closed ecosystem.