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What happened to the 90-day deadline?
The deadline came from an interim measure in an antitrust case, not a permanent court order that remains in force. CADE, Brazil’s competition regulator, initially imposed a preventive measure in November 2024. After legal proceedings and an appeal, CADE’s Tribunal upheld the measure on May 14, 2025, giving Apple 90 days to comply and setting a daily fine of BRL 250,000 for noncompliance. CADE’s announcement describes that decision and deadline.
That timetable did not remain the operative framework. Apple sought settlement negotiations in July 2025, and CADE says the interim measure’s compliance deadline was suspended while they took place. On December 23, 2025, CADE approved a cease-and-desist agreement with Apple. The agreement provides for a potential penalty of up to BRL 150 million for total noncompliance. CADE’s agreement summary explains the suspension and settlement.
Apple announced on June 18, 2026 that alternative distribution would be available in Brazil beginning with iOS 26.5. That rollout is the practical result users now need to understand—not an extension of the 2025 countdown. Apple’s announcement sets out the launch.
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- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Why CADE intervened
The case began with complaints filed in December 2022 by Mercado Livre and related companies about Apple’s restrictions on app distribution, in-app payments and steering users to offers outside apps. CADE opened an administrative proceeding and imposed its preventive measure on November 25, 2024. In June 2025, its General Superintendence recommended Apple’s condemnation following its investigation; that recommendation was not itself a final finding by the Tribunal.
The dispute was broader than whether users could download apps outside the App Store. CADE addressed the distribution of digital goods and services, developers’ choice of payment processing, and rules limiting how developers could tell users about other offers. The original preventive-measure announcement describes the initial action, while CADE’s settlement-approval announcement records the later case outcome.
Rank #2
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
What the original measure required
The interim measure addressed alternative ways to distribute iOS apps and process payments, as well as restrictions on developers communicating or steering users toward third-party offers. Its wording referred to distribution mechanisms including alternative app stores and sideloading-related measures. Calling it simply an order to “allow sideloading” leaves out those payment and anti-steering issues, and suggests a broader installation freedom than Apple’s eventual system provides.
The May 2025 decision was an interim measure upheld on appeal, not a final rule requiring approval-free installation of arbitrary software. CADE’s decision document covers the appeal history and the 90-day period.
Rank #3
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
What Brazilian iPhone users can do now
With iOS 26.5 or later, users in Brazil can use alternative app distribution when an authorized marketplace and eligible app are available. This is a regulated alternative channel, not an open system for installing any unsigned app. Apple’s support guidance says users need an Apple Account set to Brazil and must be physically in Brazil to use alternative distribution.
| Expectation | What the Brazil system provides |
|---|---|
| Install any iPhone app from any website | No. Apps are distributed through authorized marketplaces and must meet applicable eligibility requirements. |
| Use an alternative marketplace | Yes, when the marketplace is authorized and the user and device meet Apple’s requirements. |
| Skip Apple’s security checks altogether | No. Apps distributed through alternative channels must be notarized by Apple. |
| Eliminate all Apple fees | No. Apple’s published Brazil terms include commissions for alternative distribution and specified alternative-payment arrangements. |
| Use the Brazil channel anywhere in the world | No. Apple requires a Brazil-set Apple Account and physical presence in Brazil; some update access can continue temporarily after leaving. |
| Keep using the App Store | Yes. Alternative distribution adds another channel; it does not require users to stop using the App Store. |
Eligibility can fail for straightforward reasons: the user is outside Brazil, the Apple Account is set to another region, the device is running an older iOS version, the marketplace lacks Apple authorization, or the app is not eligible for distribution. Apple says users can continue updating alternative-distribution apps for up to 90 days after leaving the relevant region. That travel-related update period is separate from CADE’s 90-day 2025 compliance deadline.
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- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Apple lists Brazil alongside the European Union and Japan among jurisdictions with alternative app distribution, but the Brazil arrangement does not change App Store rules worldwide. Apple’s regional-availability page identifies where the feature is available.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What notarization does—and does not—mean
Notarization is a baseline security and privacy check, not the same thing as App Store review. Apple says it checks for known malware, viruses, certain security threats and egregious fraud, and provides information used in installation sheets. It does not mean an app has passed the full App Store review process or that Apple applies every App Store content and business-practice standard to it. Apple’s Brazil developer guidance describes the distinction.
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- The large 6.9-inch display combines ProMotion 120Hz technology with advanced color calibration, giving movies, games, and productivity apps a spacious, crisp, and fluid visual experience that’s ideal for multitasking or immersive media consumption.
Alternative distribution therefore changes the risk balance rather than removing risk. Users may encounter greater exposure to scams, malware, privacy problems or unsuitable content, and some App Store features—including certain purchase controls, Family Sharing functions or Ask to Buy—may not work with alternative-distribution apps. Apple’s warnings are not proof that every such app is unsafe; they reflect that the channel has different review and support protections.
What the change means for developers and marketplace operators
Alternative distribution can give developers another route to Brazilian users and more payment flexibility, but it does not necessarily remove Apple’s involvement or costs. Apple’s published Brazil terms include a 5% Core Technology Commission for iOS apps distributed outside the App Store, including paid apps and apps offering digital goods or services. For App Store apps using alternative payment arrangements, published commissions include 10% and 15% rates in specified circumstances. The applicable rate depends on the program and transaction; developers should consult Apple’s current Brazil terms rather than treating either figure as universal.
Developers using alternative payment providers may also need to handle taxes, reporting and applicable Apple commissions. They should weigh those obligations against the cost of joining or operating a marketplace, payment processing, customer support, refunds and fraud management. For marketplace operators, Apple authorization and entitlements, website-based distribution, secure handling of notarized apps, developer onboarding, moderation, updates and user support are significant operational requirements. The available evidence does not establish how many marketplaces or apps will be available, or whether developers will move away from the App Store at scale.
How Brazil’s system differs from the EU’s
Both jurisdictions have prompted Apple to provide alternative distribution, but the legal basis is different. The EU changes arise from the Digital Markets Act; Brazil’s arise from a CADE antitrust investigation and settlement. Apple can set different eligibility rules, fees, disclosures and technical conditions in each jurisdiction. Brazil is not covered by the EU’s DMA simply because both places have alternative app marketplaces.
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