Apple has officially updated its support documentation to reflect major changes to billing for users in Russia. As of April 1, 2026, payment processing is no longer available for new purchases and subscriptions on the App Store and other Apple Media Services in Russia. This means Russian users can no longer make new App Store purchases, in-app purchases, or renew subscriptions for services like: • Apple Arcade …unless they have sufficient funds already loaded in their Apple Account balance. What This Means for Users in Russia • New purchases and renewals are blocked without pre-existing Apple Account balance funds. Apple’s support page explicitly states: “New purchases, including in-app purchases and subscription renewals, are no longer available in Russia unless you have funds in your Apple Account balance.” Workarounds and Alternatives Apple recommends the following options for affected users: • Use any existing Apple Account balance to continue making purchases and renewing subscriptions. Detailed guides are linked in Apple’s document for redeeming codes and managing storage. While Apple’s support page does not state a reason for the change, recent reports indicate the restriction follows actions by Russian authorities. Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development reportedly instructed major mobile operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) to disable top-ups of Apple ID accounts via mobile phone balances starting April 1. This move appears aimed at limiting payments for VPN services and/or pressuring Apple regarding App Store availability of certain Russian apps removed due to sanctions. The timing aligns perfectly: Apple’s policy update and the mobile top-up block both took effect on April 1, 2026. Refunds and Consumer Rights Users who believe they are eligible for a refund on apps or content can request one via reportaproblem.apple.com. Refund eligibility depends on Apple’s terms and local consumer protection laws. MacDailyNews Note: This development further restricts Apple’s digital ecosystem in Russia following the company’s 2022 decision to suspend sales and certain services in response to the situation in Ukraine. International payment methods have long been limited due to sanctions, and the mobile carrier top-up option had served as a key workaround for many users. Apple has not issued a public statement beyond the support page at the time of writing. Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post Apple disables payments in Russia appeared first on MacDailyNews. You're currently a free subscriber to MacDailyNews. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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Thursday, April 2, 2026
Apple disables payments in Russia
Siri is the bottleneck: Apple waiting to launch new ‘HomePad,’ Apple TV, HomePod, and HomePod mini
Apple has new HomePod mini, full-sized HomePod, and Apple TV hardware ready to go — but the long-awaited Apple Intelligence-powered Siri remains the final bottleneck holding everything back. With HomePod mini stock rapidly disappearing from retail stores, a refreshed smart home lineup is expected later this year once the new Siri is ready.” Jessica Martin, Mark Gurman, and Tim Stenovec for Bloomberg News:
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post Siri is the bottleneck: Apple waiting to launch new ‘HomePad,’ Apple TV, HomePod, and HomePod mini appeared first on MacDailyNews. You're currently a free subscriber to MacDailyNews. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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Apple releases rare iOS 18.7.7 security update to shield older iPhones and iPads from DarkSword hacking tool
In an unusual move, Apple has pushed out a critical security update for users still running iOS 18 (and iPadOS 18), specifically to protect against the powerful DarkSword exploit kit that can compromise iPhones and iPads simply by visiting a malicious or compromised website. The update — iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7 — was made available to a much broader range of devices on April 1, 2026. Users with Automatic Updates enabled should receive it automatically. For those without auto-updates turned on, devices running older builds of iOS 18 will see a prominent alert urging them to install the Critical Security Update. What Is DarkSword and Why Is It Dangerous? DarkSword is a hacking toolkit that enables attackers to take control of vulnerable iPhones running iOS 18.4 through 18.7 via drive-by web attacks. Victims don’t need to click anything suspicious — simply loading a website containing the malicious code is enough. Once inside, the exploit can steal sensitive data including: • Messages The stolen data is then uploaded to servers controlled by the attackers.The toolkit has already been used in targeted attacks against individuals in countries including Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Ukraine, and China. Making matters worse, the exploit tools have been leaked and published on GitHub, meaning the threat is no longer limited to sophisticated state actors or advanced hacker groups — virtually anyone with basic technical knowledge could potentially use it. Apple first shipped fixes for DarkSword in 2025, and users on the latest iOS 26 have been protected for weeks. However, millions of users have deliberately stayed on iOS 18 — some to avoid the new “Liquid Glass” interface in iOS 26, others because they prefer the older design or have compatibility concerns with apps. Normally, Apple uses security updates as gentle (or not-so-gentle) encouragement to move users to the newest OS version. The release of iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7 for a wider set of devices marks a rare exception, showing the company views the DarkSword threat as serious enough to backport protections rather than force an upgrade. Who Should Update? • Anyone still on iOS 18 (iPhone XS and newer models that support iOS 26, as well as older devices limited to iOS 18). Apple also reminds users that Lockdown Mode provides additional protection against this class of web-based attacks. Apple’s Official Statement In its security notes, Apple stated: “We enabled the availability of iOS 18.7.7 for more devices on April 1, 2026, so users with Automatic Updates turned on can automatically receive important security protections from web attacks called DarkSword. The fixes associated with the DarkSword exploit first shipped in 2025. Devices with older versions of iOS 18 will receive an additional alert to install a Critical Security Update.” While the company continues to strongly recommend updating to iOS 26 for the fullest security and feature benefits, it has clearly prioritized user safety in this case. MacDailyNews Take: If you’re still running iOS 18, check Settings > General > Software Update right away. The DarkSword tools are now in the wild, and web-based drive-by attacks are notoriously hard to avoid entirely. This episode highlights both the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between Apple’s security team and sophisticated threat actors, and Apple’s willingness — when the risk is high enough — to support older software versions longer than usual. iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 users, update promptly, and consider enabling Automatic Updates if you haven’t already. For maximum protection, upgrading to iOS 26 remains the best long-term choice. Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post Apple releases rare iOS 18.7.7 security update to shield older iPhones and iPads from DarkSword hacking tool appeared first on MacDailyNews. You're currently a free subscriber to MacDailyNews. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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Apple disables payments in Russia
Apple has officially updated its support documentation to reflect major changes to billing for users in Russia. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ...
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