TikTok, an app used by a third of US adults, could be banned within days – despite legal battles, political maneuvering, and an incoming administration that seems particularly friendly.
The Supreme Court is considering the legality of a law that would ban TikTok from the 170 million people who use the app in the US. If the court upholds the law, as other courts have done, the ban will go into effect on Sunday, Jan. 19.
Wednesday, Jan. 15, Reuters reported that TikTok will close its operating system to US users on Sunday unless the Court intervenes. Anonymous sources told Reuters that would mean anyone in the US who opens the app will see a pop-up message. which will take them to a website with information about the ban. If the ban is reversed, TikTok sources told Reuters it would be able to restore the service “in a short period of time.”
When will the TikTok ban go into effect?
The ban on TikTok will go into effect on Jan. 19 unless the Supreme Court suspends the ban.
Is there a way to stop the TikTok ban before the 19th?
TikTok has tried almost everything – taking it to court several times, lobbying lawmakers, pulling out their eyelashes at Donald Trump – but they have run out of ways to stop the ban on TikTok before the 19th. The app is in its last ditch effort to convince the Supreme Court to lift the ban.
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“President Trump is using his authority not to advise – but he can’t do that on Jan. 19. On Jan. 19, we still have President Biden, and on Jan. 19, as I understand it, we shut down,” TikTok attorney Noel Francisco told jurors during oral arguments on Friday. “Maybe come January 20, 21, 22, we might be in a different world. And, that’s one of the reasons why I think it makes sense to issue the first order here and buy everybody some breathing room.”
If TikTok is banned, can I keep it on my phone?
Yes, you can keep TikTok on your phone after the ban goes into effect, but you won’t be able to update it. App stores like Apple and Google and internet hosting companies will be penalized by the government if they distribute or update the app. And, as Reuters reported, you’ll see a pop-up window when you try to open the app that will direct you to a website with more information about the ban.
What do the creators do?
TikTok creators encourage their fans and followers to follow them on other platforms. However, as Meta is becoming increasingly hostile to protected groups, not all of them are asking their followers to join them on Instagram or Facebook. Instead, some creators use the Chinese app RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu.
What is RedNote? The Chinese app, called Xiaohongshu, has TikTokkers flocking to it
Is there a way to recover TikTok after the 19th?
Yes, but those methods are complicated and will take time.
Where does Trump stand on TikTok?
The president-elect has changed his opinion on TikTok and currently supports the app. In 2024, he announced, “I will save TikTok” on the campaign trail.
How can I download my favorite TikTok videos?
How to download your favorite TikToks before getting banned
Just add a Chrome extension to download your favorite TikTok videos. Videos take up a lot of space, so you may want to use an external hard drive. We have written a complete walkthrough on how to download your favorite TikTok videos if you would like to know what to do step by step.
We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.