TikTok is back online: The widely-used social media platform allowed American users to log back in on Sunday following a brief suspension lasting less than 24 hours.

TikTok reassured its users that it is “working on restoring its services” in the United States in a statement shared on X. By Sunday afternoon, most users had regained access, although some were still facing limitations or disruptions.

“We are prepared to collaborate with President Trump on a lasting solution that enables TikTok to operate in the United States,” TikTok stated. The revival of the app comes after President-elect Donald Trump expressed his intention to sign an executive order on his first day in office to temporarily prevent a ban on the platform.

On Friday, the Supreme Court upheld a law that effectively banned TikTok in the U.S. starting today. This ruling aligned with the government’s national security worries regarding the social media service and its parent company, ByteDance, despite debates regarding free speech.

Keep up to date with the YSL News Network for the latest on the TikTok ban and its implications for users:

TikTok’s Restoration Efforts Underway

Less than 12 hours after the app went offline, TikTok announced that it was being restored in the U.S., according to a statement released on Sunday afternoon.

“In conjunction with our service providers, TikTok is actively working on restoring service,” the TikTok Policy X account shared on Sunday. “We appreciate President Trump for providing vital clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will incur no penalties for making TikTok available to over 170 million Americans, supporting over seven million small businesses. This is a strong endorsement of the First Amendment and a stand against unwarranted censorship. We will collaborate with President Trump on a sustainable solution for TikTok’s operation in the U.S.”

By Sunday afternoon, users were experiencing varying levels of access, with some being able to fully use the platform on web browsers and in the mobile app, while others had limited access to the app or were only able to visit the full website.

Is TikTok Actually Banned in the U.S.?

As of today, a law that effectively prohibits TikTok in the U.S. is now in force. Although app stores have removed the app, it will not be deleted from devices where it has already been installed.

TikTok stated on Sunday afternoon that it was in the process of restoring its services, but the app did not seem to be available in app stores as of yet.

Did TikTok Go Offline Today?

Yes, TikTok ceased operations on Saturday night, just before the law banning the app took effect on Sunday.

A little over 12 hours later, TikTok announced that it was working on restoring service, with some users already able to access the app again.

Can I Still Use TikTok After the Ban?

Users attempting to open the app early Sunday were met with a message directing them to a page with details about the ban, or they were prompted to close the app. However, some users found they could access TikTok through a web browser on Sunday.

Following the ban on Sunday, TikTok users still had the ability to access and download their data.

By Sunday afternoon, TikTok confirmed that it was in the process of restoring app services.

Is It Possible to Bypass the TikTok Ban Using VPN?

VPNs (virtual private networks), which conceal your IP address and internet activity by rerouting online traffic through another location, have not been effective for most users.

“No success with a VPN. Tried accessing from Australia and the UK,” one Reddit user noted. “Even being outside the US, I couldn’t get it to work,” another added.

Other alternatives, such as using the Tor browser to browse the internet anonymously, also proved ineffective.

What Other Apps Have Been Affected?

In addition to TikTok, other apps that ceased operations include Lemon8, CapCut − Video Editor, and Marvel Snap, all of which are linked to TikTok’s parent company ByteDance.

Will TikTok Need to Be Sold to Operate in the U.S.?

The legislation prohibiting TikTok in the U.S. might be altered if the social media platform is sold. The law, upheld by the Supreme Court, requires TikTok to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban.

Potential buyers for the platform include YouTuber MrBeast, Project Liberty led by Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, and Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, among others.

TikTok Ban Linked to Wisconsin Fire Incident

A 19-year-old suspect attributed the cause of a fire at a U.S. congressman’s office in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, early Sunday morning to the TikTok ban.

The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, is currently in custody at Fond du Lac County Jail, with authorities referring an arson charge to the district attorney’s office.

“We’re grateful that no injuries occurred and that the office was unoccupied during the incident,” stated Fond du Lac Police Chief Aaron Goldstein in a press release.

Can Trump Preserve TikTok?

President-elect Donald Trump, who initially advocated for a TikTok ban during his previous presidency, has now expressed a desire to “save” the platform.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump indicated plans to issue an executive order that would delay the implementation of the law and allow TikTok to continue operating. He also mentioned his interest in having the U.S. hold a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture.

