TikTok has made a comeback on US app stores after President Donald Trump postponed a ban on the Chinese-owned platform, ensuring that Apple and Google would not be penalized for distributing or maintaining it.
The widely popular short-video app, which had briefly gone dark last month before a legal deadline, faced uncertainty due to a law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its US assets or face a ban.
However, Trump’s executive order, signed a day after the ban was set to take effect, extended the enforcement period by 75 days, allowing TikTok to continue operations temporarily.
Following the president’s decision, TikTok resumed services, but Apple and Google hesitated to restore the app in their US stores, likely awaiting formal assurances that they would not be held liable.
Analysts suggest that the delay was due to concerns over legal repercussions.
Nevertheless, TikTok announced on Thursday that its latest app version was now available for download.
“TikTok had more than 52 million downloads in 2024,” according to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, which also reported that 52% of downloads came from Apple’s App Store, while 48% were from Google Play in the US last year.
The ongoing controversy stems from national security concerns, with US lawmakers fearing that China could exploit the app for surveillance.
The law requiring ByteDance to sell its US operations was initially signed by former President Joe Biden in April last year, granting the government the authority to ban or force the sale of Chinese-owned apps.
As a result, TikTok has attracted several potential buyers, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, with analysts estimating the app’s worth at around $50 billion.
Trump confirmed that discussions regarding TikTok’s sale were ongoing and hinted that the 75-day extension could be prolonged further.
While the app’s long-term future remains uncertain, its return to US app stores ensures that millions of users can continue to access and enjoy its services.
Moreover, the delay in enforcement provides a window for potential resolutions while allowing the platform to maintain its operations.
With restrictions on minors and content moderation still a priority, TikTok’s availability reassures users and content creators that their digital space remains active despite the legal challenges.
