Apple is under scrutiny from Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS), which has issued a warning to the tech giant for allegedly favoring foreign search engines and failing to pre-install Russian-developed software on its devices. The FAS has set a deadline of July 15 for Apple to address these concerns, with potential fines reaching up to 4 billion rubles (approximately $52 million) if the company does not comply.
The FAS’s primary grievances include Apple’s default installation of non-Russian search engines on iPhones and iPads, which users must manually change to access Russian alternatives. This practice, according to the FAS, creates unfair conditions for domestic developers and infringes on consumer rights. Additionally, Apple has been criticized for not pre-installing Russian applications such as the Max messenger and the domestic app store, RuStore, on its devices.
This development follows a series of actions by Russian authorities aimed at promoting local digital services. In June, the Kremlin questioned Apple’s removal of applications developed by VK, a major Russian technology company, from the App Store. The removal was perceived as politically motivated, leading to increased tensions between Apple and Russian officials.
Apple ceased official product sales in Russia in March 2022, following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Apple devices have entered the Russian market through parallel imports, as the company no longer operates its retail business in the region. Despite the halt in sales, the App Store remains accessible in Russia, and Apple has occasionally complied with app-related requests from Russian authorities, including the removal of certain applications deemed undesirable by the government.
In July 2024, Apple removed VPN apps from the Russian App Store, and later that year, independent media apps containing content labeled as undesirable by Russian authorities were also taken down. In February 2023, Apple paid a $12.12 million antitrust fine for requiring iOS users to rely on its in-app purchase system. More recently, in March 2026, Apple Ireland was fined for violating sanctions against Russia, leading to the suspension of subscriptions and payments for Apple services in the country.
The ongoing tensions highlight the complex relationship between Apple and Russian authorities. While Apple has shown some willingness to comply with certain demands, such as removing specific apps from the App Store, the company has resisted other requirements, like pre-installing state-backed software. Given that Apple no longer sells its devices in Russia, it is unlikely to develop region-specific product configurations to meet these demands. Consequently, the pre-installation of applications like the Max messenger on iPhones in Russia remains improbable.
This situation underscores the broader challenges multinational tech companies face when operating in markets with stringent local regulations and geopolitical tensions. Apple’s predicament in Russia serves as a case study in balancing compliance with local laws and maintaining corporate policies, especially in regions where political and economic landscapes are rapidly evolving.
