Apple to open iOS to alternative app stores and payments in Brazil after antitrust settlement

Apple has agreed to allow alternative app stores and third-party payment options on iOS in Brazil as part of a settlement with the country’s antitrust authority, concluding a dispute that has been ongoing since 2022.

Brazil’s competition regulator, the Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE), said its internal panel approved Apple’s proposed settlement, known as a Term of Commitment to Cease, bringing the investigation to a close in exchange for enforceable changes to Apple’s App Store policies. The agreement follows a complaint filed by Latin American e-commerce company MercadoLibre, which challenged Apple’s restrictions on app distribution and mandatory use of its in-app payment system.

Under the settlement, Apple must allow third-party app stores to operate on iOS in Brazil, permit developers to offer alternative payment methods alongside Apple’s own system, and allow links that direct users to external websites for transactions. Apple will have up to 105 days to implement the changes, putting the rollout timeline in early April 2026.

CADE said the agreement will remain in effect for three years once the new rules become mandatory for developers. If Apple fails to comply, it could face fines of up to 150 million reais (about $27 million) and the potential reopening of the antitrust investigation. As part of the settlement, Apple also agreed to withdraw a legal challenge it had filed against earlier interim measures imposed by the regulator.

Apple confirmed it will implement the required changes to meet CADE’s demands, while reiterating concerns that opening iOS to alternative app distribution and payment systems could introduce privacy and security risks for users. The company said it has retained certain safeguards but acknowledged that these measures may not fully eliminate all risks.

The Brazilian case mirrors similar regulatory outcomes in other regions. Apple has already been required to allow alternative app distribution or third-party payments in markets such as the European Union, Japan, and South Korea, and faces comparable regulatory pressure in several other countries.

MercadoLibre said the settlement represents progress but argued that it only partially addresses the need for more balanced competitive conditions on iOS in Brazil.

According to information obtained by Brazilian tech publication Tecnoblog, the upcoming framework is expected to include revised fee structures. These reportedly include commissions of up to 25% on in-app purchases, reduced rates for certain programs, a separate fee for using Apple’s payment system, and a core technology commission for alternative app stores. Apple has not yet formally confirmed the final fee terms.

CADE said further details on implementation and compliance will be monitored as the 105-day deadline approaches, marking one of the most significant changes to Apple’s App Store model in Latin America to date.