Apple has blocked a workaround that allowed users in Russia to install apps subject to sanctions

Apple has blocked the ability to install apps that have been removed from the Russian App Store on iPhones and iPads using third-party software. These included iMazing, ipa_downloader, 3uTools, and other similar software.

Russian users had been using these tools to install apps not available on the App Store, including “Sberbank,” “Avito,” “T-Bank,” and VK. Apple has not officially commented on the block.

According to the publication, the company’s servers now reject requests when users attempt to restore apps from “Media Library”—the user file storage on Apple devices. Archived authorization tokens have also been disabled, and the associated certificates have been revoked.

When attempting to install the app, users receive a 403 error, indicating a lack of necessary access permissions. No new ways to bypass the restriction have been found so far.

However, the block has not affected the operation of apps that were already installed on iPhones or iPads.

Previously, VK filed a lawsuit against Apple regarding the App Store.

Previously, a case was filed against Apple in Russia over its refusal to allow the Max messenger to be installed on iPhones.

As a reminder, Apple, Google, and GitHub websites have stopped working in Russia.

A number of popular Russian services that have come under state control in recent years have begun to disappear from the Google Play Store. These include social networks, messaging apps, email services, and multimedia platforms.