Telegram was abruptly removed from Apple’s App Store on Aug. 4, making the messaging app unavailable for new downloads across 175 regions tracked by app monitoring platform Apple Censorship. Neither Apple nor Telegram had explained the move at the time of publication.
According to the tracking data cited in the report, all 175 storefronts monitored by Apple Censorship were marked as unavailable for download, for a 100.00% removal rate. The list spanned markets including the United States, mainland China, Israel, Macau, Sri Lanka and the Cayman Islands.
The report’s author said a direct check showed Telegram could no longer be found in Taiwan’s App Store. Users who already had the app installed were not affected for now, and the service was still working normally. On Google Play, Telegram remained searchable.
No official explanation from Apple or Telegram
Crypto media outlet Crypto Briefing said the takedown may reflect a “silent conflict” between Apple and Telegram, though there was still no formal statement from either side.
The report also said a temporary App Store indexing problem or a short-lived review issue could not be ruled out.
TON ecosystem faces immediate pressure
For the crypto sector, the most direct impact falls on the TON ecosystem. The report said Telegram has required all Mini Apps with blockchain functionality to be built on The Open Network since early 2025. TON Pay was described as a core product for embedding crypto payments directly into Telegram’s interface.
In May 2026, founder Pavel Durov said Telegram would replace the TON Foundation as the main promoter of the TON network and become its largest validator, while cutting transaction fees by about sixfold. If the interruption to iOS downloads continues, the report said TON’s new-user funnel and Mini App distribution channel could be hit directly.
Five possible explanations listed in the report
With no public response from Apple or Telegram, the original report outlined five possible reasons, none of which had been confirmed by either company:
- Developer account-level action: A simultaneous global disappearance is more consistent with an Apple Developer account suspension or an app-wide takedown than with region-specific regulation.
- A repeat of earlier content moderation disputes: In February 2018, Apple removed Telegram and Telegram X over what it called inappropriate content, then restored them within hours. If the same issue is involved this time, recovery could follow a similar timeline.
- Spillover from a criminal investigation in France: The report said Durov has been under investigation since his August 2024 arrest over whether the platform was used to distribute improper content, facilitate drug trading and provide hacker tools. In July 2026, he was summoned to the Paris judicial court for a fourth round of questioning that lasted about six hours, and the investigation remained open after two years.
- Pressure under the European Union’s Digital Services Act: The European Commission is examining whether Telegram underreported its EU user count. If the total exceeds the 45 million threshold, the platform could be designated a very large online platform and face stricter compliance obligations.
- Friction between crypto payments and Apple’s fee model: The report said TON Pay could be viewed as a route around Apple’s 30% fee, creating structural tension with App Store review rules. At the same time, Telegram Stars and other digital goods still use Apple’s in-app purchase system, which limits that argument.
As of publication, neither Apple nor Telegram had issued a public statement on the removal.