- Russian mobile operators ordered to disable Apple ID payments
- Russian iPhone users will lose access starting April 1
- The move is reportedly aimed at preventing VPN payments.
Russia’s Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev has ordered mobile operators to disable Apple ID payments in the country.
Local news outlet RBC reports that Shadayev issued the directive to the “big four” Russian operators (MegaFon, T2 Mobile, MTS and VimpelCom) during a meeting on March 28.
Starting April 1, 2026, iPhone users across Russia will lose the ability to pay with their Apple ID.
A source told RBC that the measure is an attempt to make access to a VPN even more difficult. By disabling these payments, authorities hope to limit residents’ ability to pay for premium VPN subscriptions.
However, another source told Russian news agency Interfax that the ban is a temporary measure to “encourage technology companies to comply with Russian law” and “force the tech giant to return Russian services to the App Store.”
The measure represents another blow to VPN services in the country. Earlier this week, Apple removed several VPN clients from the Russian App Store following demands from state media regulator Roskomnadzor.
Shadayev has since signaled that the government intends to “further reduce VPN usage” through a combination of technical blocks, aggressive fines, and new usage fees.
The ban on Apple ID payments in Russia: what is at stake for VPN users?
The Apple ID payment system allows iOS users to manage app purchases, digital services like iCloud+ and Apple Music, and third-party subscriptions.
The feature became a vital lifeline for residents after Visa and Mastercard suspended operations in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. For many, linking a mobile phone bill to an Apple ID became the last reliable way to pay for Western digital services.
While users can theoretically purchase VPNs through other means, the absence of Visa and Mastercard makes direct website purchases nearly impossible for the average Russian user.
If you are residing or traveling to Russia soon, I suggest you download a free and secure VPN app like Proton VPN Free, PrivadoVPN Free, Amnezia VPN Free or Windscribe Free.
For those who are currently in Russia or planning to travel there, it is highly recommended to install a reputable free VPN. Services like Proton VPN Free, PrivadoVPN Free, and Windscribe Free are solid options, while open source projects like Amnezia VPN offer specialized tools designed to prevent aggressive state filtering.
It’s also worth remembering that some of the top VPN brands also accept cryptocurrency payments, including NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN.
Windscribe and NymVPN, which recently improved their censorship-resistant technology to ensure it works in challenging environments like Russia, also accept cryptocurrency payments. Mullvad VPN even allows you to pay in cash.
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