The Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) has officially approved a settlement with Apple to open up the iOS ecosystem. The agreement, finalized on December 23, 2025, marks the end of a three-year antitrust investigation into Apple’s alleged anti-competitive practices. This shift aligns Brazil with other major regions like the European Union, signaling a major change in how iPhone users will interact with apps and payments moving forward.
The investigation originally began in late 2022 following a complaint by Mercado Libre, which accused Apple of abusing its dominant market position. The core issues involved Apple’s mandatory use of its In-App Purchase system and “anti-steering” clauses that prevented developers from mentioning cheaper payment options. With this new settlement Apple has agreed to dismantle many of these long-standing restrictions to foster a more competitive digital environment.
One of the most significant changes is that Apple will now allow alternative app distribution channels, or third-party app stores, on iOS in Brazil. This means developers can bypass the official App Store entirely to reach their customers. While Apple has historically resisted this “sideloading” due to security concerns, the agreement requires the company to facilitate these alternative stores while maintaining objective and neutral safety warnings that do not hinder the user experience.
Developers can now offer third-party payment processors directly alongside Apple’s own system, giving users more choice at checkout. Furthermore, apps are now permitted to include clickable links and buttons that direct users to external websites to complete purchases.
To maintain its revenue stream, Apple is introducing a new fee structure specific to the Brazilian market. Standard App Store purchases will remain subject to a 25% commission (or 10% for smaller developers), but new categories have been created. For instance, developers who use a clickable link to an external website will pay a 15% fee, while those who use a text-only mention of external offers will pay nothing. Third-party app stores will be subject to a 5% “Technology Commission” to account for the use of Apple’s proprietary software.
Apple has 105 days to implement these changes. If it fails to comply with the terms, it faces a substantial fine of up to 150 million reais ($27 million) and a potential reopening of the legal investigation.
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