TikTok made its return to the U.S. app stores of Apple and Google on Thursday after President Donald Trump delayed a potential ban on the Chinese-owned social media app. This decision follows a brief period in January when the app was unavailable, ahead of a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to either sell its U.S. operations on national security grounds or face a ban.
TikTok, which is used by nearly half of all Americans, was briefly pulled from the app stores last month following a law that was set to take effect on January 19. This law mandated ByteDance either to divest its U.S. operations or face a full ban due to national security concerns, specifically fears that China could use the app to spy on American users.
However, Trump signed an executive order that temporarily delayed the ban for 75 days, allowing TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. and giving time for further negotiations. Despite the app’s resumed service, Apple and Google kept TikTok removed from their stores until Thursday, reportedly awaiting assurances that they would not face legal consequences for distributing or maintaining the app.
In an update on Thursday, TikTok confirmed that the app was once again available for download in the U.S. According to analysts, Google and Apple were likely holding off on reinstating the app until they received clarification that they would not be fined or prosecuted under Trump’s directive.
With over 52 million downloads in the U.S. in 2024, TikTok remains one of the most popular apps, with a significant share of its downloads coming from both the Apple App Store and Google Play. As the second-most downloaded app in the U.S. last year, TikTok has become an essential platform for content creators and advertisers alike.
The situation surrounding TikTok has led to various potential buyers expressing interest in acquiring the app’s U.S. assets, with some estimates valuing the company at $50 billion. Trump mentioned that he was in discussions with multiple parties regarding a potential sale and expected to make a decision in February about the app’s future in the U.S.
This ongoing saga highlights the tension between national security concerns and the rapidly growing influence of global social media platforms. As the deadline for the potential ban looms, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, but the Trump administration’s latest move offers a temporary reprieve.
