Japanese iPhone users are now one step closer to gaining access to alternative app marketplaces, as Apple’s first iOS 26.2 developer beta officially enables the installation of third-party app stores.
The move comes ahead of Japan’s new Smartphone Act, which will be enforced by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) starting this December. The law compels Apple to open up its software ecosystem, and the company appears to be testing the necessary changes before the regulations take effect.
According to social media posts on X by user @Tzzlala, later reported by MacRumors, the iOS 26.2 beta 1 now allows users in Japan to install alternative app stores — including AltStore PAL and the Epic Games Store.
It makes sense that Apple is trialing these features through its developer beta program, as it must ensure proper functionality before the public rollout. Given the early stage of iOS 26.2 testing, the timing suggests Apple is preparing for a December 2025 public release that aligns with the law’s implementation.
This update will allow Japanese consumers to download and install apps from sources outside of Apple’s App Store for the first time. Japan will thus join a growing list of regions — including all 27 European Union member states — that legally require such app distribution freedom.
The Smartphone Act will come into full effect on December 18, 2025, marking a significant shift in Japan’s approach to digital market competition.
A Wave of Regulatory Changes
Inspired by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Japan’s government signaled in 2023 its intent to push for similar pro-competition reforms targeting major tech firms.
By 2024, the proposed bill had entered parliamentary debate, and by July 2025, the Japan Fair Trade Commission finalized a legal framework outlining Apple and Google’s new obligations.
The requirements include:
- Enabling third-party app stores to operate on iPhones.
- Allowing alternative payment systems for iOS app transactions.
- Prohibiting Apple from favoring its own apps and services in the App Store.
- Granting users the ability to select default apps for core functions on their devices.
Additionally, the rules prevent Apple and Google from using or benefiting from any user data that would not otherwise be shared with third-party developers.
The legislation also addresses broader access rights, covering operating system features and hardware controls — from microphones, speakers, and biometric authentication to location tracking and data communication functions.
