iPhones in Russia get screen in setup for installing Russian apps
In Russia, iPhone users will see a screen with Russian apps from next month when they start their device for the first time. This is the result of an agreement between the Russian Ministry of Digital Development and Communications and Apple.
The screen concerns Russian apps that users can install, such as Yandex, Mail.ru Group, Kaspersky Lab, Rostelecom and Channel One. The new ‘app selection screen’ with Russian apps is a result of a deal between Apple and Russia’s Mintsifra, the ministry for digital development and communication. According to the newspaper Vedomosti, the deal states that an extra screen will be included in the set-up when an iPhone is turned on for the first time in Russia.
According to the newspaper, those check marks are on by default, but users can also turn them off. On the screen, users can find browsers, antivirus software, map services, chat programs, mail applications, apps from online cinemas, as well as apps from the state and the Mir Pay payment system.
Russia has a separate deal with Apple. This is not necessary on Android phones: manufacturers often have a screen in the set-up with options to preinstall apps, for example extra apps from the manufacturer itself or from Google. In addition, Android manufacturers are more generous with pre-installing apps. On Samsung phones, for example, you will find apps from Microsoft and Facebook as standard.
That the deal is coming and that it is coming now is no coincidence. A law change in Russia that prescribes this will take effect on April 1. This is an addition to Article 4 of the Consumer Protection Act. That article prescribes that in the case of ‘technically complex goods’, the government can prescribe to give consumers the choice to install certain software.
According to the newspaper Vedomosti, that list is not fixed. The newspaper cites a source at the ministry. “If alternative apps appear that are of interest to users and quickly gain popularity, they will be included in this selection and appear in the pre-installation screen.” It is unknown if there is a maximum to the list. All apps are in the App Store and have undergone the regular inspection.
Apple’s Russian Sales
Apple did not simply agree to this change in law. Before the law went into effect, an Apple executive, in consultation with the Russian government, said the company would “rethink” its strategy for Russia if the law were passed. The iPhone maker hinted at leaving Russia altogether.
The manufacturer has a separate subsidiary for the Russian market, Eppl Rus. A few hundred people work there and the turnover in the country amounts to around 2.5 billion euros per year. Apple earned a total of around 250 billion euros last year: 1 percent of the turnover comes from Russia.
Apple has previously pledged to store data from Russian users in Russia, and it showed Crimea on Apple Maps as part of Russia, but only in Russia. In other countries, Apple is also generally willing to cooperate with authorities, such as in China. For example, according to rumors, series on Apple TV+ should not have storylines that could offend the Chinese government and Apple removed a Hong Kong app that the Chinese government did not like.