14/02/2025 13:58:52
TikTok has returned to Apple and Google’s app stores in the United States after President Donald Trump delayed its ban until April 5 and assured that tech companies would not be penalised for maintaining or distributing the Chinese-owned app.
The short-video platform, which has around 170 million users in the US, started restoring its services on Apple’s App Store and Google Play on Thursday, weeks after being removed. The app had gone dark following a legal ban, but Trump’s executive order last month extended its availability for 75 days, temporarily allowing ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, to continue operations in the country.
Under the directive, Apple and Google, which operate mobile application stores and digital marketplaces, will not face fines or penalties for keeping TikTok accessible to users.
TikTok remains one of the most popular apps in the US, ranking as the second most downloaded in 2024, with more than 52 million downloads, according to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower. Of those downloads, 52% came from Apple’s App Store, while 48% were from Google Play.
TikTok has not yet commented on its reinstatement.