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Apple announces major App Store changes for Brazil, including alternative app marketplaces

Apple has officially opened its iOS ecosystem in Brazil, allowing developers to distribute apps through alternative marketplaces and utilize third-party payment systems following a settlement with local regulators.

Key Points

  • Users running iOS 26.5 or later can now set alternative app marketplaces as their default platform for software installation.
  • Developers can integrate third-party payment providers or direct users to external websites for transactions, subject to new commission structures.
  • All apps distributed outside the App Store must undergo a mandatory Notarization review process to identify malware and security threats.
  • New parental controls and age-rating requirements are enforced for all apps, including those using alternative payment methods, to protect younger users.
  • Apple introduced a 5% Core Technology Commission for apps distributed via alternative marketplaces and adjusted commission rates for App Store transactions.

Why it Matters

These changes represent a significant shift in Apple’s closed ecosystem model, driven by legal pressure from Brazil’s competition watchdog, CADE. The move provides developers with greater flexibility in distribution and payment processing while establishing a new regulatory precedent for digital marketplace competition in Latin America.
9to5Mac Published by Marcus Mendes
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