Russia’s App Store payment block: how it impacts your MRR and what to do next

As of April 2026, Apple has ceased processing payments for App Store purchases and Apple Media Services in Russia, which prevents Russian users from making new purchases or renewing subscriptions through traditional methods. Previously, users could bypass blocked card payments by topping up their Apple ID balance via mobile operators, but this option has been eliminated following a government directive. This change, largely seen as part of the Russian government's broader effort to control online information and restrict access to paid VPN apps, impacts all subscription apps, regardless of their purpose. While users retain access to previously purchased apps and iCloud+ data, premium features tied to active subscriptions will be lost after the current billing cycle unless there are existing funds in their Apple Account. Developers may experience minimal global revenue impact unless they have a significant user base in Russia, prompting them to assess the financial effects, communicate changes to Russian users, and explore alternative payment methods outside the App Store ecosystem, such as web-based transactions.