Aurora OS Users Will Be Able to Communicate and Work in the Russian Messenger MAX
Russia’s national messenger MAX is expanding to Aurora OS, strengthening the country’s push toward secure, sanctions‑resilient mobile ecosystems
Open Access for Every User
In November, MAX reached 55 million registered accounts — and now the messenger is coming to devices powered by Russia’s Aurora OS, the mobile platform built for maximum resilience against sanctions and supply‑chain risks.
Aurora users can download MAX through RuStore and run it on top of a hardened corporate‑grade mobile stack. Aurora was created to support enterprise workflows and ensure information security across business operations.
It holds an official certification from Russia’s Federal Service for Technical and Export Control (FSTEC). Notably, some of Russia’s largest organizations — Russian Railways, Aeroflot, Inter RAO, Rostelecom and Russian Post — are already major users of Aurora OS.
Toward a Fully Independent Digital Ecosystem
Pavel Eiges, CEO of Open Mobile Platform, the developer of Aurora OS, emphasized that bringing a national messenger to a trusted mobile operating system is a key step toward creating a sovereign digital ecosystem resistant to geopolitical pressure. The integration accelerates the expansion of Russia’s digital infrastructure and makes communication channels for enterprises and government agencies more secure.
This transition aligns with national import‑substitution and technological sovereignty strategies. It reduces dependence on foreign mobile platforms and ensures that citizens have consistent access to a domestically supported messaging app — complete with reliable updates and local customer support.
Step‑by‑Step Progress
The arrival of MAX on Aurora OS represents the next stage of growth for both products. Aurora, developed by Russian IT engineers in 2016, has gradually evolved from a niche enterprise solution into a broader platform.
In 2021, the All‑Russian Population Census relied on 360,000 Aurora‑powered tablets. Rostelecom deployed over 1,000 corporate mobile workspaces on the OS, Russian Post equipped more than 15,000 postal workers with Aurora‑based handheld terminals, and Russian Railways commissioned specialized applications for its repair and recovery teams.
MAX itself, launched by VK in 2025, has rapidly crossed 55 million users. Its popularity stems from multifunctionality: high‑quality calls even in low‑signal environments, animated stickers, chat reactions, file transfers up to 4 GB, plus chatbots and mini‑apps offering direct access to partner services.
Integrating MAX into Aurora OS sends a clear message to the domestic market: Aurora is becoming a platform for mainstream consumers. Broader adoption of Aurora devices is expected, particularly in government and enterprise segments, along with deeper integration between the OS, national digital services and state platforms.
Looking ahead, the Aurora + MAX bundle may become a compelling export proposition for CIS and BRICS countries seeking sovereign mobile ecosystems.
