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Apple has removed two strategically important Russian apps from its App Store. The two apps are VKontakte, often described as Russia’s answer to Facebook, and the messaging tool MAX. For Russian users, this removal carries heavy consequences. After all, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Signal — the foreign services that once delivered the same features — are already blocked and unusable inside the country.
Notably, Apple has not explained the removals in any detail. As a result, the move represents a major obstacle to Russia’s drive to replace foreign software with homegrown alternatives. MAX, in particular, is a messenger that the Kremlin has heavily promoted. Now that it has vanished from the store, users must keep hunting for comparable substitutes.
VK Group Says Apple Gave No Prior Warning
VK Group issued a statement about the takedown. According to the company, Apple pulled the VK app from the App Store unilaterally, without any prior notice or warning. Moreover, VK insists it has never faced sanctions and has never appeared on any sanctions list. Both international and U.S. lawyers reportedly agree that VK’s app distribution remains entirely lawful.
Apple clearly holds these legal opinions along with all the relevant information. Even so, the company removed the VK app on its own and without advance notice. Therefore, VK called the decision unreasonable and unacceptable.
Importantly, Russian users who already installed these apps can still use them. However, Apple also disabled push notifications for the apps. Consequently, their functionality and overall experience have dropped sharply. Should a user accidentally delete an app, reinstalling it is currently impossible.
Still No Stated Reason for the Takedowns
Apple removed the MAX messenger earlier this month. Then, on June 25, the company pulled the VK app as well. Alongside each removal, Apple directly disabled push notifications. As a result, users will not see new-message alerts unless they open the apps themselves.
The strangest part is the silence. Indeed, Apple offered no explanation whatsoever. The company gave no advance notice or warning, and it published no statement after the takedown and the notification shutdown.
Kremlin Demands a Reasonable Explanation
The Russian government has also voiced its displeasure with Apple’s conduct. According to Reuters, the Kremlin wants Apple to provide a reasonable explanation for removing the VK app. In Moscow’s view, Apple acts as a commercial service provider, so this kind of unilateral removal makes the company untrustworthy. Consequently, Russia is urging citizens to switch to Android and keep using the equivalent services that Russian developers offer.
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