Apple updates iOS in Japan to meet new competition rules

Apple is rolling out targeted changes to its iPhone software in Japan as the country’s new competition law takes effect, marking another step in how the company adapts its tightly controlled ecosystem to local regulation.

The updates are designed to comply with the Mobile Software Competition Act, a law passed last year to open up mobile platforms to greater choice for developers and users.

Apple confirmed on Wednesday that the changes are now live in Japan through iOS 26.2, following months of coordination with Japanese regulators.

While limited to one market, the move reflects broader global pressure on large technology firms to adjust how their platforms operate.

Japan competition law explained

Japan’s Mobile Software Competition Act came into force this week with the goal of reducing barriers for app developers and encouraging competition within mobile operating systems.

Under the law, platform owners such as Apple are required to loosen controls around payments, app distribution, and default software choices.

Apple’s compliance plan directly addresses these areas, reshaping how iOS functions in Japan without fully dismantling its existing App Store structure.

The company said it worked closely with regulators while designing the changes, which focus on enabling alternatives rather than removing Apple’s own services.

The adjustments apply only to Japan and are embedded in the latest local version of iOS.

Payment and app distribution shifts

One of the most significant changes affects how developers can process payments for digital goods and services.

Japanese developers now have three options: continuing to use Apple’s in-app purchase system, integrating an alternative payment service provider within their app, or directing users to an external website to complete transactions.

App distribution rules have also been adjusted.

Developers gain more control over how they distribute apps through alternative marketplaces, rather than relying solely on Apple’s App Store.

Apple is pairing these changes with new business terms that introduce different commission rates and fees, depending on which payment and distribution options developers choose.

User choice and safety measures

For users, the updates make it easier to select a preferred browser and search engine on iOS devices in Japan.

These changes align with the law’s emphasis on consumer choice, but Apple has flagged potential trade-offs.

The company has warned that opening the platform in this way may increase exposure to malware, fraud, and scams.

To reduce these risks, Apple is applying a notarization system to all iOS apps in Japan.

This process combines automated checks with human review to assess basic functionality and security threats.

Apple has noted that this review is less comprehensive than the full App Store review and that alternative marketplaces may choose to impose their own additional standards.

The company also said it worked with regulators on safeguards for children, including limits on external website links for users under 13, after raising concerns that some changes could expose younger users to higher risks.

Global context and future updates

Japan is not the only region scrutinising Apple’s mobile platform practices.

In the European Union, the Digital Markets Act has already forced Apple to make similar adjustments, creating tension over user safety, privacy, and the future of the App Store business, which generates billions of dollars annually.

Apple has said it does not plan to extend the Japan-specific changes to other countries, arguing that its existing systems provide strong protections and opportunities for developers.

The company has also signalled that it views Japan’s regulatory approach as more balanced than the EU’s.

The Japan updates arrive alongside the beta release of iOS 26.3 this week. That version introduces additional features tied to regulatory demands, including tools that make it easier to transfer data from an iPhone to an Android device and forward notifications to third-party watches.

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