Brazil has become the third major region in the world to officially allow iPhone users to install applications from alternative stores outside of the App Store, joining the European Union and Japan in imposing changes on Apple's app distribution policies. The move comes after Apple reached a settlement with Brazil’s antitrust authority (CADE) following a dispute that lasted nearly three years over competition within the iOS system.

Installing applications from external stores

Under the new changes, iPhone users in Brazil can now download apps from alternative app stores instead of relying exclusively on the App Store. Apple also allows developers to use external payment systems within apps, giving them the ability to bypass the commission that the company imposes on in-app digital purchases. Observers believe this move gives developers more flexibility and increases user options within the iOS ecosystem.

Feature not available for iPad users

Despite the new changes, these features do not include iPad devices in Brazil. Tablet users are still required to use only the official App Store. Apple also does not currently allow users to download apps directly from developers' websites, a feature available in some other markets.

Terms of Use for Alternative Stores

To take advantage of the new feature, users need to update their phone to iOS 16.5 or a later version. Apple requires that the Apple ID be linked to Brazil and that the user is physically present in the country when activating the feature for the first time. If the user installs apps from an alternative store and then leaves Brazil, they can continue using the apps normally, but updates will only be available for up to 90 days while they are outside the country.

Apple has confirmed that it has added new protection layers within iOS to handle applications coming from external stores. Among these measures is a security review system known as "Notarization," which aims to examine apps and ensure they are free of malware before allowing them to be installed. However, the company clarified that these measures do not guarantee the removal of all potential risks associated with downloading apps from external sources.

First Alternative Stores Go Live

AltStore is one of the first alternative app stores available officially for iPhone users in Brazil. Users can download the store from its official website and set it as a default store for apps outside the App Store. Aptoide Store has already become available in the Brazilian market, while Epic Games plans to launch its own game store in Brazil later in 2026.

Why is America still off the list?

Although Apple has made some changes to its App Store policies in the United States following competition-related court rulings, it still does not allow alternative app stores on iPhones within the US market. As a result, iPhone users in Brazil have more freedom to download apps than those in the US, a situation that would have been difficult to imagine just a few years ago.