VK Apps Remain Downloadable in US Google Play Despite Removal in Russia and Turkey Amid Sanctions

The removal of VK services from Google Play has proven to be less global than initially reported, with applications still accessible to users whose Google accounts are registered in the United States region. Testing revealed a clear geographic pattern: the apps are unavailable in Russian and Turkish storefronts but remain fully visible and installable under the American region. The services disappeared from the store on July 16, prompting VK to confirm that already installed applications will continue functioning without restrictions and directing users to alternative stores such as RuStore. The exact cause of the regional discrepancy remains unclear and may relate to Google Play configuration settings, ongoing sanctions against Russia, distribution policies, or simple catalog synchronization delays. In a related development, VK users have begun receiving notifications urging them to switch to the vk.ru domain, which the company states offers superior speed and reliability and will now serve as the primary address.

AntiMalwareJuly 17, 2026Translated from Russian

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The removal of VK services from Google Play has proven to be less global than initially reported. Readers of the Kode Durova outlet discovered that applications belonging to the holding company can still be downloaded when a Google account is registered in the United States region.

Verification confirmed a distinct geographic distribution: the apps are unavailable in the Russian and Turkish storefronts yet remain fully visible and installable when the account region is set to the United States. The services disappeared from the store on July 16.

In an official statement, VK confirmed that already installed applications will continue to function without any restrictions. Users seeking to obtain the apps are directed to RuStore and other alternative application stores.

The reasons behind the observed regional differences have not been disclosed. It remains unclear whether the variation stems from Google Play configuration settings, sanctions-related restrictions against Russia, internal distribution policies, or a routine delay in catalog synchronization.

Separately, users of the VKontakte social network have started receiving notifications encouraging them to access the platform via the vk.ru domain. VK explains that the RU-zone domain provides faster and more reliable performance and will henceforth serve as the primary address.

Google RuStore Russia Turkey United States

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