Russia‘s Federal Antimonopoly Service has threatened Apple with a $52M fine for not automatically installing Russian software, including search engines and messenger Max, on iPhones and iPads sold in the country, reports Reuters. There’s just one problem, Apple doesn’t sell either of those devices in the country.
In late June, Kremlin raged against Apple, demanding to know why apps published by Russian internet and technology company VK had been removed from the App Store without “any warning or explanation,” saying the removals were “unjustified and unacceptable.” The apps are all Russian government-mandated apps.
Removed apps included social media, video platforms, and messaging apps. At the time, Russian officials warned they may drop their cooperation with Apple as a whole.
Now the Russkies are stepping up the pressure on Apple, warning the Cupertino firm could be hit with as much as a 4 billion rouble ($51.6 million) fine for “discriminating” against Russian software. The government has set a July 15 deadline for Apple to comply and avoid the fine.
Okay, here’s the rub. While the Kremlinites are demanding Apple pre-install the Max messenger app and Russian search engine software on iPhones and iPads sold in Russia, Apple hasn’t sold any of its product inside Russian borders since March 2022. Apple pulled out of Russia following the country’s attack on Ukraine. The company doesn’t even have an authorized dealers in the country.
While pulling out over the invasion of a country sounds noble and all, it should be noted that Russian sales accounted for just slightly more than 1% of Apple’s sales, so it wasn’t a huge sacrifice.
Any iPhone or iPad sold inside Russia these days is sold via the black and grey markets, meaning none of the devices sold have the government-backed apps preinstalled. However, the App Store is still available in Russia, although users cannot subscribe or pay for Apple Services, thanks to Apple Ireland being fined for breaking sanctions against Russia.
While Apple likely will not develop a Russia-only configuration for its devices, it could restore the apps in question to the App Store. After all, it has bowed to pressure from the Russian government in the past.
In July 2024, following pressure from the Russian government, Apple removed several iPhone VPN apps from the country’s App Store.
In December 2025, Russia blocked Apple’s FaceTime video calling app, as part of a continuing effort to block private communication methods, which the Russian government claimed was being used to facilitate criminal activity. Social network Snapchat and multiplayer gaming platform Roblox were also banned. The restriction came following the launch of the Russian government’s own messaging app, called… Let me check my notes… Oh, here it is, MAX.