TikTok could immediately shut its app to millions in the US in days – here's how to prepare

The TikTok ban could be more drastic than we thought

15 Jan 2025, 18:48 · TechRadar

News By Hamish HectorContributions from Mark Wilson published 15 January 2025

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Daniel Constante) Jump To:

TikTok could shut its app for US users on Sunday, January 19
New report suggests TikTok app will show a pop-up ban message
This would be more drastic and immediate than previously thought

The clock is ticking on TikTok's proposed US ban – and a new report suggests the social media giant is planning to shut the app immediately to its 170 million US users this Sunday, January 19, unless the Supreme Court moves to block the ban.

According to Reuters, TikTok is actually planning to go beyond the actions mandated by law. The ban would only affect new TikTok downloads on iOS and Android, which would mean fans could continue to use existing installs. But it seems TikTok could go further and shut its app completely in the US from Sunday.

How would it do this? According to Reuters' sources, anyone attempting to open the app in the US "will see a pop-up message directing them to a website with information about the ban". Presumably, this will prevent US fans from using the app immediately, which would mean the ban could have a more drastic impact than initially thought.

While the move might sound odd in theory, there is a potential motivation behind it – as Reuters reports, "if the ban gets reversed later, TikTok would be able to restore service for U.S. users in a relatively short time".

So how should you prepare for the imminent TikTok ban? Here's everything you need to know in one handy place.

Is TikTok really getting banned in the US?

Yes. At the time of writing, TikTok will be banned in the US from January 19 – unless the Supreme Court intervenes and declares the ban as unconstitutional.

If that doesn't happen, new users won't be able to install the app in the US, and existing users won't be able to update the app via their phone’s app store. There are also rumors that US users will see a pop-up message in the app from January 19, effectively stopping them from watching videos and directing them to more information on the ban.

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