Apple to Allow Third-Party App Stores in Brazil in 2026 After Settling Antitrust Case
Apple will permit third-party iOS app stores and alternative payment systems in Brazil starting in 2026, settling a 2022 antitrust case. The move follows similar changes in the EU.
Apple is opening another gate to its walled garden, but it's keeping the tollbooth firmly in place. According to a report from 9to5Mac, Apple is set to allow third-party app stores on iOS in Brazil beginning next year, 2026, after settling a legal battle with the country's competition watchdog that dates back to 2022.
Brazil Follows the EU's Lead
Brazil's regulator, CADE, announced it has approved a settlement agreement that obligates Apple to permit not only third-party app stores but also external payment systems for developers. This move makes Brazil the second major market after the European Union to force Apple to dismantle parts of its exclusive App Store ecosystem, following the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The Fine Print: Fees Remain, Warnings Must Be Neutral
However, Apple isn't relinquishing all control. The Brazilian publication Tecnoblog reports that the company will still be able to charge fees on transactions made through external systems. A key part of the deal is that any warnings shown to users about third-party stores or payments must use 'neutral wording,' a measure that seems designed to prevent Apple from using scare tactics to dissuade users from exploring alternatives.
This content is AI-generated based on source articles. While we strive for accuracy, errors may occur. We recommend verifying with the original source.
Related Articles
Apple names John Ternus, its hardware engineering chief, as the next CEO. The shift from operator to product person signals where Apple thinks its next decade of growth will come from — and raises real questions about what comes next.
Apple announced Tim Cook will step down as CEO on September 1st, replaced by hardware chief John Ternus. What does a hardware-first leader mean for Apple's future?
After 14 years and a run that turned Apple into a $4 trillion company, Tim Cook steps down as CEO. Hardware chief John Ternus takes over September 1. Here's what changes—and what doesn't.
New data shows global app releases surged 60% year-over-year in Q1 2026. The theory that AI chatbots would replace apps may have it completely backwards.
Apple names John Ternus, its hardware engineering chief, as the next CEO. The shift from operator to product person signals where Apple thinks its next decade of growth will come from — and raises real questions about what comes next.
Apple announced Tim Cook will step down as CEO on September 1st, replaced by hardware chief John Ternus. What does a hardware-first leader mean for Apple's future?
After 14 years and a run that turned Apple into a $4 trillion company, Tim Cook steps down as CEO. Hardware chief John Ternus takes over September 1. Here's what changes—and what doesn't.
New data shows global app releases surged 60% year-over-year in Q1 2026. The theory that AI chatbots would replace apps may have it completely backwards.
Thoughts
Share your thoughts on this article
Sign in to join the conversation