After more than 25 days of removal, TikTok Returns on Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store in the U.S.
The short-video platform, along with ByteDance-owned apps CapCut and Lemon8, was removed on January 18 due to a national security law.
Apple and Google restored TikTok on Thursday evening, ending its temporary absence from app marketplaces.
Why TikTok Was Removed
TikTok’s removal followed a national security law requiring its parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. assets or face a potential ban.
The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April 2023, marked a significant move in regulating foreign-owned social media platforms, granting the U.S. government broad authority over apps linked to foreign entities.
While the app remained accessible to existing users, those who had uninstalled it were unable to redownload it.
Apple even issued a support document explaining the removal, though it has since been taken down. The situation raised questions about whether Apple and Google could face legal risks for distributing the app under the new law.
Trump’s Deadline and the Delay in TikTok Returns
Former President Donald Trump had previously signed an executive order setting a 75-day deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations. The order also proposed a structure where U.S. companies would collectively own 50% of TikTok through a joint venture.
Although Trump extended the enforcement deadline on January 20, Apple and Google did not immediately restore the app.
Analysts suggest the delay was due to legal concerns, with both companies waiting for official assurances that they would not face penalties for reintroducing TikTok to their marketplaces.
Reports indicate that Trump may consider extending the deadline further, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the app’s long-term status in the U.S.
Attorney General’s Letter
TikTok’s return to app stores appears to have been influenced by a letter from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who assured Apple that it would not face fines for hosting the app. This letter reportedly played a key role in Apple and Google’s decision to reinstate TikTok.
Additionally, Bloomberg reported that Trump assigned Vice President JD Vance to oversee negotiations regarding a potential sale of TikTok’s U.S. assets.
With an estimated valuation of $50 billion, any future acquisition deal could significantly impact the platform’s presence in the U.S.
TikTok’s Popularity and Its Impact on Competitors
Despite the uncertainty, TikTok remains one of the most downloaded apps in the U.S. In 2024 alone, it recorded over 52 million downloads, according to Sensor Tower. Approximately 52% of these downloads came from Apple’s App Store, while 48% were from Google Play.
Rival social media platforms have responded to TikTok’s legal challenges by enhancing their own video offerings. X and Bluesky introduced vertical video feeds, while Meta launched a new video editing app to compete with TikTok’s CapCut.
These developments indicate increased competition in the short-form video space as platforms adjust to the evolving regulatory landscape.
While TikTok is now widely accessible again, its long-term future in the U.S. remains uncertain due to ongoing legal and regulatory discussions.
