The logo of social media app TikTok appears on the screen of an iPhone in an American … [+]
Legislation to ban TikTok in the United States has gone into effect. What does this mean for TikTok users in the US?
Why is TikTok banned in the US?
After the United States’ “Protecting Americans from Applications Controlled by Foreign Adversaries Act” takes effect on January 19, 2025, applications developed by China-based ByteDance Ltd (and any of its affiliates) may not are made available for download or update in the US.
This includes not only TikTok, but also TikTok Studio, TikTok Store Seller Center, CapCut, Lemon8, Hypic, Lark – Team Collaboration, Lark – Rooms Display, Lark Rooms Controller, Gauth: AI Study Companion and Marvel Snap.
Why can’t I download TikTok?
Major app stores, including those run by Apple and Google for Android, iPhone and iPad, have removed TikTok, so it is not available for download. This also includes any future versions of the app that may address bugs or security issues.
Am I breaking the law by having TikTok on my phone?
The act only applies to those who make TikTok available for download or provide app updates. It doesn’t make it illegal to have TikTok on your phone.
Why can’t I open TikTok?
ByteDance has blocked the service for its US users, even if they have already downloaded TikTok. Opening TikTok will now bring up an alert that says, “Sorry, TikTok is currently unavailable. A law banning TikTok has been passed in the US. Unfortunately, this means you can’t use TikTok right now.”
Why does my friend in another country use TikTok?
The Act to Protect Americans from Applications Controlled by Foreign Adversaries applies only in the United States of America.
Have I lost my TikTok account?
In the short term, ByteDance is unlikely to delete accounts and remove data. If there is a quick fix, it will want to restore TikTok “as is” to the US user base. It is unclear what will happen to the account data if the law remains in effect.
Should I try to get around the TikTok ban?
Many guides and services are promoting their ability to bypass the TikTok ban. Since ByteDance has blocked the service, these solutions are unlikely to be effective for long.
There will also be plenty of scams and scammers looking at TikTok’s shutdown and instructions asking users to change network settings and privacy permissions on their phones as an opportunity to exploit.
It is not recommended that you attempt to bypass the US shutdown.
What can happen next?
The act does not direct ByteDance to stop the TikTok service and prevents the app from being distributed from that point forward. ByteDance has made its own decision to stop the TikTok service in the US. Many believe this is a political move to encourage citizens to engage with their representatives to negotiate a solution.
TikTok’s launch alert suggests that’s the goal. The bottom line reads: “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to restore TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned.”
Can President Trump reverse the ban?
After his inauguration on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump has said he would “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a possible ban upon taking office.
The president can extend the ban for up to 90 days, but only if ByteDance can show it is moving forward with selling TikTok to a US company. The legality of any executive order outside of a delay to accommodate a sale is unclear. Apple and Google will not want to expose themselves to legal liabilities that could be measured in the billions of dollars. They cannot restore TikTok to the app stores until the legal situation is clear.
What if ByteDance doesn’t sell TikTok?
If ByteDance doesn’t sell TikTok, the Act will remain in place unless Congress decides to repeal it.
