RuStore will become a must-have for all smartphones

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law obliging manufacturers of smartphones and other devices sold in the country to pre-install the domestic RuStore app store. The new regulation comes into force on September 1, 2025 and reflects the desire to strengthen digital independence against the background of the growing influence of global technology corporations.

According to the approved document, all smartphones intended for sale in the Russian market must have the RuStore platform installed. In addition, the law restricts practices that were previously used by major international manufacturers — including bans on installing and updating applications from third-party sources, blocking the functionality of devices when using alternative programs, and restricting payment methods inside applications.

The explanatory note to the law states that some manufacturers — primarily devices based on closed ecosystems-implement license conditions that restrict access to a number of functions or completely exclude the possibility of installing applications outside of official channels. This creates barriers for both developers and end-users, limiting digital freedom of choice and competition.

The measures taken are aimed at ensuring equal access of domestic and independent developers to the user base and functionality of devices, as well as the formation of a sovereign digital infrastructure. The law prohibits the imposition of pricing policies on developers and allows users to choose convenient payment methods within applications, regardless of the requirements of operating systems or production companies.

The RuStore pre-installation law is part of the state's broader strategy to develop a national ecosystem of digital services. In the face of geopolitical and technological constraints, the focus is shifting towards supporting domestic solutions, reducing dependence on foreign software, and strengthening control over key digital channels.