Apple has removed Russia’s state-linked Max messenger from its App Store, according to the app’s developers, marking a significant setback for Moscow’s efforts to centralise digital communications under a state-aligned platform.
The app, developed by Russian tech giant VK and promoted as a domestic “super-app,” vanished from the store on Wednesday night, its developers said, with no explanation provided by Apple.
The company has not publicly commented on the removal.
Max has been heavily promoted by Russian authorities, with President Vladimir Putin framing it as part of the country’s push for “technological sovereignty.” It has also been positioned as an alternative to encrypted messaging platforms, despite lacking end-to-end encryption and storing user data on servers in Russia.
Apple and Google have both removed dozens of Russian apps from their online stores — including those developed by companies sanctioned in the West.
For months, Moscow has encouraged widespread adoption of Max while restricting access to rivals such as WhatsApp and Telegram, which remain the country’s most widely used messaging services.
The app, launched in 2025, combines messaging, social media features, payments, digital ID services, and government access tools — drawing comparisons to China’s WeChat-style ecosystem.
Its removal reflects a broader pattern of Western tech platforms tightening compliance with sanctions and policy restrictions, while Russian developers adapt by cycling apps through rebrands and rapid relaunches to avoid further takedowns.
