On Saturday Jan. 18, TikTok users in the U.S. found themselves unable to watch videos on the app, just hours before a federal ban was set to take effect. The app was also removed from major app stores, including those run by Apple and Google, and its website displayed a message telling users that TikTok was no longer available.
When users opened the TikTok app, they were met with a pop-up message saying, “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.” The message went on to explain that, as a result, they couldn’t use the app for the time being.
“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office,” the message continued, referencing the President-elect’s promise to “save” the platform. TikTok advised users to “stay tuned” for updates.
The only options available were to close the app or click a link that directed users to the platform’s website. There, they saw the same message and were given the chance to download their data, although TikTok had warned that this process could take days.
Cap Cut and Lemon-8 have also officially been banned in the U.S.
