Apple Pay Bows Out of Russia’s Bank System
What Went Down?
Apple recently pulled the plug on its Mir card payments in Apple Pay after detectives found a sneaky loophole. The loophole let people in Russia keep buying things online and in stores, even though foreign banks had already been banned by the EU and the U.S. Turns out the bug was less “safeguard” and more “hacker’s playground.”
Why It Matters Too Big to Ignore
With Apple Pay being a staple for iPhone users worldwide, losing a payment option feels like a wallet wipe. Russia’s banks, which use the Mir system, were part of the blockade, so Apple’s decision to shut the loophole is a win for the sanctions. But for folks with Mir cards, the news is a quick lesson in “you’re dealing with a global PIN there”.
What It Looks Like for Everyday Users
- Offline Shops: You’re not going to be swiped with a Mir card at your favorite coffee shop or mall. That’s a tap, no more.
- Online Checkout: If you had a Mir stored in your Apple Wallet, it simply won’t pop up when you shop online. The option is gone.
- Re‑Adding Your Card: Apple says you’ll be able to re‑add a valid, sanctioned card from an approved bank—so keep an eye on that if you plan to keep using Apple Pay.
Apple’s Bottom Line
Apple’s support team emphasizes that the company isn’t messing around with sanctions. “We’re just keeping everyone on the same side of the hill.” The removal of the loophole is a swift fix, and it ends the weird situation where Russians was still able to use a service that was already shut down by regulators.
The Takeaway
Think of this as a friendly nudge from Apple: “If you’re using a Mir card, you’re probably better off checking your bank’s status or flipping to another payment method.” The organization’s quick action helps keep the world’s banking rules straight and reduces the chances of unauthorized transactions sneaking in. It’s a win for compliance, even if it cedes peace for a few Russian payment lovers.
Apple’s Russian Roll‑back: What Just Happened
Picture this: you’re in Russia, your phone is buzzing, and you’re about to tap Apple Pay. But instead of a smooth swipe, you get a “Sorry, this card isn’t supported” screen. That’s right, Apple decided to pull the plug on Mir cards—Russia’s beloved payment method—right after the news hit the headlines about Visa and MasterCard restrictions. The company even rattled the wallet of its biggest Russian partner, re:Store, part of the ripple effect on third‑party resellers.
Why the Fuss?
- Apple had already stopped processing Visa & MasterCard transactions in Russia.
- Mir cards, once lit up by Apple Pay back in July 2021, were suddenly taken offline.
- There’s no real ETA on when they’ll come back—our best guess: as long as the Russia‑Ukraine conflict stays hot.
Other Apple Moves
Apple didn’t stop there. The tech giant also shut down its online sales and App Store Search Ads in Russia, pulling the plug on a large chunk of localized services. Think of it as a full‑scale “no‑contact” quarantine for the iOS ecosystem.
Third‑Party Resellers in the Crossfire
When Apple hits the brakes, every business in the ecosystem feels the crunch. re:Store, the biggest player in the Russian resale market, took a hard hit, along with other resellers scrambling to stay afloat.
In a Nutshell
Apple has temporarily turned off Mir cards in Russia—alongside Visa and MasterCard restrictions—while also pulling back its digital storefronts and advertising. With no clear recovery plan on the horizon, Russians looking to use Apple Pay are left feeling…well, frustrated and slightly more weekend‑savvy.
