TikTok Ban in the U.S.: Federal Law Forces App Shutdown and Future Uncertainty

As of January 19, 2025, TikTok is no longer available to about 170 million users in the United States. This is because of a federal law that required its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations by this date. The U.S. Supreme Court supported the law, which led to TikTok being removed from platforms like Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Apple also removed other apps created by ByteDance from its App Store, including TikTok Studio, TikTok Shop Seller Center, CapCut, Lemon8, Hypic, Lark (Team Collaboration, Rooms Display, and Rooms Controller), Gauth: AI Study Companion, and MARVEL SNAP. Apple released a support document explaining the changes. It stated that TikTok and other ByteDance apps can no longer be downloaded or updated in the U.S., and visitors to the country might face limited app functionality.

Apps already installed on devices will still work but cannot be downloaded again if they are deleted or if users switch to a new device. In-app purchases and new subscriptions are no longer available, and the lack of updates might cause these apps to perform poorly, lose security features, or stop working with future iOS versions. ByteDance apps remain available in other countries, but users traveling to the U.S. with accounts registered outside the country will be unable to download, update, or make purchases in these apps while inside the U.S. Full functionality will return once they leave the country.

In a statement on January 19, Trump urged companies to keep TikTok running:
“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period before the law takes effect so we can work out a deal to protect our national security. My order will also confirm that there will be no penalties for any company that keeps TikTok operational until then. Americans deserve to see our exciting inauguration on Monday, along with other events and conversations.”

He added:
“I want the United States to have a 50% ownership in a joint venture. This will save TikTok, put it in good hands, and keep it running. Without U.S. approval, TikTok cannot operate here. With our approval, it could be worth hundreds of billions—or even trillions—of dollars. My initial idea is a partnership between the current owners and/or new buyers, where the U.S. gets 50% ownership in a joint venture that we choose.”

Despite Trump’s plan, Republican lawmakers insist that only a full sale of TikTok, meeting the legal requirements, will end the ban. The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain as discussions continue.