iPhone Setup Process in Russia Now Includes List of Suggested Russian Developed Apps

by

A few weeks after Apple agreed to allow Russia to show iPhone users in the country suggested apps created by Russian developers, Russian users are seeing the list of app suggestions when setting up a new device.

russian app store
As noted by Khaos Tian on Twitter, Russian users will see an App Store section featuring apps like Yandex Browser, Yandex Maps, ICQ, VK, and others during the ‌iPhone‌ startup process.


"In compliance with Russian legal requirements, here are some apps from Russian developers that you may download," reads the text of the popup, which resembles an ‌App Store‌ "Today" view card.

After going through standard ‌iPhone‌ setup procedures like setting light/dark mode, turning on True Tone, and adjusting Display Zoom, Russian users are directed to the list of apps that they can choose to download. Downloading the apps is optional and not required, and the apps are not installed automatically.

According to Russian site iPhones.ru, the ‌App Store‌ suggestions have been implemented server side, so Russian users will see them with no iOS update required. Users can choose the apps they want to install by tapping "Get," or can skip out of the screen without installing anything by tapping the "X."

Apple agreed to display the list of apps to comply with a law established by Russia's Ministry of Digital Affairs. The law requires software to be preinstalled on all devices sold in Russia, including smartphones, tablets, desktops, and smart TVs.

Apple said on March 16 that the app suggestions would be provided starting on April 1, and in addition to the apps listed during setup, Apple may also add a new section in the ‌App Store‌ that's dedicated to promoting Russian apps.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tags: App Store, Russia

Top Rated Comments

FireFish Avatar
FireFish
25 weeks ago
They forgot to mention the mandatory out-of-box pre-imaged background that all Apple phones and iPads now ship with in Russia:



Attachment Image
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kung gu Avatar
Kung gu
25 weeks ago
You know what thats not bad a implementation. They don't come installed but rather the user has a choice
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kiensoy Avatar
kiensoy
25 weeks ago
ICQ? I forgot that existed!
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving Avatar
TheYayAreaLiving
25 weeks ago
Next it’s going to be China!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
sw1tcher
25 weeks ago

What happens if you don’t install those apps?
You'll get sent to the gulag
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
-DMN- Avatar
-DMN-
25 weeks ago
You know what comes after optional, right? Mandatory.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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