TikTok has been reinstated on Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store in the United States, weeks after it was removed due to national security concerns.
The app was initially banned on January 18 after a federal law required its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations.
However, President Donald Trump delayed the enforcement of the law by 75 days to allow time for a potential sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations. Following this decision, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi assured Apple and Google that they would not face legal consequences for hosting TikTok during the transition period, prompting its return on February 13, 2025.
The app’s reinstatement is a relief to its estimated 170 million American users, though its future remains uncertain. Several major U.S. companies, including Oracle and Walmart, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s operations to comply with government requirements.
Critics of TikTok’s Chinese ownership argue that ByteDance’s ties to Beijing pose a risk to national security, while supporters claim the app’s ban is politically motivated. The U.S. government continues to evaluate the situation as the deadline for ByteDance’s divestment approaches.
For now, TikTok remains available for download, but whether it will continue operating in the U.S. long-term depends on the success of ongoing negotiations. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected in the coming weeks.