Apple of contention: The State Duma ordered Apple to install RuStore on devices

State Duma deputies have ordered the American corporation Apple to install the unified Russian RuStore app store on their devices when selling in Russia. About what will change for the owners of the equipment and how this may affect Apple, see the Izvestia article.

Why did the State Duma forbid Apple to prevent the installation of RuStore

Deputies of the State Duma in the second and third readings adopted a law that, from September 1, 2025, will prohibit Apple and other manufacturers of technically complex products from restricting the installation and use of the Russian RuStore app store on smartphones and tablets sold in Russia.

The law obliges devices to provide the ability to install, update, and pay for applications through RuStore, and also prohibits blocking programs from third-party sources and imposing restrictions on payment methods and pricing policies. These measures are aimed at combating the anti-competitive practices of foreign companies, primarily Apple and Google, which restrict access to domestic services.

The parliamentarians propose to make it possible to install the Russian RuStore app store on devices sold in Russia and purchase and install applications from domestic developers through it.

What will change for iPhone owners after the adoption of the law

iPhone owners in Russia will be able to install apps not only through the App Store, but also through RuStore, a single Russian app store. This will affect banking programs, messengers, games and other services developed by developers from the Russian Federation. In addition, Apple will be prohibited from limiting the functionality of such applications or blocking payment transactions within them.

Some applications are already installed in gadgets by default. Therefore, as Alexey Govyrin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, explained to reporters, the new law is aimed at ensuring that no one can restrict the operation of these programs or prevent them from installing others through the Russian RuStore store. Not only applications are affected, but also their functioning, namely: updates, user interaction, available settings, and allowed payment methods.

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Numerous trials and deception of buyers led to a decrease in demand for gadgets and forced sales.

If the device blocks the operation of applications from RuStore or interferes with their use, this will be considered a defect in the product, giving the right to a replacement, repair or refund. Thus, the law removes hidden barriers for Russian applications on foreign gadgets sold in Russia, Govyrin pointed out.

Where is RuStore available now?

According to data at the end of 2024, RuStore surpassed the App Store audience in Russia in terms of the number of users — the store was installed on 80 million devices.

Currently, RuStore is available on all Android devices, while iPhone users are prevented from doing so due to Apple's policy.

The new law aims to eliminate this disparity and ensure the same conditions for all users, regardless of the platform. At the same time, the law does not provide for a ban on the sale of iPhones in Russia — its purpose is to create fair competition, not to limit consumer choice.

At the same time, Anton Gorelkin, first Deputy chairman of the IT Committee of the State Duma and Chairman of the Management Board of ROCIT, expressed confidence that Apple would comply with the requirements of the new law on pre-installing the Russian RuStore app store on its devices. According to him, the company has all the technical capabilities to integrate RuStore, as well as an obvious desire to maintain its presence in the Russian market.