TikTok abruptly went offline across the United States late Saturday night, less than two hours before a ban on the app was set to take effect.
The shutdown prevents access to the platform, which has been used by an estimated 170 million Americans, marking a significant moment for one of the world’s most popular social media apps.
Upon opening the app, users were greeted with a message stating:
“Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
The blackout follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Friday to uphold a ban passed earlier this year. The legislation, which gained bipartisan support in Congress and was signed into law by President Joe Biden in April, prohibits American companies from hosting or serving content for TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests ownership to a U.S.-aligned buyer.
Despite the ban, TikTok signaled that the app’s absence may be short-lived. The company reassured users via the same pop-up message:
“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office on Monday, confirmed he is considering a temporary reprieve. In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump stated:
“I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate. You know, it’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation.”
He added that a final decision would likely be announced Monday.
The sudden blackout is the latest development in a long-running saga surrounding TikTok’s operations in the U.S., leaving the app’s future uncertain. The ban also extends to other apps owned by ByteDance, such as CapCut, which displayed similar messages notifying users of their unavailability. Additionally, TikTok has been removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
National security concerns over TikTok’s ties to China and its access to extensive user data have been at the heart of the controversy. Lawmakers argue the app poses a significant risk, leading to widespread bipartisan support for the ban.
The decision has left millions of U.S. users—including influencers and small businesses who rely on TikTok for income—scrambling to adapt. Many expressed disappointment but remain hopeful for a resolution.
Some companies managing app stores and computer servers have reportedly raised concerns about potential legal liabilities associated with continuing to support TikTok. To comply with the ban, they have pledged to cease carrying the app, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Interestingly, Trump, who initially criticized TikTok years ago, has since adopted a different tone. Earlier this month, he touted his popularity on the platform via his Truth Social account, even asking, “Why would I want to get rid of TikTok?”
TikTok CEO Shou Chew has reportedly met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in the weeks leading up to the ban and is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration.
The situation remains fluid, with users and businesses anxiously awaiting updates on TikTok’s potential return.
