Is TikTok Back on the App Store? Users Get New Message on Phones

TikTok officially returned to Apple and Google app stores on Thursday after a temporary removal in the U.S.

The reinstatement allows users to download the app again after it was previously removed from U.S. app stores due to national security concerns previously cited by both the Trump and Biden administrations.

Owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, TikTok's availability in the U.S. has been the subject of regulatory scrutiny.

Why It Matters

TikTok's comeback is not just about regaining its position on app platforms—it's a pivotal moment that could further shape internet regulations and U.S.-China tech relations.

The app's overall accessibility in the U.S. was restored following President Donald Trump's executive order, which postponed the enforcement of the ban and provided a 75-day reprieve.

What To Know

As of now, TikTok is available for download again in both the Apple App Store and Google Play. Users are also able to once again update the app if they already had it downloaded. Users who still had the app installed received a pop-up message acknowledging the update.

"TikTok is now available on the App Store and Google Play. Download the latest version of the app to discover and share more of what you love on TikTok," read the message.

This follows news of Attorney General Pam Bondi informing Apple and Google the Trump administration would not prosecute the companies for supporting TikTok, Bloomberg reported.

Initially, TikTok was removed from app stores in January after the Supreme Court upheld a government directive that deemed the platform a national security risk due to its ties with China.

The concern was that the Chinese government could potentially access user data. However, a swift response from the newly reinstated Trump administration delayed the ban, allowing TikTok to operate temporarily as negotiations continue.

The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, with Trump mentioning he'd be open to buyers like Elon Musk and Larry Ellison, the co-founder of software giant Oracle.

Trump told reporters on Thursday regarding the acquisition of TikTok by an American company, "I'm going to make it worthwhile for China to do it... I think it'll be to China's advantage to have the deal be made."

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday: "It's worthless if it doesn't get a permit...With a permit, it's worth, like, a trillion dollars. So what I'm thinking about saying to somebody is buy it, and give half to the United States of America, half, and we'll give you the permit."

Elon Musk said in a recently published video from a German media conference in January: "I have not put in a bid for TikTok... I don't have any plans for what would I do if I had TikTok."

What Happens Next

ByteDance has roughly 50 days to negotiate a potential sale of its U.S. operations to avoid a permanent ban.