President Joe Biden chose not to enforce the TikTok ban and opted to leave this matter to the incoming President Trump.

What About My TikTok Shop Orders?

The future of TikTok Shop is unclear at present. For users who have placed or are awaiting orders, it remains uncertain how the ban will affect those transactions.

Representatives from the social media platform have not yet responded concerning the impact of the ban on TikTok Shop when contacted by YSL News.

House Speaker States They Will Enforce TikTok Ban

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has stated that the U.S. government will execute the law prohibiting TikTok, despite President-elect Donald Trump’s calls to pause the enforcement.

Earlier on Sunday, Trump posted “SAVE TIKTOK!” on Truth Social. In an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Johnson interpreted this as a hint that the president-elect, recognized for his negotiation skills, might push for the sale of TikTok’s operations from its China-based owners.

“It’s not just the platform that worries Congress members. It’s the influence of the Chinese Communist Party,” Johnson said in his NBC interview. “The Chinese Communist Party is not our ally, and we must ensure that control changes hands.”

Shortly afterward, Trump reiterated his intent to issue an executive order delaying the enforcement of the law.
Trump, the head of his party, seems optimistic about finding a resolution. On Friday, he mentioned that he had a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which they addressed various topics, including TikTok.

TikTok Website Appears Online Again

Following the ban that took effect on Saturday night, the TikTok website was reported accessible again on desktop browsers around 11:15 a.m. ET on Sunday, as confirmed by YSL News and other sources. Users could reach the site, accessing their personalized feeds, messages, and profiles. The TikTok website was successfully viewed on Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Apple’s Safari.

Users of TikTok have also turned to other social media sites like X to note that they are still able to access the TikTok website.

TikTok did not promptly reply to YSL News’s inquiry about the website’s accessibility on Sunday morning.

What is RedNote?

As the TikTok ban loomed, another Chinese social app, Xiaohongshu (translated to “little red book”), or RedNote, started gaining attention in the U.S.

Since its launch in 2013, RedNote has rapidly grown to become one of the fastest-expanding social networks in China. Its popularity in the U.S. surged as TikTok users searched for alternatives, and it has reached the top position in Apple’s “Top Free Apps.” RedNote has been likened to both Instagram and Pinterest.

What Apps Are Alternatives to TikTok?

RedNote is not alone in seeing an increase in new users amid the TikTok ban.

Alongside Meta’s Facebook Reels and Instagram Reels, various social media platforms like YouTube Shorts, Fanbase, and Twitch are also gaining popularity as TikTok users seek different video-sharing options.

In Which Locations is TikTok Not Banned?

Although TikTok is accessible in many countries, the U.S. isn’t the sole nation to impose a ban or restrictions on the app.

Here are some countries that have either banned TikTok or put limitations on its usage:

• China: Despite being created by a Chinese parent company, TikTok is not available in China. Instead, ByteDance offers Douyin, a different app for Chinese-speaking users.
• India
• European Union (prohibited on devices used by government personnel)
• Canada (prohibited on government-issued phones)
• Britain (prohibited on government and civil servant devices)
• Australia (prohibited on federal government devices)
• Taiwan
• Pakistan
• New Zealand

When Did TikTok Launch in the U.S.?

TikTok made its debut in the United States in 2018 and quickly became the most downloaded social and entertainment app worldwide.

Who Advocated for the TikTok Ban?

In 2020, then-President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at banning TikTok, prompted by national security concerns that were investigated starting in November 2019. However, a federal judge blocked the order, which was later delayed.

In 2023, TikTok was banned on government devices, followed by Congress passing the TikTok sell-or-ban bill, which President Joe Biden signed into law in 2024.

Is Trump in Talks with the TikTok CEO?

President-elect Trump announced on Friday that he brought up TikTok during a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping just hours before the Supreme Court reinforced the ban.

TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, is expected to attend the inauguration on Monday, where he expressed gratitude to Donald Trump in TikTok’s response to the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday.

Contributors: Maureen Groppe, Mike Snider, Rebecca Morin, Jonathan Limehouse, Mary Walrath-Holdridge, YSL News; Brandon Reid