Apple is making one of the biggest changes ever to the iPhone ecosystem in Brazil. With the arrival of iOS 26.5, developers gain the ability to distribute apps through alternative app stores and use third-party payment systems, bypassing the company's proprietary in-app purchase system.
The changes are the result of a settlement with the Brazilian competition authority CADE, which has long been investigating Apple's practices regarding the App Store and the mandatory fees imposed on developers.
Brazil follows the example of Europe and Asia
The new agreement adds Brazil to the list of markets that have forced Apple to loosen its control over iOS. The European Union, Japan and South Korea have already imposed similar regulatory interventions, considering that the exclusive operation of the App Store limits competition and financially burdens app creators.
See also: iOS 27: All the new Visual Intelligence features
The pattern is now clear: Regulators are demanding greater ecosystem openness, and Apple is complying, while attempting to maintain a significant amount of control through new fees, certification processes, and technical restrictions.
What's changing for developers
Brazilian developers participating in Apple's Developer Program will now be able to distribute apps through alternative marketplaces, but they must first receive special authorization from the company.
At the same time, application creators gain the ability to use their own payment systems for digital goods and services, eliminating the mandatory use of Apple's purchase mechanism.
However, Apple still maintains a significant degree of oversight. All apps distributed outside the App Store will continue to undergo verification processes, which include automated checks as well as human evaluation to detect malware and potential security breaches.
The new charges do not satisfy the market
The biggest sticking point is the new fee structure. Developers who remain on the App Store and use Apple's purchasing system will pay a 5% processing fee, on top of a commission that ranges between 10% and 21%.
Those who choose third-party payment systems will continue to pay fees of up to 21%, while apps distributed through alternative stores will be charged a new Core Technology Fee of 5%.
See also: Apple releases second public betas of iOS 26.6 and macOS Tahoe 26.6
In practice, many developers estimate that the financial benefit of distributing outside the App Store may be limited, particularly for smaller companies and independent app creators.
There is no free sideloading
Despite opening up the ecosystem, Apple does not allow full sideloading of apps directly from the internet. Users will only be able to install apps through approved third-party stores.
This approach is almost identical to the one implemented in the European Union after the Digital Markets Act came into force. Apple argues that these restrictions are necessary to protect privacy, prevent fraud and keep underage users.
Epic Games and the Coalition for App Fairness are fighting back
Apple's announcements sparked immediate backlash. Epic Games and the Coalition for App Fairness, which includes companies like Spotify, ProtonMail, Match and Deezer, argued that the new terms do not create a truly open and competitive environment.
According to the company's critics, the new fees and oversight requirements act as disincentives to use alternative app stores and maintain Apple's competitive advantage
See also: Apple still has three unreleased iOS 27 features in the works
Epic Games spoke of "anti-competitive policies" and confirmed that it is rapidly developing the Epic Games Store for iPhone, with the aim of launching it in the Brazilian market in the coming months.
A battle that has just begun
The agreement with CADE stipulates that Apple had to implement the changes within 105 days, while non-compliance could lead to fines of up to $27 million.
Despite the company's concessions, the big question remains unanswered: will Brazil succeed in creating a truly open app ecosystem or will Apple, through new economic and technical mechanisms, maintain the App Store as the only commercially viable option? The developments of the coming months are expected to be another critical test for the future of digital competitiveness on mobile platforms.
