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Apple is opening up its previously strictly closed app ecosystem a little further. With iOS 26.2, the company is paving the way for third-party app stores on the iPhone – and doing so in Japan, of all places, even before a new anti-competitive law officially comes into effect there. This decision shows that Apple is increasingly responding to regulatory changes with adaptation rather than resistance.
The first beta version of iOS 26.2 has been available to developers since Tuesday. Initial tests indicate that the software allows users in Japan to install alternative app marketplaces on their devices. When the update is released to everyone in December, iPhones in Japan will be able to obtain apps from sources other than the official App Store for the first time. This is Apple's response to new legal requirements in Japan aimed at opening up the mobile software market.
Third-party app stores in Japan with iOS 26.2
According to a post by user @Tzzlala on X (formerly Twitter), devices running the iOS 26.2 beta in Japan can already install alternative app stores like AltStore PAL or the Epic Games Store. Apps can be downloaded through these stores, although some features—such as in-app purchases for Fortnite—are still restricted. Epic currently has region-locked purchases, but the technical infrastructure for operating alternative app stores appears to be in place.
Currently, Apple only allows iPhone and iPad users in the European Union to access alternative app marketplaces. This option was introduced with iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 18 to comply with the requirements of the European Digital Markets Act (DMA). In other regions, installing apps from outside the App Store has remained prohibited.
This will change for the first time with iOS 26.2. Apple is now also testing the feature in Japan, where similar legal regulations will soon apply.
Japan's new law for more competition
In June 2024, the Japanese parliament passed a law aimed at limiting the dominance of large technology companies in the smartphone market. It requires platform operators like Apple and Google to provide access to alternative app stores and payment services. The goal is to strengthen competition and give developers more freedom in distributing and monetizing their apps.
In August 2025, the official guidelines of the Japanese Competition and Consumer Commission (GCCC) were published. These guidelines specify the law on competition in mobile software. They explicitly prohibit platforms from restricting or blocking the availability of competing app stores or alternative payment systems.
The guidelines will take effect on December 18, 2025. Apple is expected to release iOS 26.2 in December, between December 9 and 16 – just a few days before the law comes into force. This allows the company to meet the legal requirements early and signals its willingness to cooperate with the authorities.
Epic Games returns to iOS
A key player in this context is Epic Games. The company has announced plans to bring its gaming platform and the game Fortnite back to iOS in Japan by the end of 2025. The Epic Games Store could therefore become one of the first alternative app marketplaces officially offered under iOS 26.2.
Epic already took a similar step in the EU after Apple was forced to open its platform there by the Digital Markets Act. The plans for Japan show that Epic is strategically using the new regulations to expand its presence on iOS again.
Apple responds to growing regulatory pressure
The decision to enable third-party app stores in Japan with iOS 26.2 is part of a larger trend. Apple is facing increasing pressure worldwide from regulators who criticize the company's closed app ecosystem as anti-competitive. The move in Japan follows a pattern already seen in the EU: when new laws threaten, Apple opens up its system to a limited extent – but in time to avoid penalties or legal disputes.
Japan is not an isolated case. Similar regulations, which could obligate platform operators to be more open, are also being discussed in South Korea, the US, and Australia. iOS 26.2 could therefore serve as a test case for other markets where Apple needs to adapt its guidelines.
A turning point: iOS 26.2 changes Apple's platform policy
iOS 26.2 represents a clear shift in Apple's strategy. For the first time since the introduction of alternative app stores in the EU, the feature is being extended to a region outside Europe. Japan thus gains early access to a more open app system that offers developers and users greater freedom.
The update is more than just a technical innovation – it marks the beginning of a gradual opening of iOS worldwide. While Apple still wants to maintain control over quality and security, iOS 26.2 shows that the company takes political pressure seriously and is ready to adapt to new market conditions.
With the planned December release, Apple is preempting the Japanese authorities. The company is thus creating a fait accompli before the new law even takes effect – a pragmatic move that minimizes both legal risks and image problems. (Image: Shutterstock / Tada Images)
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