TikTok has officially made its return to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in the U.S. after it was removed due to legal reasons. The app has been restored following a letter from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi assuring Apple that it won't face any penalties for hosting the platform.
TikTok was initially banned in January when Apple and Google followed legislation passed by Former President Joe Biden. This law prohibited apps owned by ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company. Although President Donald Trump issued an executive order on January 20 suspending the enforcement of the ban for 75 days, both tech giants hesitated to reinstate the app, fearing significant financial penalties.
TikTok remains available for users who have previously downloaded it. Some Android users discovered a workaround by installing the application directly from TikTok's website. However, for new users who had deleted the app, downloading it was impossible. iPhone users searching for TikTok in the App Store were previously met with a message stating the app was unavailable in their country.
The ban on TikTok arose from national security concerns raised by Congress in April 2024. Lawmakers were concerned that ByteDance's control over the app could give the Chinese government access to sensitive user data. The legislation required ByteDance to divest its US operations if TikTok was to continue operating in the country. Trump later proposed that American entities, such as X owner Elon Musk or Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, purchase TikTok, with the US government owning 50% of the company.
While TikTok's return marks a significant development, its future position in the United States remains uncertain. ByteDance still has 50 days to complete the sale of its US assets. Depending on the outcome, TikTok's operations, algorithms, and terms of service could undergo significant modifications. For now, users can download and enjoy the app on both iOS and Android smartphones.