Apple faces December deadline to open iPhone browser engines in Japan

Apple’s tight control over iPhone browser technology is about to face a major challenge in Japan. Under new guidelines tied to the country’s Smartphone Act, regulators have set a December deadline for Apple to lift restrictions on third-party browser engines. This means iPhone users in Japan could soon see browsers like Chrome and Firefox running on their own engines, rather than being forced to rely on Apple’s WebKit. The change aims to prevent “unreasonable technical restrictions” that have so far limited competition and innovation in mobile browsing.

Japan’s push for fair competition in iPhone browsers

The move comes after years of criticism over Apple’s strict rules, which have made it nearly impossible for developers to offer browser experiences outside of WebKit. While the European Union has already challenged these practices, Apple’s response there has been described as “malicious compliance,” leaving true alternatives off the table. Japan’s new rules directly target such tactics, ensuring that developers can use alternative engines without facing excessive costs, technical barriers, or user steering toward Apple’s own software.

What the new Smartphone Act guidelines mean for developers

The guidelines clearly prohibit Apple from creating hidden roadblocks for competing browsers. Developers will be allowed to adopt engines like Blink or Gecko without facing additional hurdles. This means app makers can innovate freely, potentially improving speed, compatibility, and features for iPhone users. By removing these restrictions, Japan is signaling that it wants a truly open mobile web, where developers and consumers—not platform owners—decide which technologies succeed.

How iPhone users could benefit from more browser choices

For iPhone owners in Japan, this could be a game-changer. More browser engines mean faster updates, improved web standards support, and unique features that Apple’s WebKit may not offer. Users may finally enjoy the same variety of browsing experiences available on Android devices, fostering real competition that benefits performance, security, and privacy. With the December deadline approaching, all eyes will be on Apple to see if it complies fully—or if Japan will have to enforce its new rules more aggressively.