Max (App) | Wikipedia

Max (Russisch: Max, [ˈmaks] MAKS) is a Russian messenger and e-commerce app published by VK in 2025. In analogy to the Chinese platform Wechat, a universal mobile application (Super app) is developed on the basis of Max, which, in addition to the functions of the social network, also enables the reception of electronic state data, the identity test using a digital ID, the use of an increased electronic signature and the implementation of payments.^[[1]

A valid Russian or Belarusian mobile phone number is required for registration in the messenger. Registration with a virtual number is not possible.^[[2][[3]

The messenger is operated by the “Communication Platform” LLC, a subsidiary of VK.

The Max app has been introduced with the approval of the Russian government since September 2025, while the Russian communication regulatory authority Roskomnadzor has issued restrictions on the use of other messenger applications.^[[4][[5][[6]

In May 2022, a VK Messenger app was released, which, however, had difficulty winning users. In 2024, the VK company started developing a new original messenger. On March 25, 2025, representatives of VK Vedomosti informed about the development of a beta version of Max and presented the messaging functions, integrated payment systems for VTB Bank and Alfa-Bank as well as business tools for creating mini apps and chatbots. The messenger should be independent of the VK app. A beta version of the mobile app was available for download the next day.^[[7][[8]

On June 4, 2025, the Minister of Digital Development, Maksut Shadaev, stated at a meeting between Wladimir Putin and members of the Russian government that Max should be expanded into an official national messenger Russia, similar to the national messages of other countries (Japan), Kocaotalk (South Korea), Zalo and Wechat (China).^[[9]

On June 24, 2025, the Federal Act “to create a multifunctional information exchange service” was published, which stipulates that Max must be pre -installed on officially released mobile devices in Russia from September 1. On June 25th, Senator Olga Jepifanowa announced that Gosuslugi will be integrated into Max. In June, the Vontakte company announced a bug bounty program with a reward of 5,000,000 ₽ (~ 52,378 euros) for the reporting of security vulnerabilities in the app.^{[[10][[11][[12]}

Since September 2025, the Russian communication supervisory authority Roskomnadzor has restricted the use of WhatsApp and Telegram. At the same time, the Max app is massively advertised.^[[13]

Messenger Max, which is integrated into Russian government services such as Gosuslugi, is criticized for dealing with user data and the choice of technical components. According to reports, the application collects and saves user metadata, including IP addresses, contact lists and activity times. The data protection guideline allows this data to be passed on to third parties, including state authorities. It was also found that the software uses several open source codes from countries that officially classify Russia as “unfriendly” and that part of the data traffic is redirected to foreign servers.^[[14]

Since June 2025, the max functions have included personal chats and group chats, voice messages, calls, video calls, the transmission of files with up to 4 gigabytes, stickers, emojis, tools for creating chatbots and mini apps as well as a AI chat called Gigachat. The messenger has the possibility to transfer money between users to the Fast Payment System (FPS).^[[15]

Max Messenger is written in Node.js, Kotlin, Swift, Objective-C, TypeScript, C ++ and Java.^[[16] It works on the Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS operating systems. In addition to mobile use, the messenger is available as a web application (web.max.ru) and as a desktop client.

After examining the source code, the Messenger Codefragments takes over from the previous VK Messenger Tampam.^[[17]

1. ↑ VK wants to create an analogue of the Chinese WeChat Super Application. It will be possible to communicate in it, ordering food and using public services sounds good, but most likely, we will find censorship and surveillance of users. Accessed on September 6th, 2025 (Russian).
2. ↑ Anton Lopushansky: Chat freely, but where it is supposed to be: the Russian Messenger Max. In: Computerra. June 14, 2025, accessed on September 6th, 2025 (ru-RU).
3. ↑ VK introduced “Russian WeChat”: the application gains access to the microphone, camera and transfers data to the authorities. The main thing about the messenger. Accessed on September 6th, 2025 (Russian).
4. ↑ Max: How Russia wants to provide more online censorship. 1. September 2025, accessed on September 6th, 2025.
5. ↑ Russia targets WhatsApp and pushes new ‘super-app’ as internet blackouts grow. 5. September 2025, accessed on September 6th, 2025 (British English).
6. ↑ Russia: Moscow prescribes installation of the Max Messer Service on new smartphones. In: The mirror. 22. August 2025, ISSN 2195-1349 (spiegel.de [abgerufen am 6. September 2025]).
7. ↑ VK creates an analogue of the Chinese messenger with public services and WeChat payments. March 25, 2025, accessed on September 6th, 2025 (Russian).
8. ↑ Appendix to the state: how the national messenger is created in Russia. Archived by Original am 27. August 2025; accessed on September 6th, 2025 (ru-RU).
9. ↑ Putin instructed the government to transfer public services to a domestic messenger. June 4, 2025, accessed on September 6th, 2025 (Russian).
10. ↑ Putin signed a law on the creation of a national digital service. June 24, 2025, accessed on September 6th, 2025 (Russian).
11. ↑ The MAX application from VK has every chance of becoming a Russian national messenger. It has been working for three months, but there are only bugs inside and there are no people and the surveillance of users outraged even the Z-bloggers. Accessed on September 6th, 2025 (Russian).
12. ↑ VK promised up to 5 million rubles for MAX errors found in the Messenger. July 1, 2025, accessed on September 6th, 2025 (Russian).
13. ↑ Russia targets WhatsApp and pushes new ‘super-app’ as internet blackouts grow. 5. September 2025, accessed on September 6th, 2025 (British English).
14. ↑ Hell Wave: Schais would right now the domestic messenger with the function of surveillance and libraries from unfriendly countries and call it Max … – OFTOP on DTF. June 29, 2025, accessed on September 6th, 2025 (Russian).
15. ↑ All about MAX: the Russian National Messenger will be launched in 2025. Accessed on September 6th, 2025 (Russian).
16. ↑ How to create a bot in the Russian Mesenger Max. June 16, 2025, accessed on September 6th, 2025 (ru-RU).
17. ↑ Shamble: It turned out that the MAX messenger is a slightly modified and cut in terms of functionality, a failed messenger for classmates “Tamita” – Shamble on DTF. June 28, 2025, accessed on September 6th, 2025 (Russian).