TikTok is back on Apple and Google app stores in the U.S. after President Donald Trump postponed the enforcement of a ban on the Chinese-owned platform.
The delay, which extends until April 5, allows TikTok to continue operating while discussions over its future ownership continue.
The app, operated by China’s ByteDance, was removed from app stores on January 18 to comply with a law requiring its sale or ban.
Following the removal, TikTok briefly suspended its services for a day. This caused a surge of users to migrate to RedNote, a Chinese social media platform, referring to themselves as “TikTok refugees.”
The U.S. government has long argued that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses a risk due to its potential access to American user data. TikTok, however, has repeatedly denied accusations that it shares U.S. user information with the Chinese government. It argues that the ban violates the First Amendment rights of its American users.
President Trump’s executive order extended the deadline for the TikTok ban by 75 days, allowing the app to remain available while discussions over its ownership continue. The delay also ensures that Apple and Google will not face penalties for distributing or maintaining TikTok on their platforms.
With over 170 million American users, TikTok remains one of the most popular social media apps in the country. In 2024, it was the second most downloaded app in the U.S., amassing more than 52 million downloads, according to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower. Apple’s App Store accounted for 52% of those downloads, while Google Play made up 48%.
During his first term, Trump supported banning TikTok but later softened his stance, stating that he had a “warm spot” for the app. TikTok CEO Shou Chew was among the attendees at Trump’s inauguration ceremony, further signaling that discussions between the platform and the administration remain ongoing.
Trump has floated the idea of TikTok being jointly owned, with half of its ownership under American control. Among the potential U.S. buyers are real estate mogul Frank McCourt, “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary, and YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast.
As the April 5 deadline approaches, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. While the ban has been delayed, pressure continues to mount on ByteDance to either divest the platform or face the possibility of being permanently barred from the American market.