For many, it was unthinkable just a few years ago, but Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem has just undergone a complete transformation in South America. Apple has officially confirmed that it will allow the entry of alternative app stores and billing systems outside its control in Brazil, thanks to an agreement with the country's competition authority. This change is not an initiative of the company itself, but rather the resolution of a legal battle that began in 2022.
While in Europe we're somewhat more accustomed to this type of news due to the Digital Markets Act, what has happened in Brazil has a different nuance, as it's an agreement reached after an antitrust investigation. The decision promises to shake up the app market in a way few expected, allowing local giants like Mercado Libre to now manage their own distribution channels without having to go through Cupertino's approval.
A pact forced by Brazilian competition
The origin of this whole mess dates back to a complaint of anticompetitive practices that put Tim Cook's company in a very difficult position. After months of negotiations, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) has approved an agreement that requires Apple to be much more flexible. The multinational now has approximately 105 days to ensure everything is working correctly, under threat of multimillion-dollar fines that could reach $27 million if they fail to comply.
This opening isn't just wishful thinking; it's a technical reality that will arrive with iOS version 26.5. Starting with that update, Brazilian users will be able to choose whether they want to continue using the traditional App Store or venture into app stores managed by third parties . It's a giant leap that puts Brazil on the map of territories that have managed to break Apple's absolute control over its devices.
It's curious to see how Apple insists that these alternative options are not without risk. According to the company, opening the door to third parties can be a magnet for malware and scams , so they've designed a security system called notarization. This process involves both automated and human review to ensure that any application downloaded from outside the official store is stable and doesn't hide any unpleasant surprises that could compromise user privacy.
Freedom comes at a price: here are the new fees
As the saying goes, you get what you pay for, and Apple isn't going to give up its revenue so easily. The new fee structure is somewhat complex and has caused some friction among developers. For example, those who choose to sell their digital products through the traditional App Store but using third-party payments will have to pay a commission of around 21% , plus an additional 5% if they decide to continue using Apple's processing system.
Things change for apps distributed exclusively through third-party stores. In these cases, Apple will charge a 5% Core Technology Fee on sales. This means that even if you don't use their store, you still benefit from their tools and technologies to make your app work on an iPhone. For smaller developers and long-term subscriptions, there are reduced rates that could drop to as low as 10%, aiming to lessen the financial impact on smaller businesses.
Despite these price reductions, organizations like the Coalition for App Fairness have already voiced strong opposition. They believe these new terms are a veiled way of penalizing those seeking alternatives , as the fees remain high enough that many cannot make ends meet. It's the age-old debate between the value the platform provides and the creators' right to manage their revenue as they see fit.
Child safety and security: Apple's red line
One of the points Apple has emphasized most during negotiations with the Brazilian regulator has been the protection of minors. By allowing payments outside of their control, the risk of a child making an unauthorized purchase increases. Therefore, they have stipulated that apps aimed at children cannot include external links to payment websites, thus maintaining a much more controlled and secure environment for parents.
Furthermore, any app that uses alternative payment methods for users under 18 will be required to implement parental controls. This means an adult will have to approve the transaction before it is completed. Apple is also working on a new technical tool so parents can monitor these third-party purchases from their own devices, trying to prevent the opening of the system from becoming a free-for-all.
It's important to note that even if the user chooses a different app store, features like screen time limits and content restrictions will continue to function. This is because Apple requires all apps, regardless of their source, to maintain their age ratings . It's a relief to know that, even with a more open system, these layers of control that make iOS a preferred choice for many families in Spain and around the world won't be lost.
This radical transformation of the ecosystem in Brazil represents a milestone that we will likely see replicated in other Latin American countries like Mexico and Argentina in the future. Users now have the upper hand in deciding how they want to consume software, even being able to set a third-party store as the default in their phone's settings. Ultimately, the arrival of iOS 26.5 marks the beginning of a new era where Apple is no longer the sole dictator, forcing it to compete head-to-head with other markets for the first time in its history.