Context. Hornet app (social network for gay men and MSM) Blocked in the Russian App Store since December 27, 2025, but it can still be installed on devices in the Russian Federation using workarounds. For Android, it is available on Google Play without much restriction, although a VPN may be required for full use due to the blocking of the hornet.com site.
We tell you the only 3 ways to install iOS apps blocked in Russia based on current guides for December 2025. Please note: These methods may violate Apple's terms and conditions, and the use of a VPN is recommended for security.
For iOS (iPhone/iPad)
I Change the region of your Apple ID account:
If you have subscriptions or balances, you may need to cancel them before you can change. This takes 5-15 minutes.
Зайдите в Настройки > [Ваше имя] > Медиаматериалы и покупки > Просмотреть учётную запись.
Select "Country/region" and change to the country where the app is available (for example, the United States, Canada, or any other country other than the United States).
In the payment field, enter "None" (if you don't have a card), and the address is any real one from the selected country (you can find it on Google).
After changing the region, go to the App Store - Hornet should appear for download.
II. Create a new Apple ID with a different region
Sign out of your current App Store account.
Create a new ID on the appleid.apple.com by specifying a country like the United States or Canada.
Log in to the App Store with your new account and download Hornet.
This is useful if you don't want to change your primary account.
III Beta via TestFlight (recommended):
Go to by link and follow the instructions. This gives access to the test version, but the version may be unstable.
If the standard version is not suitable, join the Hornet beta through TestFlight (Apple's official tool).
These methods work as of December 2025, but the situation may change — check the latest news. If you have any problems, check out the video tutorials on YouTube.
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