Telegram Disappears From Apple App Store Worldwide; Reason Unknown
Telegram Disappears From Apple App Store Worldwide; Reason Unknown Published By, Last Updated: August 04, 2026, 07:16 IST Telegram has temporarily disappeared from Apple's App
Telegram Disappears From Apple App Store Worldwide; Reason Unknown Published By, Last Updated: August 04, 2026, 07:16 IST Telegram has temporarily disappeared from Apple's App Store worldwide, preventing new iPhone downloads. Apple and Telegram are yet to explain the removal. Telegram has temporarily become unavailable for download on Apple's App Store (Photos: AP) Messaging platform Telegram has temporarily disappeared from Apple’s App Store in multiple countries, preventing new users from downloading the app on iPhones and iPads. The reason behind the apparent global delisting remains unclear, with neither Apple nor Telegram issuing an official statement at the time of writing. Users across several regions reported that Telegram could no longer be found through App Store searches, making fresh installations impossible. However, those who already have Telegram installed on their Apple devices can continue using the app without any disruption, indicating that the issue currently affects only new downloads and not existing users. The sudden disappearance has sparked widespread speculation online, but there was no official confirmation linking the move to any regulatory action, policy violation or security concern.
The development comes at a time when Telegram and its founder, Pavel Durov, have been facing heightened regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries. Telegram Founder Charged With Aiding Terrorism Russian authorities last week charged Durov with facilitating terrorist activity, alleging that Telegram was being used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies to recruit young Russians for sabotage and attacks inside Russia. Moscow’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed that a popular Telegram chatbot known as Daivinchik/Leo was used by Ukrainian operatives posing as young women to recruit individuals into carrying out attacks on transport, energy, communications and financial infrastructure. Russian investigators said 46 Russians aged between 12 and 22 had been arrested over the past year after allegedly being recruited through the platform. ALSO READ | Telegram Ignored Repeated Warnings, Failed To Address Key Concerns, Centre To Tell Delhi HC The FSB also announced that Durov had been placed on an international wanted list, although it did not specify the mechanism through which it intended to pursue the request.
Durov has denied any wrongdoing. According to Reuters, he has repeatedly maintained that Telegram exceeds its obligations to moderate harmful content and cooperate with law enforcement agencies while continuing to protect user privacy and freedom of expression. The Telegram founder, who now holds Emirati and French citizenship after leaving Russia, has also been under legal scrutiny elsewhere. He was arrested in France in 2024 over allegations that Telegram failed to curb criminal activity adequately and did not sufficiently cooperate with investigators. He was later allowed to leave the country while the investigation continued. Telegram has increasingly found itself at the centre of debates over content moderation, national security and online privacy. Just days ago, Australia’s online safety regulator initiated legal proceedings against the company, alleging it failed to remove violent extremist material from its platform. Telegram has rejected those allegations and says it has blocked more than 150,000 terrorism-related communities this year. ALSO READ | ‘Leaks Just Moved To Other Apps’: Telegram CEO Says India’s Ban Stopped Nothing News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com.
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