The MAX messenger is no longer available on the App Store. Apparently, the recognition of Max as spyware didn’t go unnoticed. And although the already installed app will continue to work normally, new iPhone users won’t be able to download it the usual way. Let’s look at what happened and what installation options remain.
The MAX app has been removed from the App Store. That’s it
What Happened with MAX in the App Store
The messenger’s team officially confirmed the situation. The MAX app is currently unavailable on the App Store, and the company stated that they have sent a request to Apple and are working on resolving the issue.
Apple did not publicly explain the reason for the removal, and the developer has not yet provided details. This is an important point: the specific reason for the disappearance from the App Store is unknown, and any explanations at this point would be mere speculation.
What Will Happen with the Already Installed MAX App
If MAX is already installed on your iPhone, there’s no need to panic. The previously installed app will continue to work normally — calls, messages, and other features will remain available.
No more Max in the App Store
The main risk here is the inability to update or reinstall. While the app is not in the App Store, iPhone owners won’t be able to install or reinstall MAX through the standard method.
If you delete it from your smartphone or switch devices, getting Max back through the App Store won’t be possible until it’s restored to the catalog.
How to Download MAX on iPhone Right Now
For iPhone owners, the options are more limited than for Android users. There are no alternative app stores on iPhone that operate in Russia, so most of the listed installation methods are designed specifically for Android smartphones.
According to the developer, MAX can still be downloaded from the following sources:
- RuStore
- Google Play
- Huawei AppGallery
- Samsung Store
- Xiaomi Store
- Vivo Store
- the official MAX website
Most of these stores are for Android devices. There is currently no universal solution for iPhone, and the messenger’s team promised to separately explain how to continue using MAX on iPhone. Another option is to use Max Web.
Who should worry and who shouldn’t — that depends on how actively you use the messenger. If you actively use MAX and the app is already installed on your iPhone, nothing changes for you in the near term. The issue primarily affects those who were just about to install MAX or are planning to switch iPhones and transfer apps to a new smartphone.
A separate category includes those who use MAX for work or for communication with government services. They should keep a backup communication channel in case the app needs to be reinstalled and it still hasn’t returned to the App Store.
How This Story Resembles Other App Store Removals
An app disappearing from the App Store without public explanation is not a unique case. Apple periodically removes programs from the catalog for various reasons, and doesn’t always comment on it in detail.
The main practical difference between iPhone and Android here is that on iPhone, you can’t install an app bypassing the App Store through conventional means. Therefore, the fate of MAX on iPhone now entirely depends on whether the developer and Apple can agree on returning the app to the store.
It’s important to understand that such situations are often resolved within a few days or weeks — especially if the cause was a technical issue or a requirement to update developer documentation, rather than a violation of Apple’s policies.
Should You Do Anything Right Now
The main thing — don’t delete Max if it’s already installed
If MAX is already installed and you’re using it — keep going calmly, there’s no reason to delete the app unnecessarily, otherwise you won’t be able to get it back through the App Store for now. If you were just looking to try the messenger on iPhone, it makes sense to wait for official explanations from the MAX team about installation methods.
For Android users, the situation is simpler: the app remains available in several stores. But iPhone owners should follow the news — whether MAX returns to the App Store depends entirely on the outcome of the dialogue with Apple.
