Is Apple App Store blocked in Russia?
Yes. Apple App Store has been partly blocked in Russia since 2022. Russian bank cards stopped working in 2022, and Apple removed many VPN apps in 2024.
The 3 VPNs that fit Russia
Don't use a VPN to reach Apple App Store. Which App Store you see depends on your Apple Account's country and payment method, not your internet connection, so a VPN won't change it. These picks are for privacy and the other blocks in Russia.
Votes come from visitors in Russia over the last 14 days.
Picked for heavy censorship: each can disguise VPN traffic.
ExpressVPN
UnreliableNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Obfuscation is automatic on every server.
NordVPN
UnreliableNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Use the NordWhisper protocol, built for networks with deep packet inspection.
Proton VPN
UnreliableNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Use the Stealth protocol.
Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs Surfshark, Private Internet Access and CyberGhost
Surfshark
UnreliableNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Turn on NoBorders mode.
Private Internet Access
UnreliableNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Turn on the Shadowsocks proxy in settings.
CyberGhost
UnreliableNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Switch to a nearby server (CyberGhost has no stealth mode) before connecting.
We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money
The bigger picture in Russia
WhatsApp and YouTube were blocked in February 2026, Telegram is throttled, and Instagram, Facebook, X, Signal and Discord have been blocked for years.
Before you connect: Install your VPN before entering Russia. Standard WireGuard and OpenVPN are detected, so an obfuscated protocol is essential.
Everything blocked in Russia · Where is Apple App Store blocked?
Questions people ask
Is Apple App Store blocked in Russia?
Apple App Store has been partly blocked in Russia since 2022. Russian bank cards stopped working in 2022, and Apple removed many VPN apps in 2024.
Can I use Apple App Store in Russia with a VPN?
Which App Store you see depends on your Apple Account's country and payment method, not your internet connection, so a VPN won't change it.
Is using a VPN legal in Russia?
Legal with restrictions. Using a VPN is legal, but only approved providers may operate, advertising VPNs is banned, and July 2025 laws added penalties for searching for banned content. Hundreds of VPN apps were removed from Russian app stores.
Seeing something different? Report it on the Russia page.