Americans are reluctant to buy new iPhones because of TikTok

iPhone users in the US are facing a "half-crying, half-laughing" situation because they cannot install TikTok on new devices, even though the application is still active.

New phones in the US cannot install TikTok.

Although the US government's ban on TikTok has been "relaxed" by President Trump with a promise not to penalize TikTok and service providers, Apple and Google still decided to take the safe route by removing the app from their app stores.

This means that iPhone users in the US will not be able to download or reinstall TikTok if they delete the app or buy a new phone. Even if they transfer their data to a new device, TikTok will not be restored.

Apple and Google's decision comes amid concerns about legal risks. If President Trump's promise is not enforced, they could face a huge fine of up to $850 billion.

This situation has left many TikTok users in the US extremely embarrassed. They can still use the app if they have already installed it, but they will not be able to reinstall it on a new device. Because of this incident, many people are taking advantage of the opportunity to sell phones with the TikTok app pre-installed at sky-high prices.

Kareem Winters

Update 10 February 2025