On July 16, the entire VK ecosystem disappeared from Google Play at once: VKontakte itself, Odnoklassniki, the MAX messenger, Zen, and Mail.ru email. The reason is simple — the EU imposed sanctions against the holding company, and Google is obligated to comply. If you only use the official store and don’t want to deal with APK files and RuStore, it makes sense to download the necessary Android apps in advance. An installed app will continue to work even if its listing disappears from the store.

Here’s which apps you need to urgently download from Google Play

Yandex Apps You Should Download on Android

Yandex apps may soon be removed from Google Play. The first warning bell has already sounded — Yandex Pay was removed from foreign versions of the store, and Britain added the holding’s subsidiary banks to sanctions lists. Everything is following a familiar scenario where sanctions are followed by a store cleanup. There’s no doubt that Yandex services are next in line for removal.

This will hit taxi and delivery the hardest: if Yandex Go disappears from the store, millions of people will suddenly lose their usual way to hail a ride. That’s why Yandex apps on Android should be installed first. I also recommend not delaying with maps and the navigator — being on the road without them is really miserable. Here’s what makes sense to download from Google Play right now:

Will Marketplaces Be Removed from Google Play Due to Sanctions?

The sanctions mechanism is approaching marketplaces through banks. Ozon has its own Ozon Bank, Wildberries’ subsidiary financial structures have already been hit by UK restrictions, and Magnit Market belongs to the Magnit-VTB alliance. Sanctions against the financial arm are enough for Google to remove the entire service listing, as happened with VK.

Don’t be lazy — download marketplace apps

Logistics apps also belong here — without CDEK and Russian Post apps, tracking packages will become noticeably less convenient. That’s why it’s better to keep marketplace apps on your phone in advance. If you regularly order products, downloading Ozon on Android and other services is worth doing today while they’re still available:

  • Ozon — marketplace and Ozon Bank in one app.
  • Wildberries — the largest marketplace with fast delivery.
  • Magnit Market — products, Magnit bonuses, and installment plans.
  • CDEK — package tracking and shipping.
  • Russian Post — mail and package tracking, electronic notifications.

Online Cinemas and Music Services — What to Download in Russia

Online cinemas and music services are vulnerable for the same reason — almost every one belongs to a major holding company already under sanctions. Okko and Zvuk are part of the Sber ecosystem, Wink is developed by Rostelecom, Premier and RUTUBE belong to Gazprom-Media, and KION belongs to MTS. Once restrictions hit the parent company, the app could follow the same fate as VK services.

Streaming services get removed just as often as banking apps

Losing access to movies and subscriptions you’ve already paid for is doubly frustrating. That’s why it’s better to update apps for watching movies and series now. If you watch movies on Android, downloading Okko on Android and other services makes sense in advance:

  • Okko — movies, series, and sports from Sber.
  • Zvuk — music, podcasts, and audiobooks in high quality.
  • Wink — movies and TV from Rostelecom.
  • Premier — original series and shows from Gazprom-Media.
  • RUTUBE — videos, shows, and live streams.
  • KION — online cinema and TV from MTS.
  • Ivi — movies, cartoons, and series.

Communication and Messengers: Why You Should Download My MTS, MegaFon

Carrier apps are also in the risk zone. MTS has long been under Western sanctions, and other carriers fall into the same restriction logic by association. Through the carrier app you pay for service, manage your plan, and monitor your balance, so its disappearance from the store is felt quickly.

Carrier apps — a must-download

Messengers logically belong in this same category — Yandex Messenger is tied to Yandex, which means it will share the fate of its other services. Keeping carrier apps in their latest version is useful in case you switch phones.