Apple opens App Store in Brazil to alternative marketplaces

After the EU and Japan, Apple is now also introducing alternative app marketplaces in Brazil and allowing other payment methods for in-app purchases and digital goods there. The iPhone manufacturer recently reached an agreement with the Brazilian competition authority Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE), which had demanded an opening from Apple. Apple announced the specific changes on Thursday.

The opening in Brazil is the result of a three-year antitrust case in the South American country. At the end of December 2025, media reports stated that the competition authority's orders were to be implemented as early as April 2026. Apparently, it took a little longer. Apple explained that it had worked with the authority to implement protective measures against new threats arising from the opening.

Apple reaches for the EU toolbox

The US-based company from Cupertino continues to leave no doubt that it finds the mandated openings problematic. The new options open up “new avenues for malware, fraud, deception, and risks to privacy and security,” Apple criticized in its statement. As in the EU, there will be a basic review of iOS apps, an approval process for app marketplaces, and requirements to help protect children from inappropriate content and deception. However, the risks could not be eliminated.

For its opening in Brazil, Apple is drawing on instruments and procedures that it created a few years ago to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Union and which are now also applied in Japan. Thus, there will be new terms and conditions for Brazil, which include the introduction of a commission for core technologies. This amounts to five percent and is similar to the core technology fee in the EU, which Apple charges for its basic services, but which still applies if developers distribute their apps through alternative marketplaces.

Special protection for children

In addition, there will be a 15 percent commission on transactions for digital goods and services made through a website linked from the developer's app. An additional fee of five percent will be charged for payment processing via Apple's App Store. The App Store commission is ten or 21 percent, depending on the program. Under these new terms and conditions, developers selling digital goods and services in Brazil will pay Apple the same or a lower amount than today. Those who do not sell digital goods and services will continue to pay no commissions or fees to Apple.

To protect children, Apple has agreed on some precautions with the authority in Brazil. Apps in the children's category of the App Store may not contain links to external websites with purchasing options. For users under 18, apps using alternative payment methods must include a protection mechanism that obtains parental before a purchase. Apps for minors may also not link to external transaction sites. Apple is also working on a new API that allows parents to monitor and approve purchases outside of Apple's own in-app purchase system.

In its announcement, Apple points out that similar openings in Europe and Japan have led to certain types of apps – including pornography apps – becoming available on iOS that were not previously allowed. Meanwhile, alternative app marketplaces are available in 29 countries. Apple sees this development as a cautionary example for Brazil as well. The innovations will be available to developers from iOS 26.5 onwards.

(mki)