Apple Introduces Major iOS Changes in Brazil Following CADE Agreement
In a landmark shift for the Brazilian digital marketplace, Apple has announced sweeping changes to iOS as part of a formal agreement with Brazil's competition regulator, CADE (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica). Beginning with iOS 26.5, developers and consumers in Brazil will experience a fundamentally different app ecosystem — one that introduces new freedoms, new responsibilities, and important new protections. Whether you are an app developer, a business owner, or simply an iPhone user in Brazil, these changes are set to reshape how you interact with apps and digital services on Apple devices.
What Is the Apple-CADE Agreement?
CADE is Brazil's principal antitrust and competition authority, tasked with ensuring fair market practices across all industries, including the technology sector. Over recent years, global regulators have intensified scrutiny of large platform companies, particularly around app store monopolies and payment processing control. Apple's agreement with CADE represents a significant regulatory milestone in Latin America, mirroring similar developments seen in the European Union under the Digital Markets Act.
As a result of this agreement, Apple is now required to open up certain core functionalities of iOS that were previously locked exclusively to Apple's own infrastructure. This means Brazilian users and developers gain access to options that were, until now, unavailable in the country — and indeed in most parts of the world.
Key Changes Coming to iOS in Brazil
Starting with iOS 26.5, the following new capabilities will become available to developers and users in Brazil:
- Alternative App Marketplace Distribution: Developers can now distribute their apps through third-party app marketplaces that operate outside of the official Apple App Store. This gives developers direct access to Brazilian consumers without being exclusively dependent on Apple's platform.
- Operating Alternative App Marketplaces: Companies and developers can now create and operate their own app marketplaces for iOS in Brazil, opening the door for entirely new distribution platforms to emerge in the Brazilian market.
- Third-Party Payment Processing: Developers can process in-app payments for digital goods and services outside of Apple's In-App Purchase (IAP) system. This is particularly significant for app businesses, as Apple's IAP has traditionally required developers to pay a commission of up to 30% on digital transactions.
- Additional Developer Freedoms: Beyond the above, Apple has indicated that further options are becoming available, giving developers more flexibility in how they build, distribute, and monetize their apps for Brazilian users.
Security and Privacy Protections: Apple's Approach to a More Open Ecosystem
While these changes unlock significant new commercial opportunities, Apple has been candid about the risks they introduce. Opening iOS to alternative app marketplaces and third-party payment processors creates new potential avenues for malware, fraud, scams, and broader privacy and security threats. Apple has worked closely with CADE to implement a robust set of safeguards designed to protect users — with a particularly strong emphasis on child safety.
Notarization for iOS Apps
Apple will require that all apps distributed through alternative marketplaces in Brazil undergo a Notarization process. Notarization is Apple's baseline security review, which checks apps for known malware, malicious code, and other clear violations of platform integrity. While it is less comprehensive than the full App Store Review process, Notarization provides a critical security layer that helps ensure apps meet minimum safety standards before reaching users' devices.
Authorization Process for App Marketplaces
Not just anyone will be able to launch an alternative app marketplace in Brazil overnight. Apple is introducing a formal authorization process that marketplace operators must complete. This vetting process is intended to ensure that only legitimate, accountable entities can operate app distribution platforms on iOS, reducing the risk of rogue or fraudulent marketplaces appearing in the market.
Child Safety Requirements
One of the most important pillars of Apple's protective framework is its focus on child safety. New requirements will be in place to help protect children from exposure to inappropriate content and from falling victim to scams via alternative app channels. Given that younger users are among the most vulnerable in any digital ecosystem, Apple's decision to prioritize child safety protections in this agreement reflects the serious responsibilities that come with a more open platform.
What Developers Need to Do Before July 6, 2026
There is an important action item for all developers currently enrolled in the Apple Developer Program. By July 6, 2026, every active member will need to agree to the latest update of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement (DPLA). This updated agreement includes the new terms that govern the use of these expanded options specifically within Brazil.
Failing to accept the updated DPLA by the deadline could impact a developer's ability to distribute apps in Brazil or access the new capabilities being introduced. Developers are strongly encouraged to review the updated terms carefully and consult Apple's official documentation to understand how these changes affect their specific use cases and business models.
How to Learn More and Get Support
Apple has made resources available for developers who want to understand these changes in greater depth. Detailed documentation about app distribution in Brazil is available on the Apple Developer website, covering technical requirements, marketplace authorization steps, and Notarization guidelines. Additionally, Apple is offering 30-minute online appointments for developers who have specific questions about how these changes apply to their apps or businesses — a valuable resource given the complexity of navigating a newly restructured distribution landscape.
The Bigger Picture: iOS Openness in a Global Regulatory Context
Brazil's changes are part of a broader global trend. Regulators across the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and now Brazil have all taken steps to require greater openness from dominant app platform operators. For Apple, adapting to these regional requirements while maintaining the security and user experience that defines its brand is an ongoing challenge.
For developers and businesses operating in Brazil, this is a moment of genuine opportunity. The ability to distribute apps outside of the App Store, process payments without Apple's commission structure, and reach Brazilian consumers through new marketplace channels could meaningfully change the economics of building software for this market. At the same time, navigating the new compliance requirements — from Notarization to DPLA updates — will demand attention and preparation.
As iOS 26.5 approaches, now is the time to begin planning how your app strategy in Brazil may need to evolve to take advantage of these new freedoms while staying fully compliant with Apple's updated policies and Brazilian regulatory standards.