Google and Apple have restored TikTok to their US app stores, following an executive action by President Donald Trump that delayed the enforcement of a ban on the popular social media platform.
Google Play confirmed the app’s return on Thursday, while Apple reinstated TikTok later that evening, according to reports from Bloomberg and CNBC.
TikTok’s reappearance was confirmed by media, which successfully downloaded the app from both app stores on Thursday night. The platform had been removed due to a law signed last April by then-President Joe Biden, requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to a US-based owner or an ally within 270 days to avoid a ban. The Supreme Court upheld the ban the day before the blackout.
TikTok’s Temporary Shutdown and Trump’s Intervention
The platform experienced a shutdown of approximately 14 hours in January but returned quickly after President-elect Donald Trump vowed to prevent the app from being banned in the US.
However, despite the restoration, users faced challenges as TikTok and its related apps, Lemon8 and CapCut, were initially unavailable on Apple and Google Play stores due to ByteDance’s ownership.
Apple previously stated that it had removed TikTok in compliance with the ban, although users who had already downloaded the app were still able to access it. The restoration was prompted by Trump’s executive order, which extended the enforcement period and allowed TikTok to remain accessible while a solution was negotiated.
Tech Companies Avoid Penalties
Before taking office, Trump announced that he would sign an executive order delaying the law’s enforcement to explore national security measures while keeping TikTok operational.
In a Truth Social post on January 19, he stated, “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.”
This order prevented tech companies such as Apple, Google, and cloud provider Oracle from facing penalties for continuing to support TikTok. Under the original law, these firms risked fines of up to $5,000 per user if they continued to host or provide access to TikTok in the US.
Trump officially took office on January 20 and signed the executive order the same day, granting TikTok a 75-day extension to secure a new owner and comply with US national security requirements.
Trump’s Shift in Stance on TikTok
Trump, who previously advocated for banning TikTok due to security concerns, explained his change of heart by stating that he had “got to use it” and recognized its significance for young users. Speaking in the Oval Office, he remarked, “TikTok is largely about kids, young kids.
If China is going to get information about young kids out of it, to be honest, I think we have bigger problems than that.”
He further clarified that the executive action gave him the authority to either approve a sale of TikTok or shut it down entirely, saying, “I have the right to either sell it or close it, and we’ll make that determination.”
What’s Next for TikTok?
Despite its restoration, TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain. The 75-day extension provides time for negotiations regarding a potential sale, but if no agreement is reached, the platform could face another ban.
With over 175 million US users, TikTok continues to be at the center of political and security debates, as lawmakers and tech leaders seek a resolution that addresses concerns while preserving access for millions of users.
The Information is Collected from CNN and CBS News.
