---
title: "FAS initiates case against Apple: why iPhones did not get Max and RuStore"
description: "FAS has initiated a case against Apple for refusing to pre-install Max and RuStore on iPhones. 📱⚖️ The company faces a fine of up to 4 billion rubles for violating the competition law, although the ability to install the Russian search engine has already been implemented."
date: 2026-08-04T00:15:47.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/fas-initiates-case-against-apple-for-refusing-to-pre-install-max-and-rustore
tags: [apple, fas, ios, max, rustore]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# FAS initiates case against Apple: why iPhones did not get Max and RuStore

![Black iPhone with Apple logo in the background, illustrating the FAS case against the company](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/04/fas-vozbudiva-delo-protiv-apple-iz-za-otkaza-predustanovlivat-max-i-rustore/fas-vozbudiva-delo-protiv-apple-iz-za-otkaza-predustanovlivat-max-i-rustore-1.webp)

The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of Russia has officially initiated a case against the American corporation Apple. The reason for the investigation was the company's failure to fully comply with a previously issued warning from the agency. The conflict arose over requirements to pre-install Russian software on devices running the iOS operating system.

### Essence of the regulator's claims

According to official data from the FAS press service, Apple failed to meet key conditions of the warning issued in July of this year. In particular, the pre-installation of the national messenger "Max" and the domestic app store RuStore was not implemented on iPhone and iPad devices.

The agency emphasizes that Apple's actions contradict the Law on Protection of Competition. The press release notes that enforcement practice against the American company has already been confirmed by judicial authorities, giving the regulator legal grounds to initiate the case.

### Risk of a multimillion-dollar fine

The consequences of ignoring the requirements could be serious. In the event that a violation of the Law on Protection of Competition is established, administrative liability will be applied to Apple. The fine will be imposed in accordance with the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses.

Recall that initially, the FAS set a deadline for compliance with the warning until July 15. The regulator warned that failure to meet the requirements could result in a fine of up to 4 billion rubles.

### Partial fulfillment of requirements

Despite the initiation of the case, the FAS noted that the company has taken some steps. According to the agency, Apple reported that starting July 27, the updated version of the software implemented the possibility of pre-installing the Russian search engine. However, this proved insufficient to fully remove the regulator's claims, as issues with the messenger and app store remained unresolved.

### Global context of the conflict

The situation in Russia is part of a broader trend. Currently, antimonopoly authorities in several countries are reviewing complaints from consumers and developers regarding discriminatory actions by Apple. The Russian regulator continues to insist on compliance with national legislation, demanding equal conditions for domestic and foreign software in the mobile device market.