Telegram has returned to Apple’s App Store after mysteriously disappearing for several hours, allowing iPhone and iPad users to once again access the messaging app. However, the restoration is being rolled out gradually, with some users in certain regions still unable to find or download the app.
The issue surfaced on Monday when Telegram vanished from App Store search results across multiple countries. While existing users who had already installed the app continued using it without interruption, new users were unable to download it. The app remained available on Google’s Play Store for Android devices and Apple’s Mac App Store throughout the disruption.
In a statement to Reuters, Telegram confirmed that the app had been restored, saying it “should soon be available again for all users.” The company, however, did not initially explain why it had disappeared from Apple’s marketplace.
Later, Reuters reported that the temporary removal followed Apple’s identification of content on the platform that violated its App Store guidelines. Telegram said it acted immediately by removing the offending material and banning the user involved, after which Apple reinstated the app. Telegram reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward such content and said it has significantly strengthened its moderation systems in recent years.
Despite the restoration, availability remains inconsistent in some regions, with users reporting that the app still does not appear in App Store searches or that direct listing links display an error.
The brief disappearance triggered widespread speculation on social media, particularly after Telegram’s official X account posted a viral message referencing the Epstein files shortly before the outage. However, there is no evidence linking the social media post to the App Store issue, and Apple has not commented on the speculation.
Apple has not issued a public statement detailing the incident or provided a timeline for when Telegram will be fully restored across all regions. Meanwhile, Android users remained unaffected, as the app continued to be available on the Google Play Store throughout the disruption.