TikTok began reinstating access to its services in the US on Sunday following an announcement by President-elect Donald Trump. Trump assured supporters that the app would be restored once he assumes office on Monday.
“Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it,” Trump declared during a rally on Sunday ahead of his swearing-in. He emphasised that a joint venture would be pursued to bring back the popular platform, which boasts 170 million users in the US.
Hours earlier, TikTok had reassured its users with a message stating: “As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US.”
The app had been partially restored, with its website accessible to some users, though full functionality remained limited. By Sunday evening, TikTok was still unavailable on Apple and Google app stores in the US.
In a statement, TikTok said it was working with its partners to bring services back online. The company thanked Trump for providing “the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties (for) providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”
The timing of TikTok’s gratitude aligns with heightened tensions in US-China relations. Trump has hinted at imposing tariffs on China but also expressed a desire for direct dialogue with its leaders.
China, meanwhile, criticised the US’s actions as unjustified. The Chinese Embassy in Washington accused the US of using state power to target TikTok, warning that Beijing would “take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
TikTok went offline in the US late Saturday, just before a federal law banning the app officially came into effect on Sunday. US officials argued that ByteDance’s ownership of the app posed risks of data misuse and potential spying.
Trump indicated he would delay implementing the ban to negotiate a deal aimed at protecting national security. “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture,” he wrote on Truth Social.
He also noted that his executive order would shield companies involved in keeping TikTok operational during the transition period from legal consequences.
Trump had previously suggested a 90-day extension to allow TikTok to comply with the law, a move referenced by the app in a notification sent to its users.
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned,” read the app’s message to users.
Trump’s decision to rescue TikTok reflects a significant shift from his earlier position. During his first term, he sought to ban the app, citing concerns over data sharing with the Chinese government. However, in recent months, Trump has credited the platform for helping him connect with younger voters during the 2024 election.
In 2020, Trump ordered ByteDance to divest from TikTok, giving the company 90 days to sell its US operations. A proposed partnership with Oracle and Walmart later emerged but failed to materialise.
Not all Republicans supported the effort to save TikTok.
In a joint statement, Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts said, “Now that the law has taken effect, there is no legal basis for any kind of ‘extension’ of its effective date. For TikTok to come back online in the future, ByteDance must agree to a sale that satisfies the law’s qualified-divestiture requirements by severing all ties between TikTok and Communist China.”
The US has never banned a major social media platform before. The law, passed with bipartisan support, gives the incoming Trump administration authority to target other Chinese-owned apps.
Other ByteDance platforms, including CapCut and Lemon8, also went offline and were removed from US app stores by late Saturday.
Representatives for Apple and Google did not respond to questions about the removals.
‘A Moment of Panic’ Searches for VPNs surged immediately after TikTok went offline, according to Google Trends.
Some users on Instagram expressed worries about pending purchases made on TikTok Shop, the platform’s e-commerce feature.
Businesses reliant on TikTok scrambled to adjust their strategies. One marketing executive described the situation as “a moment of panic,” noting that many had expected a resolution to prevent the app’s shutdown.
Reports suggest that TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew plans to attend Trump’s inauguration and a Sunday rally to discuss the platform’s future.
Several potential buyers have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s US operations. Analysts estimate the business could be worth up to $50 billion. Media outlets have reported talks between ByteDance and Elon Musk, though the company denies any plans for a sale.
Additionally, Perplexity AI, a US-based search engine startup, reportedly submitted a proposal to merge with TikTok’s US operations. The plan involves creating a new entity with other partners.
ByteDance, which is privately held, is 60% owned by institutional investors, with the remainder divided between its founders and employees. The company employs over 7,000 people in the US.
