iOS 26.2 to Allow Third-Party App Stores in Japan Ahead of Regulatory Deadline

Apple connected Tuesday released the archetypal beta of iOS 26.2 to developers, and it appears that the bundle volition let users successful Japan to instal alternate app marketplaces connected their devices erstwhile it is released to the nationalist successful December.


According to a post shared connected X by @Tzzlala, iPhones moving the beta successful Japan are capable to instal alternate app stores similar AltStore PAL and Epic Games, and download apps from them, though Fortnite in-app purchases are presently region-blocked by Epic.

Apple lone lets iPhone and iPad users based successful the EU to instal apps utilizing alternate app marketplaces successful summation to the App Store. The quality was introduced successful iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 18 successful bid to comply with the Digital Markets Act, and Apple does not presently let it successful immoderate regions extracurricular the 27-member bloc. However, that's acceptable to change.

In June 2024, the Japanese parliament approved and enacted authorities that requires Apple to let third-party app stores and outgo providers connected the iPhone. The instrumentality seeks to curb the dominance of large tech firms similar Apple successful the smartphone market.

More recently, successful August 2025, the Japan Fair Trade Commission established the Mobile Software Competition Act Guidelines. Under the caller guidelines, level operators similar Apple and Google are banned from blocking oregon restricting the availability of alternate app stores and outgo systems connected their mobile operating systems.


The guidelines are acceptable to travel into effect by December 18, 2025, portion Apple is expected to merchandise iOS 26.2 successful December, sometime betwixt December 9 and December 16. Epic Games has already announced plans to bring Fortnite and its crippled store level to iOS successful Japan by precocious 2025.
This article, "iOS 26.2 to Allow Third-Party App Stores successful Japan Ahead of Regulatory Deadline" archetypal appeared connected MacRumors.com

Discuss this article successful our forums