TikTok has made its way back to the Apple and Google app stores in the United States after President Donald Trump postponed a ban on the popular social media platform. The app, which has more than 170 million American users, had briefly gone dark last month before Trump signed an executive order delaying enforcement of the ban until April 5.
The decision allowed the Chinese-owned company ByteDance to continue operating TikTok in the U.S. temporarily, giving it additional time to comply with a law requiring it to either divest the app or face an outright ban.
Apple and Google Won’t Face Penalties
The delay came after concerns that Apple and Google could face legal repercussions for hosting TikTok on their platforms. Analysts suggest that the companies waited for official confirmation from the Trump administration before restoring the app. Trump’s executive order ensured that neither tech giant would be fined or prosecuted for distributing or maintaining TikTok.
Read More: TikTok’s Wild Weekend: Banned, Revived, and Still in Limbo …
Although TikTok resumed its services in the U.S. shortly after Trump’s assurances, Apple and Google did not immediately reinstate the app in their stores. The delay lasted nearly a month before TikTok became available for new downloads again on February 8.
The Law Behind the Ban
The law that mandated ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. assets was originally passed under the Biden administration and signed into law in April 2023. It was driven by national security concerns, with lawmakers fearing that the Chinese government could exploit the platform for surveillance or political influence. TikTok and Beijing have repeatedly denied these accusations.
The legislation, which received bipartisan support in Congress, marked a significant move by the U.S. government, giving broad authority to regulate and even ban foreign-owned applications deemed security risks. The law was upheld by the Supreme Court, reinforcing Washington’s stance on the issue.
Trump’s Shift in Stance on TikTok
Despite supporting a ban on TikTok during his first term, Trump has softened his stance in recent months. He has credited the app with playing a role in his successful 2024 presidential campaign, claiming it was instrumental in reaching young voters.
Trump has also floated the idea of a joint ownership structure, where the U.S. government or American investors would hold a 50% stake in the company. He has suggested that such an arrangement could make the platform worth “hundreds of billions, maybe trillions” of dollars. “What I’m thinking of saying to someone is buy it and give half to the U.S., and we’ll give you a permit,” Trump said in a recent news conference.
Potential Buyers for TikTok
Several prominent figures have been linked to possible acquisition efforts for TikTok’s U.S. operations. Real estate billionaire Frank McCourt, “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary, and popular YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) have all expressed interest.
Additionally, Trump has mentioned Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and Tesla CEO Elon Musk as potential buyers. However, it remains unclear whether ByteDance is willing to sell, as Beijing has previously rejected any forced divestment of the app’s U.S. business.
TikTok’s Popularity and Market Impact
Despite ongoing legal and political battles, TikTok remains one of the most popular apps in the U.S. Market intelligence firm Sensor Tower reports that it was the second-most downloaded app in the country last year, accumulating more than 52 million downloads.
Approximately 52% of these downloads came from Apple’s App Store, while the remaining 48% were from Google Play. This highlights TikTok’s massive influence on American social media users and the stakes involved in its potential ban.
Read More: US TikTok ban looms as Trump seeks last-ditch solution
Although the current extension provides TikTok with a temporary reprieve, the app’s long-term future in the U.S. remains uncertain. Trump has hinted that the 75-day delay could be extended further, though he does not believe it will be necessary. With the April 5 deadline approaching, all eyes are on whether ByteDance will comply with the law or find a workaround that satisfies both U.S. regulators and Chinese authorities.