Apple has officially announced sweeping changes to its iOS ecosystem in Brazil, introducing alternative app distribution and outside payment processing methods for the first time in the country. The shift comes as a direct result of an agreement between the tech giant and Brazil’s competition regulator, the Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE). Integrated into the newly released iOS 26.5, these updates mirror similar regulatory frameworks Apple has established in other global markets, altering both the developer landscape and the user experience for Brazilian iPhone users.
Under the new guidelines, developers operating in Brazil are no longer restricted solely to the official App Store. They now have the option to distribute their iOS applications through authorized alternative app marketplaces. To mitigate the baseline security vulnerabilities that come with downloading software from third-party sources, Apple is implementing a mandatory “Notarization” process. This protocol combines automated checks and human review to scan all external apps for malware and viruses. However, Apple explicitly noted that Notarization is less comprehensive than its traditional App Store review process, warning that external downloads carry higher risks of fraud, scams, and exposure to objectionable content.
In tandem with alternative distribution, Apple is breaking its exclusive grip on digital transactions within the region. Developers can now implement alternative in-app payment processors or completely redirect users to external websites to finalize purchases for digital goods and services. To maintain transparency, these third-party payment methods must be displayed alongside Apple’s native In-App Purchase system. Apple stressed that it cannot assist with refunds, subscription management, or fraud resolution for any transactions completed outside of its proprietary financial pipeline.
To accommodate this multi-tiered ecosystem, a revamped fee structure has been introduced for digital sales in Brazil. For standard transactions remaining on the App Store, the commission rate drops to 10 percent for the vast majority of creators—such as those in the Small Business Program—and 21 percent for larger entities, down from the traditional 30 percent cap. Choosing to use Apple’s native payment processing will tack on an additional 5 percent fee. Meanwhile, developers redirecting users to external websites will owe a store services commission of 10 to 15 percent. Apps bypassing the App Store entirely via alternative marketplaces will bypass these standard commissions, instead paying a flat 5 percent Core Technology Commission on digital sales to compensate Apple for its underlying software development tools. As before, apps that do not sell digital goods or services will remain entirely exempt from fees.
