TikTok Returned to Apple App Store and Google Play on February 13, 2025

Download TikTok APK to create, share, and discover short live videos for fun.

TikTok Returned to the Apple App Store and Google Play

TikTok has reappeared in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in the U.S. This comes after the app was removed on January 18, following the Supreme Court upholding a law that prohibits businesses from endorsing TikTok while under the control of ByteDance, a China-based technology firm.

The social media platform, popular for its short-form videos, boasts over 170 million American users and was the second most downloaded app in the U.S. last year, with over 52 million downloads. Sensor Tower data indicates that approximately 52% of TikTok's downloads originated from the Apple App Store, with the remaining 48% from Google Play in the U.S. in 2024.

Background of the TikTok Ban

The initial removal stemmed from a law signed by former President Joe Biden in April 2024. This law mandated that ByteDance divest TikTok to a non-Chinese entity by January 19, or face a ban in the U.S. The government's concern was ByteDance's ownership and alleged connections to the People's Republic of China, posing a national security threat. Concerns centered around the potential for the app to be used to spy on Americans or manipulate the content they see.

TikTok and ByteDance challenged the law, but the Supreme Court upheld it, citing risks to national security due to the app's data collection practices. The legislation, enacted last year, imposed significant financial penalties on app store providers and internet hosting services that distributed or hosted TikTok.

Brief Shutdown and Reinstatement

TikTok briefly shut down service in the U.S. before restoring it, following an executive order from President Donald Trump delaying the ban. Trump's executive order delayed the ban for 75 days, until April 5. He also expressed interest in a U.S. acquisition of a 50% stake in TikTok.

Apple and Google received correspondence from Attorney General Pam Bondi, indicating that the Trump administration would not pursue legal action against them for their support of TikTok. This assurance prompted Apple and Google to reinstate the app.

For users who had already downloaded TikTok, the app remained functional, although updates were unavailable while it was inaccessible in the app stores. TikTok also began offering its Android application for download outside of the Google Play Store.

Concerns and Warnings

Despite its return, concerns remain regarding TikTok's compliance with data security regulations. Senator Tom Cotton cautioned about the repercussions of noncompliance, stating that companies distributing services and facilitating TikTok face hundreds of billions of dollars in potential liability.

Legal experts point out that a presidential order cannot supersede congressional legislation, meaning that engaging with TikTok may still theoretically result in severe fines, which could be enforced for up to five years after the violation.

President Trump has indicated that negotiations are in progress and expressed a desire for the U.S. to acquire a 50% stake in TikTok. Oracle, Microsoft, and other American investors are reportedly formulating a proposal to acquire TikTok's U.S. operations.

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