Apple agrees to let Russians pre-install local apps on iPhones

This will be the first time Apple offers users the ability to install outside software on its devices at setup. — Dreamstime/TNS

Apple Inc, in an unprecedented move, will offer an option to install apps from Russian developers on the devices it sells in the country.

Beginning April 1, when users in Russia buy a new iPhone, iPad or Mac, they will be prompted during setup with the option to go to a new page in the App Store to load the Russian software, Apple said on Tuesday. The applications that appear are being suggested by the Russian government, but Apple will only show apps that meet the company’s App Store review guidelines.