Brazil gives Apple 90 days to enable third-party app stores on iOS

Apple has been forced to enable sideloading for iPhone users in Brazil within the next three months or face daily fines for non-compliance.

On Wednesday, Judge Pablo Zuniga of the Brazilian federal court ordered Apple to allow third-party app marketplaces in the country within the next 90 days. If the company fails to adhere to the court's order, it could face a fine of more than $40,000 per day.

The judge said the iPhone maker "has already complied with similar obligations in other countries, without demonstrating a significant impact or irreparable damage to its business model."

The European Union similarly forced Apple to comply with its Digital Markets Act in 2024. With the introduction of iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 18, Apple enabled sideloading for iPhone and iPad users within the EU.

Now, Brazil wants Apple to do the same. As spotted by 9to5mac, and originally reported by the Brazilian publication Valor Economico, Judge Zuniga explained that the "limitations" Apple has imposed on developers could prevent future competitors from entering the market.

Watch the Latest from AppleInsider TV

In a response to the Brazilian publication, an Apple spokesperson said that the company "believes in vibrant and competitive markets," adding that the iPhone maker "faces competition in all segments and jurisdictions" where it operates.

The original antitrust complaint was filed against Apple in 2022 by Brazilian regulator Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Economica, or CADE. After an investigation and a bad ruling for Apple, an unreasonable implementation timeline was proposed and quickly overturned. More recently, in February 2025, the regulator held a public hearing on the issue.

Apple plans to fight the ruling of the Brazilian federal court, saying that the proposed changes would outright harm the privacy and security of iPhone and iPad users. The entire process could continue for months, and the outcome remains to be seen, but there is a decent chance Apple could be forced into compliance in one way or another.

16 Comments

jfreedle2 2 Years · 23 comments

About 1 month ago

Side loading is moronic and stupid, and only an idiot would suggest it. I feel sorry that some idiot is attempting to “require” it.

7 Likes · 7 Dislikes

CheeseFreeze 8 Years · 1385 comments

About 1 month ago

jfreedle2 said:

Side loading is moronic and stupid, and only an idiot would suggest it. I feel sorry that some idiot is attempting to “require” it.

I guess I’m that “stupid guy”, and with me all EU citizens. And you know what? The experience has been amazing so far.

6 Likes · 7 Dislikes

phillyfanatic09 10 Years · 40 comments

About 1 month ago

“CheeseFreeze said:

jfreedle2 said:

Side loading is moronic and stupid, and only an idiot would suggest it. I feel sorry that some idiot is attempting to “require” it.

I guess I’m that “stupid guy”, and with me all EU citizens. And you know what? The experience has been amazing so far. “

I suspect not a lot of side loading is happening in the EU or elsewhere, even Android side loading is a minor part of app usage on that platform.

In the end, side loading is about money and where that money goes - to Apple for providing and developing the platform or software developers for developing their products. Both deserve compensation. Consumers gain control but probably won’t save money and, to the extent that Apple loses money to developers and seeks new revenue streams from consumers, may pay more.

9 Likes · 0 Dislikes

avon b7 21 Years · 8214 comments

About 1 month ago

phillyfanatic09 said:

“CheeseFreeze said:

jfreedle2 said:

Side loading is moronic and stupid, and only an idiot would suggest it. I feel sorry that some idiot is attempting to “require” it.

I guess I’m that “stupid guy”, and with me all EU citizens. And you know what? The experience has been amazing so far. “

I suspect not a lot of side loading is happening in the EU or elsewhere, even Android side loading is a minor part of app usage on that platform.

In the end, side loading is about money and where that money goes - to Apple for providing and developing the platform or software developers for developing their products. Both deserve compensation. Consumers gain control but probably won’t save money and, to the extent that Apple loses money to developers and seeks new revenue streams from consumers, may pay more.

Apple is completely free to limit its platform to its own first party apps. Apple can then try to charge its customers even more for using a walled off store that has its own paid apps on top of what is included in the price of the device (because those operating costs are factored into the device price to a degree.

However, If it wants to open up its platform to outside developers then things change a lot. That is what we are seeing here. It is simply another jurisdiction applying these measures.

Apple has chosen wisely (even if it was nudged to allow third party stores in the EU and current compliance efforts might be fined) and allowed third party stores.

Now it simply has to persuade developers and users to use its store over others.