Telegram and Signal were also removed.

The action indicates growing intolerance from China's central government towards foreign messaging apps not under its control.

Apple was forced to remove the apps WhatsApp and Signal from its China app store at the request of the Chinese authorities due to national security concerns.

The removal affects only these two apps, as other Meta platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, as well as popular apps from Western companies such as YouTube and TikTok, remain available.

The reasons for the security concerns regarding WhatsApp and Signal are unclear.

Apple stated that they are obligated to comply with the laws in the countries where they operate.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, declined to comment on reports that the Chinese government had ordered the removal of their messaging apps, WhatsApp and Messenger, from Chinese app stores.

Apple also did not respond to requests for comment on Signal and Telegram, two other messaging apps reportedly affected by the ban.

The Cyberspace Administration of China did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

None of these apps are popular in China, with Tencent's WeChat being the dominant messaging service.