Oh true competition. Nice.
It would be amazing knowing if as a tourist one can have access to a different browser in iPhone or sideload crazy apps that block ads without questioning.
this post was submitted on 22 Dec 2025
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Through gritted teeth, Apple and Google allow alternative app stores in Japan
(www.theregister.com)
If it’s anything like the EU setup, it’s based off of where your iCloud account is based out of. At least I think that was what it was last time I went looking.
Nope, Apple is way more anal than that.
You need to have an iCloud account registered in the EU/Japan, AND be physically located in EU/Japan.
Changing the iCloud account region requires you to contact Apple, surrendering all of your current account balance, and providing them with an EU/Japan billing method + address. Users have also reported mixed results with VPNs in getting around the physical location requirement.
About alternative app distribution - Apple Support - https://support.apple.com/en-us/118110
Hell, no. If there were "true competition," Apple would sell out and move to a new industry entirely.
This needs to be the standard. I don't understand how we ever allowed it in the first place, really.
Phones were already restricted by what could be installed on them prior to smart devices entering the scene.
Given how powerful the hardware is, it should have eased up long ago. They've over played their hand and are still unable to acknowledge it.
because of the cut in digital sales theyd get. phone companies are the current front, but its going to get extremely messy when the front gets for example, put into the console gaming front. its all for money for software they did not develop and prevent that money from going to any other payment processor.
for example on the PS5 front, sony makes more than 50% of their revenue on live service games. none that they actually own themselves. Apple, and to a lesser extent, Google, apply that for ALL software, and gain additional money from developer subscriptions. It's the same fear Valve had back when Microsoft was pushing for the Microsoft Store to become the defacto storefront for personal computers. that push however failed miserably.
Money.
I like money.
Now we just need these laws worldwide.
Watch Mark Carney pretend like “it’s too hard for these 2 small businesses trying to make ends meet”
How can I simulate being in Japan?
Get yourself some universal health care, good roads, affordable small cars, and cheap, beautiful old houses in the countryside.
You forgot about the amazing public transport. Fast long distance trains, tiny local trains, towns with random monorails. It’s amazing.
Watch anime
Play a Pokémon game
Eeek.
Can I try something else?
Sorry that’s the only way. I don’t make the rules.
Technically only the first four generations are set in "Japan".
The ones after them are set in fantasy New York, France, Hawaii, Great Britain, and Spain.
other places: they can, but they won't
I don't want a device that requires the manufacturer to allow me to use it.
Unfortunately that's every device
This might be wishful thinking but could this lead to Nintendo and other console manufacturers having to open up their ecosystem and allow third party stores?
So what alternative apps stores are there? Is there any other app store for Android that lets developers charge users for the app? Samsung's Galaxy Store I guess? Anything for iPhone?
I've never found this to be an issue as a Pixel user who never buys IAPs in Japan (or much of the PlayStore, honestly). But it's cool that I can pick different payment options. Does this mean iPhone users can basically install whatever app they want or do apps still need to be approved by Apple or something?
same I only need two apps outside F-Droid (ProtonMail + Whatsapp) and even those two apps are available as apk in their official wbsites
Where can I get a list of such app stores?
For Android, F-Droid provides only open source apps. It also has a section for downloading other stores.
Can I do this in the US if I use a proxy? My guess is no.
With a Japanese Apple ID and probally GPS spoofing too, sure.