Maya Robertson
An alternative app marketplace has gone live in Japan just hours after Apple implemented changes to its iOS ecosystem to comply with the country’s new Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA). AltStore PAL, developed by Riley Testut, is now available to Japanese users, allowing them to install apps on iPhones and iPads outside Apple’s official App Store.
Apple announced earlier this week that it would permit alternative app marketplaces in Japan, marking a significant shift in its long-standing distribution model. Under the revised framework, developers can offer apps through third-party stores, use payment methods other than Apple’s in-app purchase system, and link users to external payment environments. Apple continues to require notarization checks for security and charges a new set of fees, including a five percent Core Technology Commission for marketplace operators.
AltStore confirmed that its marketplace became available in Japan shortly after the new rules took effect. The platform had already been operating in the European Union since 2024, enabling it to adapt quickly to Japan’s regulatory environment. According to the developer, Apple did not provide advance notice of the timing of the changes, but AltStore was able to launch within hours.
Japanese users who are physically located in the country, signed into a Japanese App Store account, and running compatible versions of iOS or iPadOS can download AltStore PAL directly from the AltStore website. Once installed, the marketplace allows users to sideload apps that are not distributed through Apple’s App Store, including software with functionality that would typically be restricted under Apple’s standard content rules.
Apps offered through AltStore PAL can monetize through Patreon subscriptions rather than Apple’s in-app payments. To mark its launch in Japan, AltStore is offering users a free month of Patreon access, which unlocks additional features such as beta updates and patron-exclusive content. Subscription tiers typically range from a few dollars per month.
Apple’s new framework requires alternative marketplaces to receive authorization and submit apps for notarization, a process designed to screen for malware and basic security issues. While Apple maintains this technical review, it exercises less control over content distributed through third-party stores compared to its own App Store.
The arrival of AltStore PAL in Japan highlights how quickly alternative distribution channels are emerging as Apple adjusts its platform rules under regulatory pressure. Japan now joins the European Union as a market where iOS users have access to competing app marketplaces alongside Apple’s own.
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