While TikTok remains operational, it is officially banned in the United States. President Trump assured there would be no penalties for TikTok and its service providers continuing to operate, but this is merely a promise. He also enacted an executive order that lifted the ban, yet there are significant doubts regarding the legal validity of that order.
For various reasons, both Apple and Google have opted not to take any risks. Should a court find that Trump’s assurances are not legally binding, Apple could potentially face fines reaching up to $850 billion. This risk is simply not worth it for them.
TikTok not available on the App Store in the US
Currently, TikTok cannot be retrieved from the App Store. At first glance, this may seem trivial—you might think you can only access the app if you already have it downloaded. For those who truly value TikTok, it’s likely they had it installed beforehand.
However, the absence of TikTok from the App Store has more serious implications. If you ever need to reinstall the app for any reason, you will be unable to do so.
This means that if you purchase a new iPhone, you won’t be able to install TikTok officially. Similarly, if your current phone sustains significant damage and needs replacement, or if you must restore your iPhone due to a software issue, you’ll face the same restrictions.
In a support document released by Apple on January 19th, the date the TikTok ban became law, the company made this point clear:
Apps already installed on your device will remain. However, they cannot be redownloaded if deleted, nor can they be restored on a new device. In-app purchases and new subscriptions are also no longer available.
If TikTok is important to you, take extra care of your current iPhone. If your device is aging and in poor condition, consider delaying your upgrade. Afterward, reinstalling the app will not be straightforward, and you will likely need to rely on the website.
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