TikTok is reportedly planning to launch a separate app exclusively for the US market in response to growing pressure from US lawmakers.
The move aims to comply with legislation requiring the platform to either divest its American operations or face a nationwide ban.
According to reports, the new US-specific version of TikTok is expected to roll out on September 5, 2025. Once the app is live, current US users will need to transition to the new platform to maintain access to their accounts and content.
The existing version of the app, currently available across all markets, will be removed from US app stores upon the launch of the new version and will reportedly stop functioning entirely by March 2026.
Although TikTok has not officially confirmed the details, sources suggest the company is preparing in-app notifications to guide users through the transition well ahead of the final shutdown.
The initiative is believed to be linked to US legislation mandating the sale of TikTok’s US operations, citing national security concerns over its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. However, the exact connection between the new app and the legal requirements remains unclear, as the report stops short of offering a detailed explanation.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump recently stated that “a group of very wealthy individuals” is preparing to acquire TikTok’s US assets from ByteDance. While the identities of the buyers have not been disclosed, Trump indicated that an announcement is expected later this month.
The proposed deal is also likely to require approval from Chinese authorities due to ByteDance’s headquarters in China. Whether Beijing will support the transaction remains uncertain, potentially adding another layer of complexity to TikTok’s future in the US.
As the September 5 deadline approaches, all eyes are on TikTok’s next move and whether it will successfully navigate the political and regulatory minefield to remain operational in its second-largest market.