Apple opens iOS 26.2 in Japan to third-party app stores

What’s going on

Apple’s new iOS 26.2 update is a big deal in Japan. For the first time, iPhone users there will be able to get apps from places other than the App Store. The main topic here is iOS 26.2 Japan third-party app stores, which means Apple is finally letting people use other app stores on iPhones in Japan.

This change is happening because Japan passed a new law called the Mobile Software Competition Act, which makes big tech companies like Apple open up their platforms. It is similar to what the EU already did with its Digital Markets Act. The goal is to give people more choices and make things fairer for developers and users.

Why Japan made Apple do this

In 2024, Japan’s government decided Apple had too much control over how people get apps. The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) made rules that will start in December 2025. These rules say Apple must:

• Allow third-party app stores on iPhones
• Let developers use different payment systems instead of only Apple’s
• Stop giving Apple’s own apps special treatment in searches or settings

In short, Japan wants more competition and less control by one company.

What’s new in iOS 26.2

Apple has started testing these new changes in the iOS 26.2 beta. Developers found screenshots showing new options for third-party stores like AltStore PAL and possibly Epic Games Store.

Here’s what users can expect:

• You can install apps from approved third-party stores in Japan
• Some stores might have their own payment systems or cheaper prices
• There may still be limits. For example, certain games like Fortnite could be region-locked, or extra checks might be needed for safety

It is not as open as Android yet, but it is a big step for Apple.

How this affects iPhone users and developers

For users

You will have more choices. You can try new apps and games that were not allowed before or find deals outside the App Store. It could also mean cheaper prices because developers do not have to pay Apple’s high fees.

For developers

They get more freedom. They can build and sell apps directly without Apple taking a 30 percent cut. Small game studios and indie creators might finally bring their work to iPhones in Japan.

But there are risks

• Some stores might not be as safe as Apple’s App Store
• Updates and support could be messy if people use multiple stores
• Apple will likely keep tight security checks for anything installed outside its system

What’s next

The full rollout is expected between December 9 and 18, 2025. After that, any iPhone in Japan running iOS 26.2 or later should support third-party app stores. Developers will probably test new marketplaces before then, and we might see early launches from Epic Games or AltStore PAL.

Many experts think Japan’s model could inspire other countries in Asia to follow. If that happens, this could change how people everywhere download and pay for apps on iPhones.

The “iOS 26.2 Japan third-party app stores” update shows Apple is slowly changing how iPhones work, at least where the law demands it. For people in Japan, this means more freedom to choose where they get apps and how they pay for them. For Apple, it means learning to share its playground.

Would you trust another app store on your iPhone or would you stick with Apple’s?

Resources

• MacRumors, Times of India, iNews Zoombangla, Apple World Today, Aixpost, Center for Cybersecurity Policy, JFTC, Wolters Kluwer, Radaso, Apple Developer