TikTok Is Finally Back on Apple & Google App Stores After Trump’s Intervention

Key Takeaways

• After being banned on January 18, TikTok has returned to Apple and Google app stores.
• The app's restoration is not permanent - Trump's intervention has delayed the ban by 75 days, giving TikTok time to find a US buyer.
• The ban was due to concerns over TikTok's Chinese ownership potentially compromising US citizens' data for national security reasons, but TikTok denies this.

TikTok has returned to the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store after almost a month thanks to President Donald Trump's pledge to save it.

The app became available on Thursday. It was banned on January 18 in response to the US national security law.

Before you get too excited, know that this restoration is just a temporary fix until a final decision is made. Although Trump has delayed the ban by 75 days, the sword is still sharp and hanging, and we'll have to wait until April to know the ultimate fate of TikTok in the US.

What Went Down in TikTok vs US Government

The reason for banning one of the most popular social media apps was the US government's fear that the Chinese company could be using private data of its citizens to further its national motives.

TikTok responded to this claim by clearly denying any use of the algorithm data for framing narratives or spreading any sort of propaganda. Oh, that video of TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew repeatedly saying he's Singaporean to all China-related questions was awkward to watch, to say the least.

The ByteDance-owned app is used by 170 million Americans-nearly half the population-and is the primary source of income for thousands of creators. It even makes a reasonable contribution to the country's GDP.

On the other hand, the US government's fears aren't completely unfounded. TikTok undoubtedly has a huge database of US citizens' online activity, and its Chinese ownership could pose a threat to the country's security if exploited.

Until the final verdict arrives (due on April 5), app stores are permitted to offer TikTok. Trump's directives have assured that the tech giants won't face any penalties for distributing or maintaining the app.

Trump's Role in Protecting TikTok

Trump's intervention helped save TikTok's future in the US. He signed an executive order that permitted a time relief until April 5 for the app to get a US buyer on board and sell its assets to avoid a total ban.

ByteDance thanked Trump for being supportive and promised to look for a long-term solution that works for both parties. The company is currently navigating through proposals that'll allow retention of at least some part of ownership.

Trump's Changing Stance on TikTok

Perhaps the most interesting bit in all this is that Trump was actually against the app in 2020 and attempted to call a ban on the controversial" app himself. Cut to 2025, and his attempts to save the app show that his opinion has changed.

Why? The answer is simple. Trump's TikTok following has grown considerably in the past few years, and it probably had a sizable role to play in his election victory, especially in influencing the US youth.

The POTUS admitted to having a soft corner for the app for this contribution to his success. As TikTok has been asked to sell the app to a US buyer, Trump hinted at his willingness to let Elon Musk have the app.

The multi-billionaire already owns X (formerly Twitter), which is one of the biggest social media platforms today. Adding TikTok to his kitty would just about make him the most influential man on Earth-not that he doesn't already enjoy a lot of influence.

Check out why Elon Musk's brainchild DOGE is under attack by the opposition.

As of now, however, Musk has no plans to acquire TikTok. Also, in the past, ByteDance offered to merge with Perplexity, but there aren't any concrete updates on that front either.

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