Washington DC, USA – TikTok application has officially ceased operations in the United States after a federal law banning the app came into force. The short-form video platform was removed from app stores just before the deadline, making it inaccessible to American users.

A message displayed to users attempting to access the app read: “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”

The ban follows legislation requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its US operations or face a nationwide prohibition. With no sale finalised, major app stores, including Apple’s App Store and Google Play, have withdrawn TikTok from the US market. The platform is also unavailable via its official website.

TikTok had warned users of an impending shutdown, issuing a statement that read: “We regret that a US law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable. We are working to restore our service in the US as soon as possible and appreciate your support.”

Trump hints at possible extension

Former US President Donald Trump, set to return to office on Monday, January 20, has indicated he may grant a 90-day extension to ByteDance to complete the sale of TikTok’s US operations. Trump also suggested that discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping could influence his final decision. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday,” he said in a statement to media agencies.

Users seek alternatives

The ban has left millions of US TikTok users searching for alternative platforms, with many migrating to Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Xiaohongshu (also known as RED). The hashtag #TikTokRefugee has gained traction among content creators adjusting to the ban.

As TikTok remains offline in the US, all eyes are on Trump’s upcoming decision and whether a last-minute extension will allow the platform to return.