Apple has quietly added a new "App Installation" setting in iOS 26.5 for Brazilian users, paving the way for alternative app marketplaces beyond the App Store. The feature appears under Settings > Apps > Default Apps, currently showing only the App Store but hinting at broader changes ahead.

This follows a settlement with CADE, Brazil's competition regulator, which required Apple to permit alternative app distribution. The new interface suggests users will soon choose their preferred marketplace, with Apple's description indicating multiple marketplace support and default selection capabilities.

Apple's Brazilian terms include a 25% commission on App Store sales (reduced to 10% for qualifying developers), plus a 5% fee for in-app purchases. Alternative app stores face a 5% Core Technology Commission. Apps using external payment links pay 15% commission, while static text references remain fee-free.

The feature rollout signals Apple's compliance with Brazilian regulations, potentially reshaping the iOS ecosystem in one of the world's largest smartphone markets. Users gain choice, while developers face new fee structures for app distribution.