AltStore PAL is now live in Japan, launching just one day after Apple officially enabled alternative app marketplaces under the country’s new Mobile Software Competition Act.
The fast turnaround highlights how quickly third-party platforms are moving to take advantage of Apple’s latest policy shift.
How AltStore Works in Japan
iPhone and iPad users in Japan can download AltStore PAL directly from the AltStore website. Once installed, it allows apps to be downloaded outside of Apple’s App Store.
To use AltStore PAL, users must meet a few requirements:
- Be physically located in Japan
- Have a Japanese App Store account
- Run iOS or iPadOS 26.2 or later
AltStore developer Riley Testut says Apple did not give developers advance notice of the rule changes. Still, because AltStore PAL has been operating in the European Union for months, the team was able to launch in Japan within hours.
What Apps Are Available
AltStore PAL focuses on apps from independent developers, including software that cannot be distributed through Apple’s App Store.
Key highlights include:
- Delta, the popular game emulator
- Apps with features restricted by App Store rules
- Monetization through Patreon instead of Apple In-App Purchase
AltStore itself is free to download. To celebrate the Japanese launch, users can get one month of free Patreon access, which unlocks beta builds and patron-exclusive features.
Apple’s Role and Restrictions
Apple is allowing alternative app marketplaces in Japan to comply with the MSCA, which came into effect on December 18.
There are still guardrails in place:
- Marketplaces must be authorized by Apple
- Apps must pass Apple’s notarization process
- Notarization checks for malware and basic functionality
However, apps distributed through alternative marketplaces are not subject to Apple’s full content review, giving developers more freedom.
Marketplace operators are also required to pay Apple a five percent Core Technology Commission on digital goods and services sold through their platforms.
The Bigger Picture
AltStore’s rapid launch shows how quickly the iOS ecosystem is changing in regions with stronger competition laws. While Apple still controls platform security, developers now have more flexibility in how apps are distributed and monetized in Japan.
Whether this model expands further remains to be seen, but the walls around the App Store are clearly starting to shift.
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