TikTok is once again listed on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. However, the longterm future of the Chinese app in the US is far from assured.
TikTok Is Available to Download Again
If you’re in the US, you can now download TikTok from one of the App Stores again. There’s no longer any need to sideload TikTok from an alternative app store, or use any other workaround to get hold of the controversial social media app. That’s because, as of today, TikTok is back on the Apple App Store (for iOS users) and Google Play Store (for Android users).
While TikTok users in the US who already had the app installed on their phones have been able to use TikTok freely, anyone who didn’t have access was unable to download the app from an official source.
This has been the case since January 20, 2025, the day after President Biden’s ban on TikTok kicked in. Once President Trump took office, he delayed the ban for 75 days, and access was restored.
However, TikTok remained unavailable to download from the App Store and Play Store. This was due to Apple and Google not wanting to risk breaking the law by enabling distribution of the app.
Now, as first reported by Bloomberg, Apple and Google have both made TikTok available again after receiving letters from US Attorney General Pam Bondi assuring the companies that they will not be penalized.
As you can see above, TikTok itself announced the news on its socials, as well as in a post on the TikTok Newsroom. However, the announcement is very short and to-the-point, likely because the company knows that this is potentially a short-term deal.
TikTok’s Longterm Future Is Unclear
TikTok’s longterm future in the US is currently far from assured. While President Trump clearly wants to continue allowing US citizens to use TikTok, that’s unlikely to happen all the while the security concerns around TikTok persist.
Trump has consistently talked about doing a “deal” whereby the US government has a stake in the app. At one point, there was even talk of Elon Musk acquiring the US arm of TikTok to prevent it from being banned.
Whatever happens over the longterm, in the short-term, anyone in the US with a smartphone can now download and use TikTok just as they could before January 19. And without having to overpay for a phone with TikTok already installed on it.
