Apple Opens Up iPhone to Alternative App Stores and Browser Engines in Japan

Apple has announced a broad set of changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in Japan as it moves to comply with the country's new Mobile Software Competition Act. The updates, which are available to developers starting today following the release of iOS 26.2, introduce new options for app distribution and payments while adding safeguards intended to address privacy and security risks created by the law.


Under the new framework, developers in Japan can distribute iOS apps through authorized alternative marketplaces in addition to the App Store. Apple cautions, however, that apps downloaded outside the App Store will not benefit from its full App Review process. To mitigate some of the resulting risks, Apple is requiring all iOS apps to pass a baseline security check known as Notarization. This review combines automated scans with human evaluation to verify basic functionality and screen for known malware, though it does not enforce the broader content standards applied to App Store apps.

Apple is also updating its business terms to reflect the new distribution and payment options. Developers offering apps on the App Store will see commissions reduced to either 10 percent or 21 percent, depending on eligibility. A separate 5 percent fee applies for payment processing if they continue using Apple's system. For apps that link out to the web for transactions, Apple will charge a "Store services commission" of 10 or 15 percent. Apps distributed entirely outside the App Store will be subject to a "Core Technology Commission" of 5 percent on digital goods and services.

The changes extend to system-level defaults as well. Users in Japan will now see choice screens for selecting their preferred browser and search engine, with the ability to revisit these settings at any time. Apple is also allowing browser developers to use alternative browser engines beyond WebKit, provided they meet defined privacy and security requirements. Additional controls let users manage default navigation apps and app marketplaces directly from Settings.

The update also formalizes functionality previously spotted during testing. Developers of voice-based conversational apps can now request access to the iPhone's side button, enabling users to replace Siri with a third-party assistant for quick activation, as first noted in earlier beta reports. Apple has also established a formal process for developers to request interoperability with core iOS technologies.

To address concerns around children's online safety, Apple is enforcing additional restrictions on alternative payments and external links. Apps in the Kids category are prohibited from linking to websites for transactions. For users under 13, external payment links are disabled entirely, while users under 18 must pass through a parental gate requiring approval before completing purchases outside Apple's system. Apple says these measures are designed to reduce exposure to scams, inappropriate content, and fraud.


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