Apple Opens iOS in Brazil to Alternative App Stores and Third-Party Payments
Apple has announced sweeping changes to its iOS ecosystem in Brazil , allowing developers to distribute iPhone apps through alternative app marketplaces and accept payments via third-party platforms. The move, announced on June 18, 2026, is the direct result of regulatory pressure from Brazil's competition authority (CADE) and marks another major crack in Apple's walled-garden approach to the App Store.
Starting with iOS 26.5 , developers in Brazil can now circumvent Apple's in-app purchase system entirely — but not without fees. Apple's updated policies mirror similar concessions already made in the European Union, Japan, and South Korea, with the UK and Australia widely expected to be next.
What's Changing in Brazil
Alternative App Marketplaces
Developers can now distribute iOS apps through third-party app stores, which must be authorized by Apple and meet ongoing requirements. These marketplaces can offer apps without routing payments through Apple's in-app purchase system.
Third-Party Payment Processing
Apps still distributed through the official App Store can now include links to external websites for transactions or use alternative payment processing methods within the app itself.
New Fee Structure
Apple has introduced a tiered commission system for Brazilian developers.
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Originally published on TekMag
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