Apple has begun implementing significant changes to its iOS ecosystem in Brazil, allowing developers to distribute applications through alternative app marketplaces and use payment systems outside Apple’s own infrastructure, marking one of the company’s most substantial concessions to competition regulators in Latin America.
The changes stem from an agreement between Apple and Brazil’s competition authority, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), which has been investigating the company’s App Store practices following complaints that its rules limited competition in the distribution and sale of digital goods.
According to Apple, the new framework will permit developers in Brazil to offer apps through third-party marketplaces and direct users to external payment options for digital purchases. The company announced the measures in a June 18 update outlining changes to iOS and App Store policies in the country. Apple said the new rules will be introduced through iOS 26.5 and related developer program updates.
Telecompaper reported that the policy changes follow a competition probe in Brazil and are designed to comply with commitments Apple made to local regulators. The publication reported that developers will gain broader flexibility in how they distribute apps and process payments on Apple’s mobile platform.
The move follows a settlement approved by CADE in late 2025. Under that agreement, Apple committed to opening aspects of its iOS ecosystem that had previously been restricted to the company’s own App Store and payment system. Reuters reported that the settlement requires Apple to permit alternative app stores and external payment mechanisms in Brazil as part of efforts to increase competition in the mobile software market.
Long-running antitrust dispute
Brazil’s investigation into Apple began after complaints filed in 2022, including one from e-commerce and digital services company MercadoLibre. Regulators examined whether Apple used its control over iOS to restrict competition by requiring developers to distribute apps through the App Store and use Apple’s payment system for in-app purchases.
In 2025, CADE’s technical staff recommended action against Apple, arguing that certain App Store rules limited competition in digital markets. According to Reuters, investigators focused on restrictions surrounding app distribution and payment processing within the iOS ecosystem.
Related: Apple Opens iPhone App Ecosystem in Brazil Following Antitrust Agreement
The Brazilian case mirrors regulatory efforts in other jurisdictions that have challenged the market power of major digital platforms. European regulators have required Apple to make similar changes under the Digital Markets Act, while authorities in several countries have examined restrictions on app distribution, payment systems and developer communications.
Security safeguards remain in place
Apple said the Brazilian changes will be accompanied by security measures intended to reduce risks associated with software distributed outside the App Store. The company stated that applications distributed through alternative marketplaces will still be subject to a notarization process designed to detect malware and other security threats before software reaches users.
The company also said alternative marketplaces will be required to undergo an authorization process and comply with requirements aimed at protecting users, including children, from harmful content and fraud. Apple has consistently argued that broader app distribution channels can increase cybersecurity and privacy risks, a position it reiterated when announcing the Brazil-specific measures.
New business terms for developers
Alongside the distribution and payment changes, Apple introduced revised commercial terms for developers operating in Brazil. Industry reports indicate that developers using alternative distribution channels may face different commission structures and technology-related fees than those applied under the traditional App Store model.
While the new framework expands options available to developers, Apple continues to maintain certain oversight mechanisms and fee structures tied to access to iOS technologies and services.