App Store Updates and New Apps Stop Downloading in Russia
Apple device owners in Russia have started reporting issues with the App Store. Many users are unable to download or update apps when connected to certain mobile networks. These complaints have surfaced on Twitter and have been covered by publications such as iPhones.ru and TJ.
Where Are the Problems Occurring?
- St. Petersburg: Apps are not downloading on Yota and Rostelecom networks.
- Moscow: Apps are not downloading on MTS, Tele2, and Rostelecom networks. No issues reported on Tinkoff Mobile.
- Sochi: Apps are not downloading on Yota networks.
- Tomsk: No problems with the App Store.
- Chelyabinsk: Issues reported on Rostelecom and Beeline networks.
Alexander Plyushchev, a journalist from “Echo of Moscow,” wrote that he has not experienced any problems on his Moscow Megafon network.
What’s Causing the Issue?
It appears that users are facing the same problem: when they press the download button for an app, the download does not start. However, if they enable a VPN, everything works as usual.
Possible Reasons and Reactions
Opposition representatives believe this disruption is the result of unprofessional actions by Roskomnadzor, which is allegedly trying to neutralize the “Smart Voting” initiative.
Independent technical specialists are still gathering information. For example, Vladislav Zdolnikov, the creator of TgVPN and GlobalCheck, is asking users to report outages, specifying their network operator (mobile or wired) and region.
Other users have responded with their usual sarcasm about the government’s awkwardness when it comes to the internet.