A glitch occurred in Reserve+: the app won’t open and is asking for an update

The morning of Wednesday, April 1, began with an unpleasant technical surprise for many Ukrainians: the key service for people liable for military service, Reserve+, suffered a widespread outage.

Users across the country are complaining about a “digital loop” — the app blocks access to data while insistently demanding an update that is currently unavailable in the official Google Play and App Store marketplaces. Given the date, many hoped it was an April Fools’ joke, but the problem turned out to be very real and large-scale.

The technical malfunction made it impossible to remotely confirm deferment or reservation status.

The main issue lies in the incorrect functioning of the app’s version-checking algorithm. The program simply does not recognize the current software on the device and tells the user to go to the app store. However, the only version available there is the one already installed.

The main signs of the outage are:

• Complete loss of access to the electronic military registration document;
• A constant pop-up window demanding installation of a “new version”;
• Inability to log in through BankID on some devices.

Until the service is stabilized, specialists strongly recommend returning to more reliable methods. Since Reserve+ is currently not a dependable source of information, people liable for military service are advised to carry physical copies of their documents.

What should be carried:

• A paper military ID or temporary certificate;
• Documents confirming deferment (original or certified copy);
• Proof of reservation status (an extract from the Ministry of Economy order).

Experts warn against downloading any “fixes” or “new versions of Reserve+” from third-party websites or forums. This could lead to your device being hacked or to the theft of personal data stored in the system.

The outage occurred amid active discussion of the Defense Ministry’s plans for April 2026. The ministry has already officially denied the most high-profile rumors. In particular, it said that reports claiming electronic draft notices would begin to be sent through the Reserve+ app starting in April are not true.

It is worth recalling that this year is critical for boys born in 2009 who are turning 17. They must register between January 1 and July 31. Technical problems with digital services do not relieve them of this obligation, so if there are issues with online registration, it is better to go in person to a territorial recruitment and social support center.

No timeline has yet been given for the full restoration of stable Reserve+ service, although the developers say they are already working on fixing the bug.