In order to cooperate with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA) that will officially take effect on December 18, Apple announced a series of major adjustments to the App Store and iOS in Japan. These changes are similar in mechanism to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), but retain the unique design of Japanese regulations in terms of payment methods, application distribution forms and interoperability.
In Japan, for the first time, users will be able to freely change the function of the side button and set it to launch third-party voice assistants instead of just Siri. As long as the main function of the application is voice dialogue, such as chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini, you have the opportunity to apply for linkage with the side button through the newly provided API to enter the voice dialogue mode with one click. The experience is similar to the current way of launching the application through the "action button" and shortcuts.
In terms of payment methods, developers have greater autonomy and can continue to use Apple in-app purchases, integrate third-party payment services, or guide users to jump to web pages to complete purchases. However, unlike the EU, Japan requires developers to present both in-Apple purchases and alternative payment options on the same purchase interface, and the in-app purchase button must not be less visible than other payment methods. Developers can set differentiated prices for different payment channels, such as providing lower prices through external payment links; once the user chooses third-party payment or web link, the system will inform through an in-app prompt that subsequent refunds and other services will no longer be borne by Apple.
In the field of application distribution, "alternative application stores" will be opened in Japan. Developers can continue to distribute applications through the official App Store, or they can choose one or more alternative application stores to put them on the shelves. All apps and app stores must still go through Apple's notarization process and undergo reviews for basic functionality, malware, and security threats, but Japan has not opened up channels for direct distribution of iOS apps through websites like the EU. Alternative app stores can set their own content rules and are responsible for fraud prevention, user support, and refunds. Users can set an alternative app store as the default app store to replace the system's native App Store.
In conjunction with the new distribution method, Apple has redesigned the fee structure for the Japanese market, with fees based on distribution channels and payment methods. For developers who qualify for the Small Business Program, Video Partner Program, and Mini Apps Partner Program, as well as those who maintain subscriptions for more than one year, lower rates will apply: when using in-app purchases through the App Store, the overall commission range is 15%–26%, of which 21% is the base commission, 5% is the payment processing fee, and for participants in the above programs, the base commission is 10%; when using the App Store but using an alternative payment plan, the fee is 10%–21%, depending on whether to participate in the preferential program and no longer charge a 5% payment processing fee; when only providing web links in the application to guide external transactions, a 15% "store service fee" is charged to general developers, and is reduced to 10% for program participants. Distribution through non-App Store channels uses a flat 5% "Core Technology Commission" that applies to paid apps and digital content sold in alternative app stores.
Apple stressed that the new charging method will result in "the same or lower" rates for 100% of developers in Japan. Developers who use alternative payment methods within their apps avoid Apple's 5% payment processing fee, but are still responsible for the cost of third-party payment services. For the model of completing transactions through web links, Apple no longer charges payment processing fees, but charges store service fees at a fixed rate, and developers also need to pay the costs of external payment institutions.
The MSCA sets out clear requirements for the protection of minors. Whether an app is distributed through the App Store or an alternative app store, it must provide an installation instruction with a clear age rating. Apps targeted as children are not allowed to provide any user with web links for completing transactions; non-children's apps are also not allowed to display such transaction links to users under the age of 13, and can only be displayed to users over the age of 13. For all users under the age of 18, any App Store application that uses alternative payment or web transactions must add a "parent verification link" and require minors to obtain parental consent before paying. Apple plans to release more APIs in the future to assist developers in meeting these compliance requirements.
Regarding the default selection, iPhone users will see the browser and search engine selection interface when setting up the device for the first time in Japan. Safari and Google search are no longer the automatic default options of the system. Developers can also choose to use a non-WebKit browser engine, as long as it meets the privacy requirements set by Apple; users can also modify the default browser, search engine and navigation application at any time in the "Default Apps" menu in the "Settings" app. At the same time, Japanese users can set third-party map applications as their default navigation tools to replace Apple Maps.
In terms of interoperability, MSCA requires Apple to accept interoperability requests from developers, that is, to open more hardware and software capabilities for third parties to use, and to establish a basic interoperability standard. But compared to the EU, Apple has greater discretion in Japan and can decide whether to implement relevant interoperability features after assessing security and privacy risks. EU interoperability obligations have resulted in some features being delayed or simply unavailable locally, such as "real-time translation" and certain screen mirroring features; Apple does not expect similar delays in Japan because local regulations provide exceptions for privacy and security risks.
In comparison with the DMA, Apple stated that the MSCA developed in cooperation with Japanese regulatory agencies is a "better solution": on the one hand, it allows the distribution of applications through non-App Store channels and introduces more market competition; on the other hand, it maintains a certain safety threshold through the notarization process and the protection requirements for minors. MSCA does not force the opening of web pages for direct downloading of applications, so Apple can still manage distribution security through the App Store level. It can also require developers to provide in-app purchases and alternative payments at the same time, allowing users to choose their own payment path. At the same time, MSCA allows Apple to deny interoperability requests that might compromise user privacy and security, while the DMA has less room to do so.
In terms of overall cost and feature mix, Japan’s plan is described as being close to the EU’s “Store Services Tier 2” that will be fully implemented on January 1, 2026. This tier provides full App Store functionality at a total cost of 15%–20%. Unlike the EU, Japan has not introduced a “tier one” option that reduces Apple’s functionality in exchange for a low fee of 10%–12%, making the local fee system relatively simple.
The above changes have been launched in Japan with the iOS 26.2 update released on December 12, and Apple will officially implement the relevant rules locally starting today. Developers who distribute iOS apps to Japanese users can immediately adjust distribution channels and payment settings in App Store Connect. Apple has also provided more detailed technical and compliance instructions on the developer website. It is worth noting that these changes currently only apply to iOS apps distributed in Japan, and other countries and regions will not be affected for the time being.