Big techApple will allow third-party app stores and payment processing in BrazilThe company reached an agreement with the country's regulators after a yearslong investigation.Andre RevillaContributing ReporterUpdatedFri, December 26, 2025 at 1:51 PM UTCBrazilian regulators have reached a settlement with Apple after a yearslong investigation into the company's App Store fee practices as well as its policies against third-party app stores.As first reported by Brazilian tech site , the nation's Administrative Council of Economic Defense (CADE) said it has accepted Apple's proposed agreement that will address claims of anticompetitive practices.The agreement will allow for third-party payment processing methods for in-app purchases and reins in Apple's anti-steering efforts by allowing links to external websites for transactions.The settlement requires that these payment options be shown next to Apple's own.
Apple must also allow third-party app stores to be installed on its devices, though the company is allowed to display warnings to users if they are written in a neutral and objective way.A new fee structure has also been agreed to, with Apple applying no fee if users are directed to outside payment methods in a text-only way.The use of a clickable link or button for an external payment option will incur a 15 percent fee.Purchases made within Apple's App Store will still be subject to a 10 percent or 20 percent commission.
Developers using Apple’s payment system would also be subject to a 5 percent transaction fee.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdditionally a 5 percent "Core Technology Fee" would be levied against all app downloads from third-party app stores.This new structure bears similarities to policy and fee changes made after the EU passed its Digital Markets Act, with Apple allowing third-party app stores and external purchases subject to varying fees.Apple will have 105 days to comply under the new agreement and could face fines of up to $27 million for failure to implement the changes.The iPhone maker has been facing mounting pressure from regulators worldwide over its anti-steering practices and was recently handed a $587 million fine by the EU for violating its Digital Markets Act.
Apple is appealing the fine.In the US, Apple has been embroiled in a court battle with maker Epic Games over commissions on purchases that take place on third-party payment platforms.
