On February 13, TikTok reappeared in the U.S. app stores of Apple and Google after President Trump postponed the ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform. Trump assured the tech giants that they would not be penalized for distributing or maintaining the app.
Nearly half of all Americans briefly used the popular short video app last month until a law passed on January 19 required its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell it for national security reasons or face a ban. Trump then signed a directive to postpone the ban for 75 days, allowing TikTok to operate temporarily in the U.S.
Although TikTok resumed service following Trump's reassurances, Google and Apple had initially kept the app removed from their U.S. app stores. TikTok, the second-most downloaded app in the U.S. last year, announced on Thursday that its latest version was now downloadable.
Analysts suggested that the delay in reinstating TikTok on app stores could have been due to Google and Apple seeking guarantees that they would not be prosecuted for hosting or distributing the app. Trump's directive ensured that these companies would not be penalized for continuing to provide access to TikTok.
Sensor Tower reported that TikTok amassed over 52 million downloads in 2024, with 52% from the Apple App Store and 48% from Google Play in the U.S. The order to divest TikTok's U.S. operations or face a ban was signed by then-President Joe Biden last April due to national security concerns regarding potential Chinese espionage through the app.
Notably, there has never been a ban on a major social media platform in the U.S., and the law enacted last year grants the government broad authority to prohibit or require the sale of other Chinese-owned applications.
Trump indicated that his 75-day deadline for TikTok could be extended. The uncertainty surrounding TikTok has attracted interest from various potential buyers, such as former Los Angeles Dodgers owner , who see the dynamic business as potentially valued at $50 billion.
Trump confirmed ongoing discussions with multiple parties regarding TikTok's purchase and hinted at a decision on the app's fate in February.