As of April 1, 2026, Apple has officially stopped processing payments for all App Store purchases and Apple Media Services in Russia. This means Russian users can no longer make new purchases or renew existing subscriptions using traditional payment methods.
While card payments have been blocked for some time, a popular loophole allowed users to top up their Apple ID balance via mobile phone operators. Following a recent government directive, this loophole has now been closed.
The status quo
For subscription app developers, this is a hard stop on a major revenue channel in the region. Unless a user already has existing funds in their Apple Account balance, their subscription will not renew.
The good news for users is that they won’t immediately lose everything. Apps and content previously purchased will remain available, and Apple has confirmed that iCloud+ data will remain accessible even after a subscription lapses. However, premium features tied to active subscriptions will inevitably be cut off once the current billing cycle ends and the renewal fails.
What we know about the block
According to reports, the Russian government ordered mobile operators to disable the Apple ID top-up option. This move is widely seen as part of a broader crackdown on online information, specifically targeting the use of paid VPN apps that allow citizens to bypass internet censorship.
By cutting off the ability to pay for these services, the government effectively restricts access to them. Unfortunately, this blanket ban catches all subscription apps in its net, regardless of their category or purpose.
What developers can do now
For most developers, the impact on global MRR will be minimal. However, if you have a significant user base in Russia, you stand to lose a chunk of revenue. Here are a few practical steps you can take right now:
- Assess the impact: check your RevenueCat dashboard to see exactly how much of your active MRR comes from Russia. This will help you forecast the upcoming drop in revenue as renewals begin to fail.
- Communicate with users: send an in-app message or email to your Russian subscribers. Inform them of the change and remind them that they can still use existing Apple Account balances. If they have the means to acquire Apple gift cards from other regions, this is the time to top up.
- Offer alternative payment routes: if your app is multi-platform (e.g., accessible via the web), you can direct users to complete their purchases outside the App Store ecosystem, provided you have a payment processor that still operates in the region.
While the situation is largely out of developers’ hands, proactive communication, a clear understanding of the data, and alternative methods (like web-to-app) can help cushion the blow.
Process payments freely via the web
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