Apple announced on Thursday local time that it will make significant adjustments to iOS app distribution and payment rules in Brazil, allowing developers to distribute iPhone apps through alternative app markets authorized by Apple, and support the use of third-party payment platforms to complete transactions within the app or through external links. This means that developers in Brazil can bypass the traditional App Store distribution channels and Apple’s own in-app purchase system to a certain extent, but they still need to pay Apple Pay related fees.
According to the plan announced by Apple, third-party application markets operating in Brazil must be authorized by Apple and continue to meet the compliance requirements set by it. For apps that continue to be listed through the App Store, developers can integrate non-Apple payment processing methods in the app, and can also add links within the app that jump to external websites to complete transactions. The above changes will be available to users with iOS 26.5 and subsequent versions, and the direct background is related enforcement actions by the Brazilian competition regulator. Apple has launched a special explanation page on its official website for Brazilian developers to provide more detailed interpretation of the rules and implementation details.
Apple emphasized in its statement that while this opening up initiative will enhance developers’ choices, it will also bring new privacy and security risks to users, including children. To this end, the company has introduced a series of supporting security mechanisms, including the notarization process for iOS applications, the authorization review process for the application market itself, and restrictions on minors’ account jumps to external links and the use of alternative payments. Apple said these measures are designed to strike a balance between regulatory requirements and user protection.
Prior to Brazil, Apple had opened third-party app stores and/or third-party payment systems to varying degrees in the EU, Japan and South Korea in response to local competition and digital market regulations. The industry predicts that as similar legislation and regulations advance in the UK and Australia, Apple is likely to be forced to adopt adjustments similar to those in Brazil and the EU in these markets.
In terms of fee structure, Apple has also simultaneously adjusted its commission system for Brazilian developers. For iOS apps that continue to be distributed through the App Store, the commission limit for digital goods and services has been reduced from the previous maximum of 30% to a maximum of 21%. Qualified developers can also reduce the actual commission to about 10% through the "Small Business Program", "Video Partner Program", "Mini Program Partner Program", etc. If the app still uses the App Store's in-app purchase system, an additional 5% fee will be charged on top of the above.
For situations where external links in the App Store guide users to websites to complete transactions for digital goods and services, the relevant transactions require a 15% commission from Apple Pay in Brazil, which can also be reduced to 10% in some cases. For apps distributed entirely outside the App Store to Brazilian iOS users through third-party app markets, Apple will charge a 5% "core technology commission" on paid apps and in-app digital goods and services. Apple said the fee is used to reimburse its costs of providing development tools, technical infrastructure and related services on the iOS platform.
In terms of the system implementation schedule, Apple requires all developers currently participating in the Apple Developer Program to agree to the updated Developer Program License Agreement by July 6, 2026 at the latest, which incorporates the terms of opening alternative distribution channels and payment options in Brazil. Developers who fail to accept the new terms on time may have their applications distributed and updated in the Brazilian market affected in the future.