Last night, TikTok officially ceased operations in the United States, and Apple has also removed the app from its App Store.
For the first time, Apple has responded regarding the TikTok ban, stating that it is “required to adhere to the laws in the regions where it operates.”
Apple Clarifies TikTok Ban
In a statement shared on its website, Apple declared:
Apple is required to adhere to the laws in the regions where it operates. According to the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, applications developed by ByteDance Ltd. and its subsidiaries — such as TikTok, CapCut, Lemon8, among others — will no longer be accessible for download or updates on the App Store for users in the United States from January 19, 2025.
Apple also provided a list of applications developed by ByteDance that have been removed from the App Store:
- TikTok
- TikTok Studio
- TikTok Shop Seller Center
- CapCut
- Lemon8
- Hypic
- Lark – Team Collaboration
- Lark – Rooms Display
- Lark Rooms Controller
- Gauth: AI Study Companion
- MARVEL SNAP
If you reside in the United States and currently have these applications installed, they will remain on your device. However, if you uninstall the apps or switch to a new device, they cannot be reinstalled. Moreover, Apple has confirmed that users in the United States will not receive any updates for these applications, which may “affect performance, security, and compatibility with future versions of iOS and iPadOS.”
Apple further states that these applications “are still available for download in all other countries and regions where they are offered.” For users traveling to the United States, here’s what you need to know:
Users visiting from outside the United States with their Apple Account set to a country or region other than the United States are not able to download, update, or make in-app purchases and new subscriptions within ByteDance Ltd. applications while on U.S. soil.
After departing the United States, full functionality will be restored.
To find out more about the TikTok ban, check our complete coverage.
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