Russian citizens told to switch to Android after Apple blocks key Russian apps
Apple removed VK apps from the App Store. Russian officials criticize the move and advise users to switch to Android.
VK Group, the developer of VKontakte and related services, issued a statement complaining that Apple removed VK apps from the App Store without warning or explanation. The company emphasized that VK has never been subject to sanctions, a fact confirmed by numerous legal opinions from international and US counsel, which Apple had long possessed. Nevertheless, Apple unilaterally removed the apps without prior notice.
VK Group stressed that its Android apps remain fully functional—including updates, notifications, and other features—and are available via RuStore, Google Play, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Store, Xiaomi Store, and official product websites.
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the situation, saying that Apple perhaps cannot be trusted as a commercial service provider and that the blocks are part of a pattern of decisions by Apple that are, to put it mildly, bizarre. However, he acknowledged that Russia has little recourse. Instead, he appealed to users: "There is always an immediate solution; switch to Android, switch to our systems, switch to our equivalent service, and continue using the services you love."
