Not all VPN apps have been removed
The iPhone has VPN built in as well. Note that it is only some VPN apps that have been removed. China's law requires VPN operators have a license from the government, they are not all banned. Cook said "a number of VPN apps that apparently follow regulations are still available in the App Store in China", but the Reg didn't bother to mention that in their misleading article.
No idea what requirements there are - presumably that they have to do something that lets China censor content.
I read elsewhere that China is going to block all VPNs in their firewall, and only let the approved ones through. So before long you might be able to install whatever VPN app on your Android, but it won't work unless it has been blessed by the government.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
