Apple pulls TikTok, other banned ByteDance apps in America
On Saturday in the United States, TikTok went dark. When the app was launched, the service was unavailable. On Sunday, it was again available within the app. Both actions were accompanied with notifications within the TikTok app for American users.
TikTok notification (left, Saturday; right, Sunday)
Apple’s App Store has pulled the TikTok app and other banned ByteDance apps in America, so new users can no longer download the apps. Apple’s App Store guided users to an “About availability of TikTok and ByteDance Ltd. apps in the United States” support note:
TikTok and ByteDance Ltd. apps are no longer available in the United States, and visitors to the United States might have limited access to features.
Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates. Pursuant to the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, apps developed by ByteDance Ltd. and its subsidiaries — including TikTok, CapCut, Lemon8, and others — will no longer be available for download or updates on the App Store for users in the United States starting January 19, 2025.
The following are some of the apps developed by ByteDance Ltd. and its subsidiaries that are affected:
• TikTok
• TikTok Studio
• TikTok Shop Seller Center
• CapCut
• Lemon8
• Hypic
• Lark – Team Collaboration
• Lark – Rooms Display
• Lark Rooms Controller
• Gauth: AI Study Companion
• MARVEL SNAP
If you live in the United States
If you already have these apps installed on your device, they will remain on your device. But they can’t be redownloaded if deleted or restored if you move to a new device. In-app purchases and new subscriptions are no longer possible.
Users in the United States won’t receive updates for these apps, which could potentially impact performance, security, and compatibility with future versions of iOS and iPadOS, and some app functions might become limited or stop working since the app can’t receive updates.
If you’re visiting the United States
ByteDance’s apps remain available for download in all other countries and regions where they are available.
Users visiting from outside the United States with their Apple Account set to a country or region that is not the United States are unable to download, update, or make in-app purchases and new subscriptions inside ByteDance Ltd. apps while within the land or maritime borders of the United States.
After leaving the United States, you’ll have access to all functionality.
MacDailyNews Take: President Trump on Sunday wrote on Truth Social that he “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.”
MacDailyNews Note: Today is Inauguration Day, during which President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance will be inaugurated, and also Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the U.S. As such, the markets are closed. As usual on such trading holidays, we will have limited posting today.
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