Apple removes key Russian apps from App Store with no prior notice
Apple blocks nearly all VK holding apps (photo: Unsplash)
Apple has removed most key services of the Russian holding VK from the App Store without prior warning, including Odnoklassniki, Zen, and the Mail.ru email service, according to Meduza.
Which services were affected?
Users have confirmed that the following products have disappeared from search results and download lists:
Social networks and content platforms: Odnoklassniki, Zen.
Media and communication services: VK Video, VK Music, VK Messenger, VK Dating, VK Calls.
Email and utilities: Mail.ru Mail, Mail.ru Cloud.
VK representatives stated in a press release that Apple’s actions are discriminatory against millions of users.
They also warned that the apps will continue to function on already installed devices, but users will lose the ability to receive critical push notifications about new events due to Apple’s service restrictions.
Sanctions context
VK claims that its legal structure is not included in sanctions lists, and that all relevant legal assessments from international and U.S. lawyers had previously been provided to Apple. Nevertheless, the U.S. side closed access without any official explanation.
This is not the first such move by Apple:
At the beginning of June 2026, the corporate messenger Max (also owned by VK) similarly disappeared from the App Store.
At the time, Apple described the removal as a measure to comply with international sanctions and the laws of the jurisdictions in which the company operates.
Notably, the situation remains unchanged for Russian users of Android devices. All apps removed from the App Store are still available for download and updates in alternative stores, as well as for direct installation from developers’ official websites.
