Apple’s dominance over iPhone app sales is poised for further decline, as indicated by a recent tweet revealing third-party app stores in the iOS 26.2 beta in Japan. This development follows the ruling by Japan’s Fair Trade Commission in August, mandating that both Apple and Google must allow alternative app stores.
This change will make Japan the 29th nation to gain access to third-party app stores for the iPhone, with additional countries likely to follow as courts and antitrust officials keep issuing decisions.
## Third-party app stores for the iPhone
Apple is under antitrust scrutiny globally due to its near-total control over iPhone app sales. In most regions, aside from exceptional cases, developers cannot sell an iPhone app directly to users without incurring Apple’s commission.
Authorities in multiple nations have deemed this practice unlawful and have required Apple to enable third-party app stores on the iPhone.
A key development was the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandated Apple to allow third-party app stores across all 27 member states. Brazil has followed suit, Australia is expected to do so soon, with further cases still to be resolved worldwide.
Apple continues to resist in each of these situations, even advocating for the repeal of the EU’s DMA.
## Third-party app store support in Japan
Japan is yet another nation where Apple is being pressed to allow third-party app stores. Screenshots shared by developer Cizzuk indicate that support for these is now present in the iOS 26.2 beta.
The tweet states:
> iOS 26.2 Beta 1 now enables alternative app stores in Japan as well!!!!!! You can use AltStore PAL and Epic Games Store!
## 9to5Mac’s Take
I’ve maintained for years that Apple would benefit more by aligning with future legislative trends, taking proactive steps rather than persistently defending its current stance, and that it would incur minimal financial loss by doing so. While both sides have exhibited stubbornness, it’s glaringly evident that Apple cannot triumph in this scenario.
Nonetheless, the company has entrenched itself further, going so far as to have a senior Apple executive perjure themselves! It appears evident that Apple will need to be forcibly compelled to allow third-party app stores on a country-by-country basis.
