iPhone Users in Iran Now Unable to Access the App Store

[MacRumors]

It appears the App Store is no longer accessible to iPhone and iPad users in Iran, with Apple apparently implementing a countrywide IP ban.

According to Bleeping Computer, Iranians have been unable to access the App Store since approximately noon GMT, and when attempting to use the App Store, they're receiving a message that the store is unavailable in the country.

All Iranian IPs appear to be unable to use the App Store at the current time. Iranian security researcher Meysam Firouzi told Bleeping Computer that he was able to connect to the App Store when using a VPN, even though he has an account with Iranian details.

Because of U.S. sanctions, Apple does not sell its products in Iran nor is there an Iranian App Store, but there are millions of iPhones in the country that have been smuggled from places like Dubai and Hong Kong. iPhone users in Iran have previously been able to access the App Store by setting their devices to other regions.

Back in August, Apple began removing apps from its App Stores created by Iranian developers for Iranian citizens, such as Snapp, a popular app for an Uber-like ride hailing service popular in Iran. Apple has now gone one step further and appears to be preventing all users with an Iranian IP from accessing the App Store entirely.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: iPhone Users in Iran Now Unable to Access the App Store

 

[Jeaz]

How does Google/Android deal with this?

 

[Apple_Robert]

It makes sense for users not to be able to access. Don’t see this as noteworthy.

 

[east85]

If anything, hopefully this will encourage VPN use in the region.

 

[fairuz]

Imagine having to smuggle your phone in and use a VPN. Wow.

 

[iapplelove]

And over here we are complaining about battery statistics lol

 

[TheColtr]

I’m not surprised, with the sanctions placed over the past few administrations it was only a matter of time before this kind of thing happened.

Sure Apple doesn’t want it, after all they’re just trying to sell phones (and apps in this case) but they do have to comply with law.

 

[JosephAW]

Well at least apple doesn't brick their phones

 

[dan9700]

Iran has zero free speech its a shame islamic countrys are so backwards

 

[samh004]

In the long run, how does isolating a country’s people from the App Store and (eventually) the internet further your cause to reduce their radicalisation? I don’t think it does, just the opposite. Apple may have their hands tied here but it makes no sense to me. I’d want them (citizens of Iran) to see the App Store and the world.

 

[BeforeTheMeds]

In the long run, how does isolating a country’s people from the App Store and (eventually) the internet further your cause to reduce their radicalisation? I don’t think it does, just the opposite. Apple may have their hands tied here but it makes no sense to me. I’d want them (citizens of Iran) to see the App Store and the world.

My guess is that its their government thats blocking it.

 

[Huntn]

So is Apple going to refund all of their purchases? That's how you put stuff on your phone.

 

[Nermal]

My guess is that its their government thats blocking it.

I'd imagine that it's Apple doing it; if it was being blocked further down the line then the error would likely be a more generic "unable to connect".

 

[AppleMad98004]

In the long run, how does isolating a country’s people from the App Store and (eventually) the internet further your cause to reduce their radicalisation? I don’t think it does, just the opposite. Apple may have their hands tied here but it makes no sense to me. I’d want them (citizens of Iran) to see the App Store and the world.

You are right....But it is probably not Apple blocking it.

 

[Cloudkicker]

Did crabby old bastard John McCain finally pull through on his promise to: "Bomb, bomb, bomb... bomb, bomb Iran. *weak chuckle*"

 

[69Mustang]

You are right....But it is probably not Apple blocking it.

As @Nermal mentioned, it most likely is Apple blocking it. The message isn't a generic message. It's an Apple generated message.

 

[heov]

How does Google/Android deal with this?

Android can support multiple app stores.

Google has an app store ("Play Store").

Amazon has one.

Samsung has one.

China has a few, too.

And you can also download apps and install manually without any jailbreak, root, etc. But you better trust the source.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

Did crabby old bastard John McCain finally pull through on his promise to: "Bomb, bomb, bomb... bomb, bomb Iran. *weak chuckle*"

I thought we were supposed to like John McCain now that he stands in the way of Trump supported legislation. I can't keep track of who we're supposed to hate from one day to the next, can you send out a newsletter or something? Or maybe subscribe to one if you're still in the 2008 election cycle?

 

[charlituna]

You are right....But it is probably not Apple blocking it.

actually it likely is. because Apple is compelled by law to not knowing sell any products for use in Iran. if someone comes into a store to buy products and indicates they are going to be taken to Iran as their primary use location (as opposed to someone just going on vacay and bringing the phone back with them), Apple can't complete the sale.

 

[RickInHouston]

I thought we were supposed to like John McCain now that he stands in the way of Trump supported legislation. I can't keep track of who we're supposed to hate from one day to the next, can you send out a newsletter or something? Or maybe subscribe to one if you're still in the 2008 election cycle?

Trust me. He's on the permanent hate list. He's gone off the cliff!

 

[LovingTeddy]

How does Google/Android deal with this?

Google doesn’t need to do anything. The Android Kernel source code is open sourced. Iranian cellphone maker can make their own cellphone, creating their own version of Android, have their own App Store.

Google is pretty much banned in China, yet Android based smartphone is overtaking iOS by large margin. In fact the Apple does not even in top 5 cellphone vendor in China.

 

[You are the One]

VPN is the way to bypass all this nonsense.

 

[Solomani]

Anything to make Netanyahoo happy.

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

It's a recognized terrorist state. Who gives a F?

We should be sending them returned Samsung exploding phones!

 

[saudade]

Sorry about my ignorance but what is Iron? A place?