The App Store has disabled payments with Russian cards. What to do

Two ways to help keep access to games, subscriptions and other paid services.

From March 10, it will not be possible to pay in the App Store with a card issued in Russia. But this does not mean that access to paid applications for Russian users will be completely closed. We tell you what you can do.

Switch to pay by phone number

Until Apple announced the limitations of this payment method, it can be adopted. The numbers of Beeline, MegaFon, MTS, Yota operators are linked.

Important: if you cannot link a phone number, you should contact your telecom operator. You may have disabled options for your mobile account that allow these types of payments.

On iPhone and iPad

1. Go to gadget settings.
2. Click on your Apple ID account name.
3. In the “Payment & Delivery” menu, log in with Face ID or Touch ID.
4. Go to “Add a payment method”, select the “Mobile phone” option and enter the desired number. If you have previously added a phone number, you can skip this step and the next one.
5. Wait for an SMS with a confirmation code and enter it. The phone number will then appear in the list of payment options.
6. Click Edit and drag mobile payment to the top of the list.
7. Make sure the menu has checkboxes next to “Mobile phone” and “Use this mobile phone number” (or another one, depending on your preference).

On a Mac in the App Store and iCloud

1. Launch the App Store app.
2. Click on your Apple ID account in the lower left corner of the window.
3. Go to Info → Manage methods payment method”.
4. Select “Payment Method” and add your mobile number.
5. Confirm the linking of the number with the code from the SMS.
6. Drag the “Mobile phone” payment method to the first place in the list.

Buy a gift card

Where to find it

Gift cards can also be found in online and offline stores. Available denominations are 500, 1000, 1500 and 3000 rubles. The activation code of the card is indicated on the check.

However, according to users, it is extremely difficult to find cards – except perhaps from resellers who sell them at a price above face value.

Earlier, you can buy gift cards was in the applications of Sberbank, Tinkoff and other banks. It was disabled on March 10.

How to top up

The easiest way is to deposit money from a gift card to your App Store account.

1. Launch the App Store app.< /li>
2. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner.
3. Select “Redeem a gift card or code”.
4. Once the funds are credited to the balance, you can use them to pay iCloud, App Store, Apple One, and other subscriptions.
5. Family members will not be able to use your balance. They will need to purchase their own codes and top up their Apple ID.

Important: you will not be able to return money from your Apple ID balance to a card or mobile account. There is also a risk that in the event of a complete blocking of Apple services in Russia, the funds will become unavailable.