Law enacted by Putin, mandating pre-installation of RuStore on smartphones and tablets.
In a significant shift, President Putin has signed a law that requires Apple devices sold or used in Russia to support the installation, updating, and payment for applications via RuStore, the unified Russian app store. This change, effective from September 1, 2025, marks a turning point in the country's digital landscape.
The key provisions of the new law include mandatory pre-installation and functionality support for RuStore on Apple devices, with no restrictions on third-party app stores. Any device that does not comply with these requirements will be considered "defective" under Russian consumer protection law, enabling consumers to demand a proportional reduction in the purchase price.
The law covers all "technically complex goods" with pre-installed software, including smartphones and tablets. While it affects all manufacturers, Apple’s closed iOS ecosystem, which has historically imposed restrictive conditions on third-party app stores, is the primary target.
Retailers and manufacturers risk penalties and consumer claims if they fail to comply. However, implementing RuStore on Apple devices remains technically challenging, as iOS is not designed to support alternative app stores by default. Apple, which does not directly sell its products in Russia, may face these challenges due to its reliance on parallel imports and retail channels.
The move is part of Russia’s broader strategy to promote digital sovereignty and reduce dependence on foreign tech platforms. Retailers have expressed concerns that the new requirements may impact sales and drive consumers towards the underground market.
Anastasia Smirnova, a journalist for RIA "New Day," based in Moscow, provides updates and insights about the impact of the RuStore law. The article is available on the Telegram channel "New Day - Front Page."
| Aspect | Old Policy (before Sep 2025) | New Policy (from Sep 2025) | |------------------------------|------------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Pre-installation of RuStore | Not required | Required for devices in Russia | | Functionality of RuStore | Restricted on iOS | Must be fully supported | | Consumer Rights | Standard | Can demand price reduction if defective| | Market Impact | Limited | Potential for lower sales, gray market|
[1] Smirnova, A. (2025). New Day - Front Page. Retrieved from Telegram channel "New Day - Front Page" [2] Russian Federation Government. (2025). Law on the promotion of competition and consumer rights in the digital market. Retrieved from https://www.gov.ru/ [3] Apple Inc. (2025). Apple's response to the new RuStore law in Russia. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/ [4] Russian Association of Electronics and Mobile Communications. (2025). Impact of the RuStore law on device manufacturers. Retrieved from https://www.raemc.ru/
- Due to the new law, Apple devices sold or used in Russia will be required to support the installation, updating, and payment for applications via RuStore, the unified Russian app store, starting from September 1, 2025.
- As part of the new law, any Apple device that does not comply with the mandatory pre-installation and functionality support for RuStore will be considered "defective" under Russian consumer protection law, allowing consumers to demand a proportional reduction in the purchase price.
