TikTok Is Back for U.S. Users After Brief Shutdown

After a brief shutdown, TikTok says it's restoring service for U.S. users.

The beloved short-form video platform went dark on Saturday after the Supreme Court unanimously agreed with assertions on Jan. 17 that the app, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, should be sold or barred over alleged national security concerns.

Although President-elect Donald Trump pledged to reinstate TikTok immediately upon taking office on Monday and delay a ban through executive order, the app was restored on Sunday.

“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service," read a statement from TikTok on its official X account. "We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive."

Trump might face legal and practical challenges in his quest to bring back TikTok to its 170 million American users—after he signed an executive order in 2020 to ban the app’s use in the U.S.

Per his Truth Social account, Trump wrote on Sunday morning that he would “extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect” through executive order after his inauguration on Monday.

“I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say [sic] up,” he added.

However, Trump’s options might be limited. According to ABC News correspondent Steven Portnoy, the divestiture law requires that Trump certifies that there is a path to a sale, prove there is “significant progress” toward a sale, and for all involved parties sign “binding legal agreements.”

According to CNBC, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is reportedly engaging with Trump and plans to attend his inauguration. Potential buyers, including Elon Musk and Perplexity AI, have also expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations.

Soulja Boy and YouTuber MrBeast have separately said they've attended "meetings" discussing the app's future.

Prior to TikTok’s restoration, many users flocked to X with their reactions, memes, and grievances about losing their beloved TikTok app.