Apple Adds Brazil App Marketplace Setting in iOS 26.5 After CADE Settlement
Updated
Updated · 9to5Mac · May 18
Apple Adds Brazil App Marketplace Setting in iOS 26.5 After CADE Settlement
2 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · May 18
iOS 26.5 now shows Brazilian users a new “App Installation” menu under Settings > Apps, laying the groundwork for choosing a default marketplace beyond the App Store.
CADE required Apple to allow alternative app distribution in Brazil, and the new wording says a selected marketplace would power recommendations in Spotlight, Siri and Safari.
The setup points to a marketplace-based model rather than direct web distribution, though Apple still has not said when alternative stores will go live in Brazil.
Settlement terms would let Apple keep charging fees: 25% App Store commission, or 10% for some developers, plus 5% for Apple in-app payments and 5% on alternative app-store distribution.
With new global fees, is Apple's 'open' app market just a more complex and costly maze for developers?
How will regulators decide if Apple's new fee structures are fair competition or just a new form of monopoly control?
Brazil’s CADE Mandate Transforms iOS: Third-Party App Stores, Alternative Payments, and Global Implications (2025–2026)
Overview
In May 2026, Brazil’s iOS ecosystem is set for a major transformation as users gain the ability to install apps from outside Apple’s official App Store, thanks to regulatory demands from the CADE settlement. This change, supported by the iOS 26.5 update, brings greater flexibility for Brazilian iPhone and iPad users. Now, users can access alternative app marketplaces, enjoy a more diverse app landscape, and benefit from new apps, different pricing models, and a wider range of services. The settlement also introduces alternative payment methods, giving users more choices and enhancing their autonomy within the iOS ecosystem.