Newsletters
Starting Sept. 1, the Russian government will require all new smartphones and tablets sold in the country to come pre-installed with the national messaging app MAX.
Officials have emphasized that MAX aims to streamline communication, support online transactions, and facilitate access to public services, positioning the app as a central hub for both personal and professional digital interactions.
MAX is a messaging app developed by the Russian technology company VK, one of the country’s leading tech firms. Designed to be similar to China’s WeChat, MAX combines multiple functions in a single platform. Users can send messages, make video calls, perform online payments, interact through social networking features, and access government services all from within the app.
A key aspect of MAX is its integration with Gosuslugi, Russia’s official e-government platform, which allows citizens to access public services such as submitting documents, paying fines or interacting with government agencies directly from their mobile devices. The app has been promoted as a unified solution for personal, business and governmental communication.
As part of efforts to enhance security and combat fraud, calls via WhatsApp and Telegram have been restricted in Russia. Meanwhile, MAX, which was launched recently, has been rapidly adopted, especially by government institutions and is gaining wider usage across the country.
Since its launch, MAX has been rapidly gaining traction. By July 2025, it had already achieved 18 million downloads, making it one of the fastest-growing apps in Russia. Its adoption has been particularly strong among government institutions, which have integrated the platform into their internal communications systems.
This growth has coincided with restrictions on competing Western apps. Calls via WhatsApp and Telegram have been limited in Russia under the guise of combating security risks and online fraud. These measures have further encouraged both public and private sector users to migrate to MAX.
In addition to the MAX mandate, Russia has imposed other requirements on electronic devices sold within the country. All Apple devices sold in Russia must include RuStore, the nation’s official app store, pre-installed. Furthermore, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, all smart TVs sold in Russia must come with LIME HD TV, which provides free access to Russian state television channels.
These measures reflect Russia’s broader effort to control digital ecosystems and reduce dependency on foreign technology.
2 min read
