Apple has released the first beta of iOS 26.2, and it brings a big change for users in Japan. Developers testing the update found that iPhones running the beta can now install alternative app marketplaces like AltStore, PAL, and the Epic Games Store. Until now, Apple has allowed this only in the European Union to comply with the Digital Markets Act.
This update means Japanese users will soon be able to download and install apps outside the official App Store. Screenshots shared on social media show that the feature works, though some in-app purchases, such as those in Fortnite, remain region-blocked by Epic Games for now.
The change follows new rules passed by Japan’s parliament in 2024. The Mobile Software Competition Act requires Apple and Google to open their platforms to third-party app stores and payment systems. The Japan Fair Trade Commission finalized these guidelines in August 2025, and they will take effect by December 18, just when Apple is expected to release iOS 26.2 to the public.
Antitrust Pressure Builds Globally
Japan now joins the EU as one of the few regions where iPhone users can access apps through other stores. Regulators in Australia and Brazil are also considering similar rules. These efforts aim to reduce Apple’s control over how software is distributed and how payments are handled on its devices.
Apple continues to resist many of these regulations, arguing that third-party app stores could weaken user privacy and security. Still, the company is making changes in countries where local laws demand it.
Epic Games has already confirmed plans to relaunch Fortnite and its game store in Japan by the end of 2025. Once the new law takes effect, Japan will become the 29th country where Apple officially supports third-party app marketplaces.
