TikTok’s future on the Apple App Store is uncertain. To return, TikTok must meet a key requirement that impacts its U.S. operations, as confirmed by Apple and federal regulations.
Although TikTok has managed to return to the U.S. after a brief ban, it remains absent from both Google Play and Apple’s App Store. The reason? A significant change in regulations due to an executive order signed by former President Joe Biden. This move has complicated TikTok’s ability to regain a spot on these platforms unless the app meets a very specific condition.
Apple recently clarified this situation in a support document, confirming that apps created by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, cannot be listed on the App Store in the U.S. unless they meet specific legal criteria. According to Apple, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which was introduced as part of broader national security concerns, mandates that apps developed by ByteDance — including TikTok, CapCut, and others — will no longer be available for U.S. users starting January 19, 2025.
This policy comes despite a temporary reprieve granted by former President Donald Trump, which allowed TikTok to continue operations under specific conditions. However, experts have pointed out that this executive order does not override existing federal legislation, leaving the app’s future uncertain.
For TikTok to return to the U.S. app stores, the company must fully sever its ties with ByteDance, its Chinese parent company. To achieve this, TikTok would need to prove that it has transitioned to U.S. ownership. So far, no progress has been made in meeting these conditions, making the path forward unclear.
As it stands, both Apple and Google are cautious about reintroducing TikTok to their stores. Doing so could expose them to potential legal risks and hefty fines. Despite the complexities, many are curious about TikTok’s ownership structure. Currently, 60% of the platform is owned by institutional investors like BlackRock, General Atlantic, and the Carlyle Group, with the remaining 40% divided between the company’s founders and its global employees.
Until TikTok meets the necessary legal conditions, it seems unlikely that the app will return to the App Store or Google Play in the U.S.
