“Pre-installation of the Russian app store will be mandatory, even in the event of a ban or restriction on the part of the owner of the operating system or affiliated structures,” the Government of the Russian Federation said in a statement.
In addition, manufacturers will have to ensure that the Russian app store is displayed on smartphone screens in the same way as programs from other developers. However, the application should be updated automatically and saved when resetting the device to factory settings.
On all devices that will be sold in Russia, the Russian RuStore application store must be pre- installed , regardless of the decision of the owner of the operating system. This resolution was signed by the Government, the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers reports:
“Pre-installation of the Russian app store will be mandatory, even if prohibited or restricted by the owner of the operating system or affiliated structures.”
“Such a rule will make it possible to exclude cases of evasion of pre-installation of RuStore by manufacturers of technically complex goods,” the report says .
In addition, manufacturers will have to ensure that the Russian app store is displayed on smartphone screens in the same way as programs from other developers. However, the application should be updated automatically and saved when resetting the device to factory settings.
In addition, the Cabinet instructed to make a “pre-installed version of a single application store” free of charge in the process of use.
The RuStore app store was launched in May 2022 amid sanctions due to a “special military operation” in Ukraine and the removal of a number of Russian apps from the App Store and Google Play. VK is developing it together with other IT companies with the support of the Ministry of Digital Development. RuStore is an analogue of Google Play, it is available only for Android devices.
In addition, the rules require mobile device manufacturers to provide a non-discriminatory display of the unified application store on the screen compared to similar programs from other developers, no less favorable conditions for using RuStore by gadget owners, automatic updates, maintaining the unified application store after a factory reset and during maintenance electronic devices,” the cabinet added.
At the same time, the government pointed out with reference to the decree, “the version of the pre-installed single application store should be free for users at the time of the first inclusion and in the process of use.”
RuStore was created by VK together with the largest Russian IT companies with the support of the Ministry of Digital Development. It was launched in May 2022. RuStore is included in the list of programs required for pre-installation on electronic devices in 2023 and 2024
