TikTok Returns to App Stores
TikTok is officially back. The app reappeared on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store late Thursday, with all the reviews and downloads it had before it was removed.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman first reported the story . Apple and Google removed TikTok from their app stores back in January because the Protecting Americans from Foreign-Controlled Apps Act threatens any company that distributes, maintains or updates the app with stiff financial penalties.
Despite leading the charge to ban TikTok during his first administration, President Trump signed an executive order last month directing the Justice Department not to enforce the law for 75 days. On Thursday, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent letters to Apple and Google reassuring them that the situation remains active. After this confirmation, TikTok returned.
However, just because you can now download TikTok on your iPhone or Android device again doesn’t mean the ban has been lifted. The law is still in effect and the ban is currently in effect, even if the current Department of Justice does not enforce it. The government will have to come up with a plan for the future. It’s not even clear that Trump has the authority to delay the ban, but here we are. This delay will end in April, at which time we will see once again whether the government will act or continue to delay addressing the problem.
The original purpose of the law was to force ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell its products to the American company. There have been many suitors in this market: Microsoft and Oracle are among the organizations willing to take part in the purchase, and reports have even indicated that China was considering a sale to Elon Musk himself . Trump has signaled that the US could buy TikTok directly through a sovereign wealth fund, which he has tasked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent with developing a plan.
Whatever happens in the future, the fact remains that after four whirlwind weeks, TikTok is officially available for download on US app stores— no need to resort to alternative means .