TikTok is no longer available on Apple and Google stores after it halted its service in the US.

TikTok is no longer available on Apple and Google stores after it halted its service in the US.
TikTok is no longer available on Apple and Google stores after it halted its service in the US.
  • On Saturday night, Apple and Google complied with a law by removing TikTok from their app stores, forcing ByteDance to divest the social app or face an effective ban in the U.S.
  • The popular short-form video app TikTok is no longer available for download in the U.S. due to the removal of the app by both the Apple App Store and Google Play store. TikTok also shut down the service.
  • The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, resulting in the app's delisting.

ByteDance complied with a law and removed TikTok from app stores in the U.S. on Saturday night, resulting in the app facing an effective ban.

The removal of TikTok from the Apple App Store and Google Play store means that Americans can no longer download the popular short-form video app on their devices. This follows the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to uphold the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which President Biden signed in April. TikTok announced on Friday that its service would go dark, meaning it would stop working for Americans, unless the Biden administration intervened.

The "App Not Available" message is displayed on TikTok's app-install page on Apple's App Store.

The app is not currently available in your country or region, the message stated.

A message on the page that previously hosted TikTok on the Google Play store stated, "We apologize, the requested URL was not found on this server."

On Saturday, some users who accessed TikTok's app and website received a message stating that the platform was temporarily unavailable.

"Unfortunately, a law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S., which means you can't use the app for now. However, we are hopeful that President Trump will work with us to find a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned for updates."

Lemon8, a ByteDance service, displayed a notice informing users that it was not available in the U.S.

Lemon8 is currently unavailable, as stated in the notice.

If ByteDance fails to divest TikTok by Sunday, service providers in the U.S. are required by law to stop supporting the app. This could result in penalties for companies such as Apple, Google, and Oracle, who have previously distributed or provided services to the app, respectively. In June, Oracle stated that the law would negatively impact its business.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew stated that the use of TikTok is a First Amendment right and that over 7 million American businesses utilize it to generate income and attract customers following the Supreme Court's ruling.

Chew assured viewers in a TikTok video that they would do everything possible to make their platform a thriving online hub for creativity, discovery, inspiration, and joy for years to come.

President-elect Donald Trump thanked Chew for his support and asked the Supreme Court to pause the law's implementation, giving his administration the chance to resolve the issues politically. Chew is scheduled to attend Trump's inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Monday, alongside leaders from tech companies such as Meta, Amazon, Apple, and Google.

On Friday, Trump stated that the Supreme Court's decision was anticipated and it is necessary for everyone to respect it.

"Trump announced on Truth Social that he will make a decision on TikTok in the near future, but he needs time to evaluate the situation. TikTok announced on Friday that it will shut down its services on Sunday unless the Biden administration provides a definitive statement assuring non-enforcement."

On Saturday, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, labeled TikTok's announcement that it would go dark as a "stunt."

Jean-Pierre stated that the next administration will be responsible for implementing the law, and TikTok and other companies should address their concerns with them. Trump then announced on Saturday that he would most likely give TikTok a 90-day extension of the Sunday deadline and would make a decision on Monday.

Trump stated in a phone interview that a 90-day extension is likely to be done because it is appropriate. He emphasized that it is a big situation and we must consider it carefully.

On Saturday, Perplexity AI submitted a bid for TikTok, proposing to merge with TikTok's U.S. operations and new capital partners, according to CNBC.

Watch: Congress calls for extension of TikTok ban deadline.

Congress calls for extension of TikTok ban deadline
by Jonathan Vanian

Technology