Apple and Google have agreed to make their mobile app stores fairer and more transparent to thousands of developers, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The CMA described the move as an key first step in its more stringent regulatory system.
The regulator designated the two tech giants as having a “strategic market position” in the smartphone market last October, granting it the authority to demand specific changes to boost competition.
Virtually all smartphones in the UK operate on Apple’s “iOS” or Google’s “Android” systems, and their respective app stores and browsers hold exclusive or dominant positions on those platforms. This market control has drawn increased scrutiny from regulators globally.
Under the new commitments, the companies will review apps in a fair, objective, and transparent manner, according to the CMA. The decision underscores the growing pressure on big tech to address concerns about anti-competitive practices.
Developers will also be able to request access to more features within Apple’s “iOS” ecosystem to create competing products, such as those related to digital wallets or live translation. This increased access could foster innovation and provide consumers with more choices.
The CMA previously stated that this dominance allows the companies to exert significant influence over content, services, and technological developments.
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Apple stated that it faces “fierce competition in every market we operate in, and we function tirelessly to innovate the best products and services and deliver the best experience for our users.”
The company added, “The commitments announced today allow Apple to continue developing important innovations in privacy and security for users and fantastic opportunities for developers.”
Google said that while it believes its current practices toward developers are fair, objective, and transparent, it welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the CMA to address its concerns.
