Apple will allow developers to distribute apps through third-party marketplaces and process transactions outside of its ecosystem.
Apple is opening a distribution and payment processing system in Brazil following an agreement with the country’s antitrust regulator.
The changes follow a three-year-long investigation stemming from a complaint filed by Uruguayan e-commerce giant Mercado Libre, which accused Apple of abusing its independence in distributing apps for its devices.
These new updates will give developers more options to distribute iOS apps to Brazilian users through other app markets, Apple said. Third-party app stores will need to be approved by Apple first, and will have to meet “ongoing requirements to provide developers and users”.
Additionally, Apple will also allow developers to include other payment processing methods in their apps or direct consumers to external sites to complete the transaction.
These new payment options will appear alongside Apple’s in-app purchases. However, purchase history and subscription management will not reflect payments made using third-party methods, the company clarified.
Apple said it will also not offer refunds for transactions made outside its ecosystem, and will have little ability to support customers who experience problems, scams or fraud.
The company introduced similar changes in Japan late last year.
In 2025, the Brazilian regulator, Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE), found Apple guilty of anti-competitive behavior within its iOS ecosystem.
Its investigation revealed that Apple prohibited the sale of services from third parties, and required developers to use the iOS payment system only when dealing with customers.
The watchdog found that these methods create “artificial barriers to entry” for competitors that sell apps and other tools to iOS users.
Later that year, Apple and CADE entered into an anti-competitive agreement. The terms of the agreement will last three years from when Apple announced changes to iOS in Brazil.
The deal also reduces the commission Apple charges for selling apps on the App Store from 30pc to 10pc for members of the Small Business programme, Video Partner Programme, Small Apps Partner Programme, and subscriptions following their first year – and 21pc for others. Apple says “most” developers will pay a lower fee.
Some of the developers directing transactions to non-iOS websites will pay a 15pc commission, while iOS apps distributed outside the App Store in Brazil will be charged a 5pc commission.
Apple also highlighted a number of cybersecurity issues from iOS open source to third-party marketplaces and payment platforms.
The company said it has worked with CADE to introduce new protections against malware, fraud or scam threats from third-party services, including an app marketplace approval process and basic updates for all iOS apps.
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