Apple now permits alternative app stores for iOS users in Brazil, a move that follows a December agreement with CADE, the country’s competition regulator. The company will let developers sell apps outside its own marketplace, but every new marketplace must receive Apple’s approval. This decision aligns with global trends toward less restrictive app distribution.

Under the new scheme, apps distributed through third‑party stores will carry a Core Technology Fee of 5 percent, compared to the 15 percent Apple normally charges within its App Store. Developers welcome the lower cut, but must still pass a streamlined review called Notarization, which screens for malware without the full scrutiny of the standard App Store review.

Apple’s approval process mirrors its approach in Europe, where the Digital Markets Act forces similar compliance. By opening Brazil to third‑party stores, the company signals a shift toward a more open ecosystem while preserving control over security. The move will affect millions of Brazilian users and could reshape the local app economy.