Apple Opens iOS in Brazil to Third-Party App Stores and External Payments

Published on January 05, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Apple logo over a Brazilian flag, with app store and coin icons around, symbolizing the opening of the iOS ecosystem in the country.

Apple Opens iOS in Brazil to Third-Party App Stores and External Payments

The tech giant Apple has reached an agreement with the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) to modify the rules of its mobile platform. Starting next year, users in Brazil will be able to install app stores other than the App Store, and developers will be able to use payment processors independent of Apple. This move responds to regulatory pressures and alters the company's traditional business model in a strategic market. 📱🇧🇷

A Structural Change in Distribution Rules

The agreement implies a significant shift in the closed ecosystem policy that has defined iOS for years. Brazilian users will have the option to download software from external sources, while app creators will be able to avoid the commissions Apple charges for each transaction within its system. To implement these changes, the company needs to adjust its operating system, a technical process expected to be ready for users to test in 2025.

Main modifications coming to iOS in Brazil:
  • Users will be able to install third-party app stores without relying exclusively on the official App Store.
  • Developers will have the option to integrate external payment systems in their applications, which may reduce costs.
  • The requirement to use Apple's own payment processor for in-app purchases is eliminated.
This agreement closes the investigation into possible abuse of dominant position that CADE had open against Apple, avoiding a substantial economic sanction.

Global Regulatory Pressure as the Driving Force

The decision for Brazil is not an isolated case, but fits into a global trend. Regulators in different regions are pressuring big tech companies to open their platforms and foster competition. The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) is the most prominent example, which already requires Apple to allow alternative software distribution and external payments in member countries.

Regulatory context driving these changes:
  • Investigation by the Brazilian CADE into practices that could limit competition.
  • Pressure from the European Union with its legal framework for digital markets.
  • International debate on the control exerted by dominant app stores.

Balance Between Openness, Security, and User Experience

While many developers and competition advocates celebrate this greater freedom, the change raises questions. One of the historical pillars of iOS has been the security and centralized control that, according to Apple, protects users from malicious software. Allowing installation from external sources could fragment the user experience and generate new challenges in protecting devices. The success of this transition in Brazil will be closely watched by other markets and regulators. 🔓⚖️