Apple opens iOS to rival app stores in Brazil settlement
- Source
- 9to5Mac
- Time
- 4:41 PM
- Weight
- 94/100
Apple has officially opened its iOS ecosystem in Brazil to alternative app marketplaces and third-party payment systems, following a settlement with the country’s competition regulator, CADE. Starting with iOS 26.5, developers can distribute apps through secondary marketplaces and offer payment methods outside of Apple’s proprietary In-App Purchase system.
While the update allows for alternative distribution, it does not permit direct web sideloading; all apps must still undergo a notarization review process and adhere to age rating requirements and parental controls. The settlement introduces a new commission structure tailored to the Brazilian market.