TikTok became available again on US mobile app stores on Thursday following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by President Donald Trump on his first day in office.
Both Apple’s App Store and Google Play reinstated the widely used video-sharing app, allowing users to download and install it on their devices.
This development coincided with Trump’s statement that he might extend the 75-day postponement of the ban, initially imposed under the Biden administration. However, he also expressed confidence that an extension would be unnecessary.
Trump stated that he believed Chinese President Xi Jinping would ultimately approve TikTok’s sale to a US-based company, seeing it as beneficial for both nations.
12 Hours Offline
On January 19, TikTok was unavailable in the US for 12 hours due to a federal ban enforced under former President Joe Biden. The ban stemmed from concerns about the app’s data collection practices and its potential risks to national security. As a result, distributing TikTok through Apple’s App Store and Google Play became illegal.
Upon taking office on January 20, Trump suspended the ban, providing TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, additional time to secure an approved buyer before the restriction took full effect.
Trump emphasized his commitment to national security while also acknowledging the platform’s significance for its 170 million American users. He also credited TikTok for contributing to his support among young voters during the 2024 presidential race.
Under Trump’s executive order, the attorney general is prohibited from taking action against TikTok for 75 days—until April 5—allowing time for an appropriate resolution.
TikTok expressed gratitude to Trump for offering "clarity" to service providers, ensuring they would not face penalties during this transition period.
According to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, TikTok ranked as the second most downloaded app in the US in 2024, accumulating over 52 million downloads. The report also indicated that 52% of these downloads came from the Apple App Store, while 48% were from Google Play.