No, it’s not a joke: as of April 1, iPhone users in Russia can no longer buy anything through Apple’s billing system. That means no paid apps, no in-app purchases, no Apple subscriptions – and no topping up an Apple Account balance.
Why it’s happened
Apple says the move is in response to an order from Russia’s Ministry of Digital Affairs. The Russian government’s motivations appear to be threefold: frustration that Apple has blocked Russian apps and payment systems from the App Store, a desire to stop users exploiting digital account balances to purchase foreign goods, and a crackdown on VPN apps that help users bypass state internet censorship.
Around 16 million people in Russia use an iPhone. Existing purchases remain accessible, and any subscriptions already paid will continue until they expire. Apple also says iCloud+ data will remain accessible after those subscriptions run out.
Does this affect you?
Unless you’re in Russia, then no not directly. But it’s a stark reminder that the App Store isn’t quite the single global platform it might appear to be.
Apple has been complying with regional government demands for years. In China, the company has removed hundreds of apps including VPNs, WhatsApp, Threads, and various news and LGBTQ apps. When asked about removals, Apple has said it is “obligated to follow the laws in the country where we operate, even when we disagree.”
Apple has no official presence in Iran due to US sanctions, and North Korea is subject to a total ban on Apple products under US export law. In the EU, meanwhile, Apple operates under an entirely different set of rules – the Digital Markets Act has forced it to allow third-party app stores and alternative payment systems, something iPhone users elsewhere don’t have access to.
The bigger picture
Russia’s situation has been escalating for a while. Apple stopped selling iPhones there in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. Since then, it has progressively removed VPN apps from the Russian App Store – at least 60 were delisted in 2024 alone, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Proton VPN. This latest move effectively closes the loop: Russian users can keep using their existing devices, but Apple’s commercial relationship with the country is now essentially over.