After a temporary removal, TikTok has made a comeback to US app stores following President Donald Trump’s decision to delay the enforcement of a ban. The Chinese-owned social media giant, operated by ByteDance, was reinstated on Android and Apple app stores on Thursday after Trump assured major tech companies that TikTok Makes would not face penalties for hosting or maintaining the app.
Why Was TikTok Removed TikTok Makes?
TikTok, which has around 50% of American citizens using its platform, was removed from US app stores last month. The regulation, which came into effect on January 19, required ByteDance to either sell its US operations due to national security concerns or risk being banned.
However, Trump intervened by signing an executive order to delay the ban by 75 days, allowing TikTok to continue operating in the US temporarily.
Google & Apple’s Response TikTok Makes
Despite Trump’s directive, Google and Apple initially hesitated to reinstate TikTok on their app stores, awaiting further legal assurances. Market analysts speculate that the delay was due to concerns about potential legal repercussions for distributing the app.
However, under Trump’s directive, digital marketplaces such as the Google Play Store and Apple App Store were explicitly protected from any fines or penalties for hosting TikTok.
TikTok’s Resurgence in the US Market TikTok Makes
On Thursday, TikTok officially returned to the US app stores, allowing new users to download the app once again. According to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower:
- TikTok had over 52 million downloads in 2024.
- 52% of downloads came from the Apple App Store.
- 48% of downloads were from Google Play Store.
This highlights TikTok’s significant presence in the US market, making it the second-most downloaded app in the country last year.
The Ongoing US-China Tech Tensions
The controversy surrounding TikTok stems from concerns over national security. In April, former US President Joe Biden signed a law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US assets or face an outright ban. US officials fear that China could use the app to spy on American users, prompting the government to take strict action against Chinese-owned apps.
The US has never banned a major social media platform before, but the law passed last year gives the Trump administration broad authority to seek the sale or ban of other Chinese-owned applications.
Trump’s Future Stance on TikTok
Speaking on Thursday, Trump indicated that the 75-day deadline for TikTok’s sale or ban could be extended but expressed confidence that such an extension may not be necessary.
For now, TikTok users in the US can continue using the app without disruption, but its long-term future remains uncertain.
