Three days after TikTok briefly went offline in the United States, its fans remain in limbo as the app is still unavailable for download on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. This legal uncertainty, fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order and ongoing negotiations, has left users scrambling for alternatives and debating the app’s future.
TikTok Stuck in Legal Limbo
Despite assurances that TikTok would remain operational, users attempting to redownload the app found it unavailable on Tuesday. Analysts suggest that Apple and Google are awaiting clearer legal protections before bypassing the ban. Notices on both platforms confirmed that TikTok and other ByteDance apps like CapCut and Lemon8 were unavailable due to U.S. legal requirements.
Trump’s executive order has delayed enforcement of a TikTok ban by 75 days, but the uncertainty surrounding the app’s future has left users frustrated. Some have even resorted to selling secondhand devices with TikTok already downloaded, with listings on eBay reaching as high as $50,000.
The Search for a Buyer
At the center of the chaos is the search for a buyer for TikTok’s U.S. operations. Billionaire businessman Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty consortium has offered $20 billion for the app, excluding its algorithm. Prominent investor Kevin O’Leary expressed interest in a potential deal but noted that current laws make such transactions challenging.
Trump has also suggested that the U.S. government could take a 50% ownership stake in TikTok, a proposal that has drawn skepticism. Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry hinted for the first time that it might support a transaction that keeps TikTok running in the U.S.
Mixed Reactions from Users
The ongoing drama has sparked varied reactions among TikTok users. While some have vowed to abandon the platform due to Trump’s involvement, others remain hopeful for its return.
“I do not want to continue being a pawn in this hellscape,” said Nicole Norman, a former TikTok user, who announced her departure on Threads. In contrast, travel content creator Lauren Scott continues to check daily for updates, frustrated by the app’s unavailability despite being abroad in Brazil.
For those still using TikTok, concerns about potential changes to the app’s algorithm under new ownership have begun to circulate. Some users claim the algorithm feels different since the app’s brief return.
The Bigger Picture
TikTok’s uncertain future underscores the larger geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, with national security concerns at the forefront. Legislators on both sides of the aisle support ByteDance selling TikTok, but the path forward remains unclear.
For now, TikTok fans can only wait and hope for a resolution that ensures their favorite platform’s return. Whether that involves a sale, new regulations, or a complete ban remains to be seen.
