According to 9to5Mac, just hours after Apple announced sweeping App Store changes for Japan on March 12th, 2025, to comply with the country’s Mobile Software Competition Act (MASCA), the AltStore PAL app was confirmed available. The changes allow developers to distribute apps through alternative marketplaces and use payment systems beyond Apple’s In-App Purchase. AltStore, celebrating its first international expansion since its 2024 EU launch, is offering all AltStore PAL users in Japan a free month of Patreon access, which includes patron-exclusive features. Patreon plans for the service range from $3 to $10 per month. To install it, users must be physically in Japan, signed into a Japanese App Store account, using Safari on a device running iOS 18.0 or later.
Apple Blinks First in Japan
Here’s the thing: this isn’t a voluntary move by Apple. It’s a direct response to legislation, specifically Japan’s Mobile Software Competition Act. The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) forced Apple’s hand in Europe, and now Japan is following a similar, if not identical, playbook. The key concessions? Alternative app marketplaces and, maybe more importantly, alternative payment processors. That’s the real financial pressure point for developers tired of Apple’s 15-30% cut. But don’t think Apple is just rolling over. They’re keeping their Notarization review process for all apps—a “safety” gatekeeper role—and they’ve introduced a whole new maze of fees, including a “Core Technology Fee.” So, the walled garden gets a new gate, but Apple’s still collecting tolls.
Why AltStore Was First in Line
It’s no surprise that AltStore was the first alternative store ready to go. They’ve been the poster child for sideloading advocacy and had their EU launch machinery already warmed up. Their announcement on Mastodon was practically instantaneous. The free month of Patreon access is a clever move, too. It gets users hooked on the exclusive icons and Discord community, making that $3/month fee seem like a no-brainer later. It shows they’re thinking about sustainability beyond just being the “not Apple” option. But let’s be real: the real test isn’t whether a few tech enthusiasts will use it. It’s whether major app developers, the ones with the resources, will bother with the hassle of distributing through a separate storefront for one country.
The Install Hurdle Is Still Real
Look at the installation steps. You must be physically located in Japan. You need a Japanese App Store account. iOS 18.0 or later. Safari only. This isn’t a simple one-click affair. Apple has complied with the law’s letter but is making sure the experience isn’t seamless. They’re banking on friction keeping the majority of users safely within the curated confines of the main App Store. For the average person, is jumping through these hoops worth it to maybe save a few yen on a Fortnite skin? Probably not. But for power users and developers who have been chafing under Apple’s rules, this is a crack in the dam. And once there’s a crack, the pressure only builds.
What This Really Means
So, what’s the big picture? Japan is now the second major market, after the EU, to legally force Apple’s ecosystem open. It creates a confusing patchwork of rules for global developers. More importantly, it signals to other governments that this kind of legislation works. Will the US be next? The momentum is certainly building. For now, AltStore’s launch is a symbolic victory. It proves the model can work outside Europe. But the ecosystem of alternative apps in Japan is starting from zero. It’ll be a slow burn, not a revolution—at least until a truly must-have app decides to ditch the App Store exclusively. Keep an eye on 9to5Mac and others for how this develops; the real story is just beginning.
