Apple has rolled out major App Store and iOS changes in Japan to comply with the Mobile Software Competition Act, or MSCA. If you use an iPhone in Japan or build apps for the region, these updates directly affect how you download apps, pay for digital content, and choose default services.
The law takes effect on December 18, but Apple has already started enforcing the changes through iOS 26.2. The Japanese App Store now works more like the version in the European Union, with a few key differences designed to keep tighter security controls in place.
In a new post on Apple Newsroom, Apple said the MSCA “opens new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, and privacy and security risks,” while arguing that the Japanese law strikes a better balance between competition and user protection than Europe’s DMA.
New ways to pay for apps and subscriptions
If you buy digital content in apps, you now see more payment options.
Developers in Japan can:
- Keep using Apple In-App Purchase
- Offer third-party payment processors inside the app
- Send you to a website to complete a purchase
There is one important rule. If an app offers alternative payments, it must also show Apple’s in-app purchase option at the same time. Apple requires the in-app purchase button to be just as visible as other options.
When you choose a third-party payment or web link, iOS clearly tells you that you are no longer transacting with Apple. Refunds, subscription management, and Apple support will not apply to those purchases.
Alternative app marketplaces arrive
You are no longer limited to the App Store in Japan.
Developers can now distribute apps through alternative app marketplaces, and you can even set one as your default marketplace instead of the App Store. Apple still requires all apps to go through a baseline Notarization review that checks for malware, major security risks, and basic functionality.
Unlike the EU, Japan does not allow direct app downloads from websites. Apple says this helps reduce security risks while still meeting the law’s requirements.
Marketplace operators must handle:
- Content rules
- Fraud prevention
- Customer support
- Refunds
Apple does not oversee marketplace content, but it does require ongoing authorization.
New fee structure explained simply
Apple has introduced a new fee system tied to how apps are distributed and how payments are processed. According to Apple, fees stay the same or drop for all developers in Japan.
Here is the simplified breakdown:
- App Store with Apple In-App Purchase: 15 to 26 percent total
- App Store with alternative payments: 10 to 21 percent
- App Store with web purchase links: 10 to 15 percent
- Alternative app marketplaces: 5 percent Core Technology Commission
Apple collects no payment processing fee on third-party payments, but developers still pay their payment provider separately.
Side Button can launch other assistants
If you use voice apps, this change stands out.
You can now assign the iPhone’s side button to launch a third-party voice-based conversational app instead of Siri. Apple created a new API for this feature, and apps like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini qualify if conversation is their main function.
The behavior works much like the Action Button using Shortcuts.
More choice during iPhone setup
When you set up a new iPhone in Japan, you now choose more defaults.
You can:
- Pick a default browser
- Pick a default search engine
- Set a default navigation app
- Choose a default app marketplace
Safari and Google Search are no longer automatic defaults. You can change these settings later in the Settings app.
Apple also allows browser developers to use engines other than WebKit, as long as they meet strict privacy and security rules.
Stronger child protections stay in place
Apple kept tighter guardrails for younger users.
Key rules include:
- Kids category apps cannot link to websites for purchases
- Users under 13 cannot see web purchase links
- Users under 18 must pass a parental gate before using alternative payments
- All apps must show clear age ratings during installation
Apple said it worked closely with regulators to preserve these protections, pointing out that similar laws in Europe allowed apps that were previously blocked on iOS.
Interoperability comes with limits
Like the EU law, Japan’s MSCA lets developers request deeper access to iOS features. Apple can still deny requests that threaten user privacy or security.
Apple says this flexibility reduces the risk of delayed or canceled features, something that has already happened in Europe under the DMA.
Availability
All changes are live now as part of iOS 26.2, which Apple released on December 12. Developers in Japan can ship updated apps immediately, and the new rules apply only to iOS apps distributed in Japan.
If you use an iPhone in Japan, these updates give you more choices. If you develop apps, the updates force new decisions about payments, distribution, and fees. Either way, the App Store in Japan has entered a new phase.
