Apple has yielded to Brazil’s competition regulator, letting local developers bypass the App Store on iOS 26.5 and later. Authorized third‑party marketplaces can now sell iPhone apps, and developers may embed or link to external payment processors. The move mirrors similar concessions in the EU, Japan and South Korea, expanding Apple’s fragmented global compliance strategy and will roll out next quarter.

For apps that stay in the App Store, Apple trims commissions to as low as 21% on digital goods, down from a 30% ceiling, with many qualifying for 10% under existing programs. Transactions routed through a developer‑linked website incur a 15% fee, potentially reduced to 10%. Outside‑App Store sales attract a 5% “Core Technology” charge, covering Apple’s tooling now overall.

Apple warns that these alternatives introduce privacy and child‑safety concerns, imposing notarization for apps, marketplace authorization, and limits on under‑18 external links. Developers must sign an updated license by July 6, 2026 to use the new channels. The regulatory shift forces Apple to share revenue streams while preserving a controlled ecosystem for Brazilian users to maintain platform integrity and user trust.