Apple will allow third-party app stores on iPhones in Brazil starting next year after reaching a settlement with the country’s competition authority, CADE.
The decision ends a legal dispute that began in 2022 and marks another major shift in Apple’s long-standing App Store policies.
According to CADE, Apple has agreed to let developers distribute apps through alternative app stores and use external payment systems instead of Apple’s in-app purchases.
While Apple will still be allowed to charge fees, the exact structure has not been disclosed. The regulator also requires Apple to use neutral wording when warning users about third-party stores and payment methods.
Apple has repeatedly argued that opening iOS could create security and privacy risks for users. However, similar regulations have already forced Apple to make changes in other regions, including Europe and Japan. In the United States, Apple already allows developers to link to external payment options.
Apple has 105 days to implement these changes in Brazil. If the company fails to comply, it could face fines of up to R$150 million (around $27 million). In a statement, Apple said the changes may introduce new risks but claimed it has kept important safeguards in place, especially to protect younger users.
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