Starting April 1, iPhone users in Russia will face new restrictions, as topping up Apple ID balances via mobile phone accounts will no longer be available for subscribers of the country’s major telecom operators, RBC reported, citing industry sources.
According to the report, the decision was communicated to executives of the “big four” mobile operators during a meeting with Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev on March 28.
Despite a decline in Apple’s share of new device sales, iPhones still account for a significant portion of the active user base in Russia. Operator data indicate that iOS usage remains substantial; for example, it reached 22% in MTS’s network at the end of last year. Analysts at T-Data estimate the overall share of iOS devices in Russia at around 40–42% in recent years.
Sources suggest that one of the reasons behind the move may be to limit users’ ability to pay for VPN services. Currently, direct carrier billing remains available for MTS and Beeline subscribers, while T2 and MegaFon customers rely on similar options through partner arrangements. Most operators have declined to comment, and requests sent to MTS and the Ministry of Digital Development have gone unanswered.
Apple’s subscription-based services remain widely used, including iCloud+, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple One, and Apple Match.
Since February 2022, mobile billing has become one of the primary methods for funding Apple ID accounts in Russia after Apple Pay was suspended and the use of bank cards, including Mir cards, was restricted.
With the new restrictions, digital gift cards remain the only alternative method for adding funds to Apple ID accounts. Although physical cards have largely disappeared from retail stores, digital codes are still available through online marketplaces and specialized platforms.
However, this method comes with additional challenges: intermediaries typically charge commissions of 15–20%, and the codes must match the region of the user’s account. It remains unclear whether the new restrictions will also affect the sale of such gift cards or if they will remain доступным payment option.
