Many iPhone users are fuming after making a simple mistake that’s left them unable to use TikTok after the ban was lifted Sunday.
The Chinese-based app went dark for all 170 million American users Saturday evening, showing a pop-up message that it was unavailable.
The alert led many users to delete the app, believing that was the end of TikTok in the US, but the ban was lifted about 12 hours.
However, TikTok is not currently available in the Apple App Store. That means users who deleted the app are unable to reinstall it.
Apple’s App Store shows an alert when American users attempt to search TikTok.
‘TikTok and other ByteDance apps are no longer available in the country or region you’re in,’ it reads.
‘If you already have these apps installed on your device, they will remain on your device.
‘But they can’t be redownloaded if deleted or restored if you move to a new device. In-app purchases and new subscriptions are no longer possible.’
The message that was displayed to iPhone user’s who still had TikTok installed on their devices during the temporary ban.
It is unclear when the app will return.
Apple continued to explain that users who did not delete the app will no longer receive updates for TikTok and other ByteDance apps on the list.
The tech giant said this ‘could potentially impact performance, security, and compatibility with future versions of iOS and iPadOS, and some app functions might become limited or stop working since the app can’t receive updates.’
Apple’s measures are also in place for users visiting the US, even if they have their Apple Account set to another country.
The mistake has sent many iPhones into an uproar, with one user offering money to help them back into the app.
One user shared on X: ‘I deleted TikTok and now I can’t get it back! I will pay someone $5,000 for an iPhone 16 Pro Max with TikTok still installed. DM me.’
While another user joked: ‘A moment of silence for the people who deleted TikTok before it came back.’
The TikTok ban hit the US around 10pm ET, showing users a message: ‘A law banning the popular video sharing app has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.
‘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!’
‘When the app was opened during this time, a message in bold font appeared to users that read, ‘Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.’
Last year, Congress passed a law banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance sold its stakes by Monday.
The Chinese conglomerate, who had nine months to sell the platform’s US operation to an approved buyer, had long said it would not sell.
While American officials highlighted the app’s potential national security risk, TikTok, along with some users and creators, sued in an effort to block the ban.
Leading up to the app going dark this weekend, the Supreme Court ruled that the ban did ‘not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights,’ upholding a previous appeals court ruling.
A post made by President Donald Trump on Truth Social demonstrating his changed attitudes and allegiance to app after bolstering his campaign to victory in the 2024 election.
On Sunday morning, moments before the ban was lifted, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he would ‘issue an executive order on Monday,’ after his inauguration, ‘to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibition takes effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.’
TikTok shared a post on X shortly after saying: ‘TikTok is in the process of restoring service.
‘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.’
The ban was originally proposed by President Donald Trump in 2020 during his first term in the White House when there were speculations of a security breach.
Shortly after, Texas-based Oracle became the host of TikTok’s US user data.
Former President Joe Biden signed the potential ban into law in April 2024 and last week, the decision was unanimously upheld by the Supreme Court, prompting the blackout Sunday.
Although the app may have disappeared for some iPhone users, advice on a workaround is being offered by sympathetic individuals worldwide.
X User provides instruction on how to download TikTok in the United States for iPhone users following the ban on Sunday that resulted in the apps removal from the App Store.
A user on X suggested downloading a VPN that can change the iPhone location to Canada.
‘It worked bless you,’ an X user replied.
‘It’s not working,’ another said.
However, if the VPN hack fails, at a bare minimum US-based users that may have lost the app can still download their data.
This can be done by visiting TikTok.com on a web browser, clicking ‘more,’ on the bottom-left-hand corner of the screen and then navigating to settings.
Once in settings, users can then navigate to ‘privacy,’ and find and select the option to ‘download your data.’
For iPhone users who did not delete the app, an additional message appeared on TikTok following the restoration of its service.
It read:’ Welcome Back! Thanks for your patience and support.’
TikTok, however, has been banned in all 50 states on devices issued by state governments.
Other countries that have banned the app include Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
