Apple activated a new App Store regime in Brazil today, letting developers ship apps through alternative marketplaces for iOS 26.5 and later. The shift follows a settlement with Brazil’s competition agency CADE, triggered by a 2022 complaint from Mercado Libre. Under the deal, iOS opens to third‑party stores and permits non‑Apple payment methods, while retaining baseline security reviews. The move reshapes Brazil’s digital economy.

Developers can now choose among three payment models: keep Apple’s in‑app purchase system, embed a third‑party processor, or route users to an external web checkout. Apps sold via alternative stores incur a 5% Core Technology commission, while those staying in the App Store face a 21% fee plus a 5% processing charge, reduced to 10% for qualifying programs. These rates aim to balance revenue.

The rules also tighten child‑safety safeguards: Kids‑category apps cannot link to external payment pages, and any off‑app purchase must pass a parental‑gate check. Users on iOS 26.5 can set a non‑Apple marketplace as the default installer via Settings. Apple’s rollout mirrors its recent Japan changes, positioning Brazil as the first market to test a broader, multi‑store ecosystem. Consumers will notice new default options soon.