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

[Jamie0003]

Uh oh, Apple better pull out of….how many markets now?

Absolute cinema, can’t wait for everyone on here to defend Apple like their life depended on it *Grabs popcorn*

 

[Jamie0003]

Wouldn't it be easier to just allow this worldwide like google did for the play store?

But won’t somebody please think of the shareholders!

 

[Jamie0003]

Eventually we'll succeed and purge Apple's nanny rules and regulations. After all a lot of us are, in fact, adults.

Sadly, the younger generation seems to lack the ability to become adults and take responsibility for their own actions.

Maybe this is the job of the parents, not Apple?

 

[surferfb]

At least this government overreach just limits itself to the App Store. It's still bad for users, but at least it's not giving away Apple's IP like halloween candy as the EU does.

 

[turbineseaplane]

At least this government overreach just limits itself to the App Store. It's still bad for users, but at least it's not giving away Apple's IP like halloween candy as the EU does.

He's coming around!
Slowly, but I'm sensing some daylight!

 

[iPhoneFan5349]

Whatever. Still talking about this? As we have been seeing no one is crazy enough to risk leaving The Walled Garden and enter a neighborhood where all the bad guys are waiting for all your financials and everything else of yours. Yikes! The Walled Garden is one of the main reasons why 2b+ people buy iPhones in the first place! Duh!

Lol at this guy. Then give people the option, if they want to install a second store let them

 

[turbineseaplane]

Whatever. Still talking about this?

"still"?

It's a news story with a key update (below) 👇

and it appears that the software will allow users in Japan to install alternative app marketplaces on their devices when it is released to the public in December.

 

[I7guy]

[…]

In June 2024, the Japanese parliament approved and enacted legislation that requires Apple to allow third-party app stores and payment providers on the iPhone. The law seeks to curb the dominance of major tech firms like Apple in the smartphone market.

More recently, in August 2025, the Japan Fair Trade Commission established the Mobile Software Competition Act Guidelines. Under the new guidelines, platform operators like Apple and Google are banned from blocking or restricting the availability of alternative app stores and payment systems on their mobile operating systems.

Who else is a major tech firm? The word “American” was left out. The law seeks to curb the dominance of American tech firms.

I guess now it’s easy for alternative app stores and payment methods as the code base is there.

 

[DaveTheRave]

The Walled Garden is one of the main reasons why 2b+ people buy iPhones in the first place! Duh!

The average iPhone buyer doesn’t know or care about the walled garden. But for the rest of us, we want to be treated like adults and be able to install whatever we want. Just like on a MacBook. Simple concept.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Who else is a major tech firm? The word “American” was left out. The law seeks to curb the dominance of American tech firms.

I guess now it’s easy for alternative app stores and payment methods as the code base is there.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander. I'm happy to see Apple's walls cracking, as well as ours (I'm American).

 

[turbineseaplane]

The average iPhone buyer doesn’t know or care about the walled garden.

I need to remember to poke around on this over the holidays with all the normies in my life.
I strongly suspect you are correct.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

It must be cheaper at this rate to rip the bandaid off and make this possible globally. Then they could go on tour to all kinds of countries and tell regulators "Look we did the thing leave us alone now"

 

[turbineseaplane]

It must be cheaper at this rate to rip the bandaid off and make this possible globally. Then they could go on tour to all kinds of countries and tell regulators "Look we did the thing leave us alone now"

There has to be some way to comply globally and also spin the whole thing into some form of "Pro or Plus tier" they can charge more for and advertise.

I don't know what it would look like, but maybe a higher tier of iCloud+ that goes into Apple App vetting
(which they don't actually really do right now, at least not how people think they do)

Maybe Tim simply isn't creative enough, but I'm positive there is a way to make LOTS of lemonade out of the lemons here.

Fighting every jurisdiction on Earth to "never change" is not a viable plan.

 

[I7guy]

What's good for the goose is good for the gander. I'm happy to see Apple's walls cracking, as well as ours (I'm American).

i suppose over regulation is going to be a good thing. And yeah bring on the scorched earth policy.

 

[RootFayel]

Wouldn't it be easier to just allow this worldwide like google did for the play store?

My thinking as well. It’s inevitable at this point.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Lol at this guy. Then give people the option, if they want to install a second store let them

What’s funny is that, if people REALLY want to install second stores such that MORE people buy iPhones in Japan… and Apple’s marketshare rises… then how does that curb their dominance?

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Wouldn't it be easier to just allow this worldwide like google did for the play store?

Nah, Apple makes money primarily by making things and services that people want to spend money on. Google makes money by cutting deals with folks that will allow Google to pull data from them and then use that data to sell advertising to folks. If profits from Android decreases, as long as they have the data spigot running, they can still make money from Android. Apple’s not in that position.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Who else is a major tech firm? The word “American” was left out. The law seeks to curb the dominance of American tech firms.

I guess now it’s easy for alternative app stores and payment methods as the code base is there.

And, it doesn’t really curb their dominance. If the US Government threatens to force US companies to not do business with certain regions, having cool new App Stores with no phones to run them on will quickly have them recognize where they SHOULD have been focusing their efforts to curb their dominance.

 

[code-m]

Out of curiosity if Apple opens the AppStore, those wanting to stay inside the walled garden will that mean those will just give up their mobile devices or this is just overblown sentiment by them.

 

[code-m]

Lol at this guy. Then give people the option, if they want to install a second store let them

This person feels that people are purchasing Apple devices for the walled garden AppStore 🤣🤣🤣

I purchase Apple devices for its hardware quality and software integration with other Apple products, I have to find workarounds for AppStore artificial limitations because Apple chooses to be stubborn. But it’s okay I also have moved to an android tablet as it’s 1/3 the price of an iPad Air has has better specs and I need it to do some/test specific things.

As a shareholder opening the AppStore is not a concern, it also shows that Apple has to strive and innovate instead of depending on the status quo.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Out of curiosity if Apple opens the AppStore, those wanting to stay inside the walled garden will that mean those will just give up their mobile devices or this is just overblown sentiment by them.

They don't (and won't) need to do anything to the Apple App Store, just allow 3rd party App Stores and, even better, direct installs.

App "Stores" are nothing more than a unified place to find and install software.

 

[platinumaqua]

I stopped taking Apple's side on this after I read the court contempt document on the case about the anti-steering provisions. The document revealed internal communications that they were doing it out of revenue concerns and the CFO lied under oath.

Really though, no "Store" BS and just allow Mac style installs.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I stopped taking Apple's side on this after I read the court contempt document on the case about the anti-steering provisions. The document revealed internal communications that they were doing it out of revenue concerns and the CFO lied under oath.

Really though, no "Store" BS and just allow Mac style installs.

It was very revealing to see the "mask off" from internal communications.

I remain disappointed how many folks have not altered their view of Apple on this topic based upon some of that.

One should not take their public marketing and pushed talking points around all this at face value.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

And, it doesn’t really curb their dominance. If the US Government threatens to force US companies to not do business with certain regions, having cool new App Stores with no phones to run them on will quickly have them recognize where they SHOULD have been focusing their efforts to curb their dominance.

Talk about over regulation... Perhaps the US should stay in their lane and stop trying to strongarm other countries into doing it's bidding.

 

[I7guy]

I stopped taking Apple's side on this after I read the court contempt document on the case about the anti-steering provisions. The document revealed internal communications that they were doing it out of revenue concerns and the CFO lied under oath.

Really though, no "Store" BS and just allow Mac style installs.

Lying under oath has consequences. What were the consequences?

To your point I dont take governments side because of the same reasons.