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TechRadar
TechRadar
Chiara Castro

Russia's WhatsApp rival to be pre-installed on new smartphones and tablets from September – here's what we know

Shape of Russia filled with Russian flag-colored internet codes on a black hacking background.
  • Max, a Russia-developed messaging app, must be pre-installed on every new device from September 1
  • The domestic RuStore app store is also to be forced onto Apple devices, after already being mandatory on Android
  • Authorities are reportedly considering blocking WhatsApp, today's most popular messaging app in Russia

A Russia-developed messaging app must be pre-installed on every new smartphone and tablet sold in Russia starting from September 1, 2025 – the government confirmed on Thursday, August 21.

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