TikTok announced on Sunday that it would restore access to U.S. users after blocking the app the previous evening.
The company said it was working with its service providers to bring the platform back online after President-elect Donald Trump gave assurances that these providers would not face penalties for supporting TikTok... Continue reading here ▶
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is restoring service,” the company said on X. “We thank President Trump for clarifying that no penalties will apply, ensuring TikTok remains accessible to over 170 million Americans and supports more than 7 million small businesses.”
The company also highlighted its commitment to free speech, stating, “This is a win for the First Amendment and against censorship. We look forward to working with President Trump on a long-term solution to keep TikTok in the U.S.”
Earlier, Trump posted on Truth Social, urging that TikTok remain available and hinting at plans to use the app for his inauguration on Monday.
He promised to issue an executive order extending the timeline for the ban to allow for negotiations that safeguard national security. His order would also protect service providers from liability during this interim period.
TikTok’s services began to return on Sunday afternoon, starting with limited access through web browsers. By evening, most users were able to access the app, which greeted them with the message: “Welcome back!
Thanks for your patience and support. Thanks to President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! Enjoy creating, sharing, and discovering on TikTok.”
However, the app remained unavailable for download on Apple’s and Google’s app stores.
The law banning TikTok, which was set to take effect Sunday, allows the president to grant a 90-day extension if specific conditions are met. Under this law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, TikTok must be sold by its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to a non-Chinese company to avoid the ban.
Although both Biden and Trump previously supported banning TikTok, they have recently taken different stances. During his campaign, Trump reversed his position, pledging to save TikTok. Meanwhile, after the Supreme Court upheld the ban on Friday, the Biden administration announced it would not enforce it, leaving the decision to Trump.
Despite TikTok’s temporary return, its future in the U.S. remains uncertain. Some Republican leaders have voiced opposition to Trump’s proposed extension. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated, “We intend to enforce the law,” and suggested TikTok would need to fully divest from ByteDance to comply.
Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts also celebrated the ban, emphasizing that no legal basis exists for an extension. They stated that ByteDance must sell TikTok and sever all ties with China to meet the law’s requirements.
Even if Trump issues an extension, the law still mandates that ByteDance sell TikTok to a non-Chinese owner. ByteDance has shown little interest in this, complicating Trump’s floated idea of a joint U.S.-China venture, where the U.S. would own 50%. The law currently caps foreign adversary ownership at 20%, making this proposal legally unclear without changes.
TikTok said it remains committed to finding a solution and working with Trump to secure the app’s future in the U.S. Congress could modify the law, but for now, TikTok’s long-term presence in the country is unresolved.
