Spectacular revival: TikTok returns to App Store and Google Play after ban

After more than 3 weeks of "disappearance", TikTok has suddenly reappeared on Apple and Google app stores, marking a new turning point in the stormy legal battle of this short video application in the US.

TikTok's removal from the App Store and Google Play in late January, following a federal ban over national security concerns, caused quite a stir among users.

TikTok is back in US app stores.

However, TikTok's fate appears to have changed when President Trump returned to the White House. He signed an executive order delaying the ban for 75 days, opening the door for TikTok to continue operating in the US while waiting for a satisfactory solution.

However, Apple and Google were initially cautious, concerned about the legal risks that could arise. Only after receiving assurances from the US Department of Justice did the two tech giants officially bring TikTok back to their app stores.

But TikTok's future in the US remains unclear. The ban could be reinstated after 75 days, and finding a deal to sell TikTok to US investors with Chinese government approval is not easy.

TikTok's return to the App Store and Google Play will undoubtedly delight millions of US users, but it's only a temporary "victory" in the tough legal battle the app faces.

David Pac

Update 18 February 2025