Google Play Russia users can no longer download and update paid apps

Google Play users in Russia will no longer be able to download or update paid apps since May 5. Payments in the Play Store have been impossible for Russians since early March. Only free apps and games have not yet been affected by measures.

google stilt that it is taking this measure as part of its ‘compliance efforts’. Presumably, the company is aiming to implement the measure to comply with international sanctions on Russia. For users in that country it is now no longer possible to download a paid app from the Play Store. If a paid app is already installed, it will no longer receive updates, which may mean that it will no longer function in the long run.

Since March it has been the case that payments in the Play Store are no longer possible for users in Russia. That means buying apps, making in-app purchases, and keeping subscriptions was already impossible.

So all that remains are completely free apps and games; there are no restrictions yet. However, Google notes that the situation is “changing rapidly” and encourages readers of the announcement to return to that webpage for the latest information.

Operators of apps with subscriptions can, if desired, still accommodate users on Russian territory when a new term of their subscription starts. It is possible to extend the grace period after a payment is not successful by a maximum of 30 days. For current subscriptions, the next term can be postponed by a maximum of one year. During that period, the user can access the content without paying.

Example: Minecraft has been unavailable for purchase in Russia since March and since May 5, the game can no longer be downloaded or updated for existing owners