Apple allows alternative app stores and payments in Brazil
Big news for iPhone users in Brazil: Apple is letting developers use approved third-party app stores and payment methods starting with iOS 26.5.
This change comes after a settlement with Brazil's competition regulator and finally wraps up a dispute from 2022.
So, you'll have more ways to download apps and pay for stuff, not just through Apple.
Apple keeps safety checks, 5% fee
Apple says privacy and security will still be top priorities, even with alternative app stores.
Apps will need to pass Apple's safety checks and follow parental controls like Screen Time.
Developers get more flexibility with payments (including external links), but Apple's own system will always be an option, especially for apps aimed at kids.
There's also a new commission setup: sales through other marketplaces face a 5% fee, keeping things fair while giving developers more room to innovate.