Service Returns to TikTok After App Goes Dark in U.S. for All Users
Users who have the app downloaded can scroll once again.
Update: After a country-wide blackout that lasted less than 24 hours, TikTok has already made its return. The app is back to functioning as usual for TikTok users who still have the app downloaded.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” TikTok explained in a post on X. “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive. It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
However, the app is not listed on the App Store and is listed as “unavailable” in the region.
Original Story: As of Saturday night (January 18), TikTok has gone dark for all users in the U.S. Just a few hours ahead of the federal ban set to take full effect (January 19), the app was removed from all prominent App Stores and the app’s 170 million American users lost access to their FYPs.
Slated to go into effect January 19, starting at around 9:30 pm EST, TikTok users were met with the following message when opening the app: “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned.”
Users are then forced to either “Close the app” or “Learn more” – the latter option linking to the app’s website. “In the meantime, you can still log in to download your data,” the statement adds. Users were met with a prior pop-up message for about an hour before the aforementioned pop-up, the first warning of the imminent ban.
In an interview with NBC News on Saturday the 18th, Trump said that he plans to “most likely” give the app a 90-day reprieve from a potential ban.
Stay tuned to Hypebeast as the story progresses.
