Trending Now - Russia Tightens Grip on Apple by Halting App Store Payments

WHO:

MacRumors - Apple Inc.

Engadget - Russian government officials, state-aligned Russian news outlet RBC

WHAT:

MacRumors - Apple has halted new purchases, in-app purchases, and subscription renewals in Russia unless users have funds in their Apple Account balance.

Engadget - As of April 1, 2026, payment processing for purchases made on the App Store or other Apple Media Services in Russia is no longer available.

Engadget - The change affects all Apple services, but iCloud+ subscribers' data will remain accessible after their subscriptions end.

WHERE:

MacRumors - Russia

Engadget - Russia

WHEN:

Engadget - The payment processing change took effect on April 1, 2026.

Engadget - By mid-January 2026, Russia had reportedly blocked 70 percent more VPN apps than late 2025.

WHY:

Engadget - The Russian government stated the action was to prevent users from paying for VPN apps.

Engadget - The crackdown on online information and speech is part of Russia's efforts to shore up domestic support amid the ongoing war with Ukraine.

HOW:

Engadget - Russia closed a loophole that allowed citizens to pay for Apple digital services.

(UPDATED April 2, 2026 23:12 UTC)

Apple has halted all new purchases, in-app purchases, and subscription renewals in Russia, effective on Wednesday, unless users have funds in their Apple Account balance. This change affects all Apple services, although iCloud+ subscribers will still have access to their data after their subscriptions end. The Russian government implemented this measure to close a loophole that allowed citizens to pay for Apple digital services, as part of a broader crackdown on online information and speech amid the ongoing war with Ukraine.