In a significant policy reversal, Apple has agreed to allow users in Brazil to download and install third-party app stores on iPhones and other iOS devices starting in 2026. This decision marks the end of a protracted legal battle with Brazil's competition watchdog and adds the South American nation to a small but growing list of countries forcing the tech giant to relax its tightly controlled ecosystem.
The Brazilian Settlement: Key Details and Deadlines
According to an official press release from Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), Apple has signed a Term of Commitment to Termination (TCC). This legally binding agreement compels the company to implement major changes. Beyond permitting alternative app marketplaces, the settlement mandates that developers be allowed to use external payment systems for in-app purchases, bypassing Apple's own billing service.
The tech giant has been given 105 days to operationalize these changes. Failure to comply could result in substantial fines, reportedly reaching up to R$150 million (approximately $27 million). While Apple can still charge commissions on purchases, the specifics of this fee structure remain unclear. Crucially, CADE has ordered that any warnings Apple shows users about the risks of using third-party stores or payment methods must be neutral in tone and wording, preventing the company from using scare tactics.
A Global Trend: Mounting Antitrust Pressure on Apple
Brazil is now part of a global movement challenging Apple's App Store policies, long criticized as anti-competitive. Users in the European Union and Japan already have the ability to sideload apps from alternative stores, a direct result of regulatory pressure. The shift is not confined to other continents; Apple is facing significant legal headwinds in its home market as well.
In the United States, Apple lost several attempts to delay court-ordered App Store reforms stemming from the landmark Epic Games lawsuit. A 2021 ruling by a US district court required Apple to let developers guide consumers to cheaper, non-Apple payment options. The court has since intervened to stop Apple from imposing workarounds, such as a controversial 27% fee on purchases made outside the App Store, and prohibited restrictions on where developers can place payment links.
In a statement to media outlets like 9to5Mac, an Apple spokesperson acknowledged the changes in Brazil, framing them as a necessary concession. "While these changes will open new privacy and security risks to users, we have worked to maintain protections," the spokesperson said, adding that the company would continue to advocate for its vision of a secure iOS platform.
The Indian Context: Apple's High-Stakes Battle with the CCI
The developments in Brazil naturally raise the question: Could India be next? The scenario is already unfolding, with Apple locked in a high-stakes confrontation with the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
In a major legal move in November 2025, Apple approached the Delhi High Court to challenge provisions of India's competition law. The core dispute revolves around the CCI's power to calculate penalties based on a company's global turnover, which for Apple could theoretically mean fines as high as $38 billion. This is the first legal test of India's amended antitrust penalty law.
The courtroom battle follows a 2024 finding by the CCI's investigation unit, which concluded that Apple had abused its dominant position in the Indian app market. Apple has vehemently denied all allegations in this ongoing probe. The outcome of this case could determine whether the Indian regulator follows the precedent set by Brazil, Europe, and others, potentially mandating the opening of iOS to third-party app stores and payment systems in one of the world's largest smartphone markets.
The agreement in Brazil signifies a pivotal moment in the global tech landscape, demonstrating that even the most entrenched platform policies can be reshaped by determined regulatory action. All eyes are now on jurisdictions like India, where the final verdict could redefine the rules of the digital marketplace for millions of users and developers.
