Apple opens iOS to rival app stores and payments in Brazil

Apple will allow developers to distribute apps via third-party marketplaces and process transactions outside its ecosystem.

Apple is opening up app distribution and payments processing in Brazil following an agreement with the country’s antitrust regulator.

These changes follow a three-year long investigation stemming from a complaint filed by Uruguayan e-commerce giant Mercado Libre, which accused Apple of abusing its monopoly in the distribution of apps for its devices.

The new updates will give developers additional options to distribute iOS apps to Brazilian users via alternative app marketplaces, Apple said. Third-party app stores will need to be approved by Apple first, and will need to meet “ongoing requirements to serve developers and users”.

Additionally, Apple will also allow developers to include alternative payment processing methods in their apps or guide consumers to external sites to complete transactions.

These new payment options will appear alongside Apple’s own in-app purchasing. However, purchase history and subscription management will not reflect payments made using third-party methods, the company clarified.

Apple said it will also not provide refunds for transactions conducted outside its ecosystem, and will have less ability to support customers encountering issues, scams or fraud.

The company introduced similar changes in Japan late last year.

In 2025, Brazil’s regulator, Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE), found Apple to be guilty of anticompetitive conduct within its iOS ecosystem.

Its investigation revealed that Apple prohibited the sale of services from third parties, and required developers to exclusively use the iOS payment system for transactions with customers.

The watchdog found that these practices created “artificial entry barriers” for competitors selling apps and other tools to iOS users.

Later that year, Apple and CADE entered into an agreement to implement anticompetitive measures. The agreement’s requirements are set to last for three years from when Apple announces changes to iOS in Brazil.

The agreement also reduces the commission Apple charges to sell apps on the App Store from 30pc to 10pc for members of the Small Business programme, Video Partner programme, Mini Apps Partner programme, and for subscriptions following their first year – and 21pc for the rest. Apple says a “vast majority” of developers will pay the lower fee.

Some of the developers steering transactions to websites outside iOS will pay a commission of 15pc, while iOS apps being distributed outside the App Store in Brazil will be charged a 5pc commission.

Apple also highlighted a number of cybersecurity issues emerging from opening up iOS to third-party markets and payment platforms.

The company said that it has worked with CADE to introduce new protections against potential malware, fraud or scam threats from third-party services, including an authorisation process for app marketplaces and baseline reviews for all iOS apps.

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