TikTok has restored its services in the U.S., granting users access to the platform, following a statement by President-elect Donald Trump, to sign an executive order on Monday to delay the ban on the app.
In a statement on X, TikTok confirmed its efforts to reinstate service in the U.S. The company wrote,
“In agreement with our service providers, 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 for providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.
“It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
According to reports, some users gained partial access to the platform shortly after the announcement. TikTok decision to restore access to U.S users is coming after Trump’s decision to extend the timeline for the ban was shared via his social media platform, Truth Social, where he stated, “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!”. He confirmed his intention to issue an executive order via a broadcast on Monday to grant more time before the ban would take effect.
“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect so that we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order,” Trump wrote.
Recall that the Chinese social media platform, reportedly shut down in the U.S. on 19, 2025, following the enforcement of a contentious ban-or-divest law passed last year. The short-lived ban affected numerous TikTok-related apps and services, including TikTok Studio, TikTok Shop Seller Center, CapCut, Lemon8, Hypic, Lark collaboration software, the AI study companion Gauth, and the game Marvel Snap.
It is worth noting that the Supreme Court previously ruled on Jan. 17 that the law forcing TikTok to cease U.S. operations if it didn’t divest from Chinese ownership was constitutional, following the sell-or-ban legislation being passed by Congress and signed by Joe Biden last year. TikTok has previously denied that information on the app is shared with the Chinese government, calling it “outright censorship of the American people.”
Following the U.S government ban talks on the short-form video platform, AI search engine startup Perplexity AI reportedly submitted a bid to merge with TikTok, as other companies and billionaires were rumored to have expressed interest buying the social media app to navigate around a U.S. ban. This would allow for most of ByteDance’s existing investors to retain their equity stakes and would bring more video to Perplexity, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Meanwhile, despite the reprieve of TikTok, in the U.S., its future remains uncertain in the country. It is understood that Trump who had advocated for a ban during his first term as president, previously suggested a joint venture where the U.S. would hold 50% ownership of TikTok to ensure it remains in “good hands.” However, ByteDance has maintained its stance of not planning to sell the company.
