TikTok has introduced a direct download option for Android users, allowing them to use the app once again after its ban in the United States earlier this year.
The company announced that these users in the U.S. can now download both TikTok and its streamlined counterpart, TikTok Lite, from its official website.
Newsweek has contacted TikTok via email for more information.
Why It Matters
TikTok is used by over 170 million Americans and is particularly popular among the younger generations. Its ban in the U.S. was caused by concerns that the app could be used for spying and political disruption, but President Donald Trump has since indicated that he is working to restore the American audience’s access.
What To Know
TikTok’s latest move is a response to the app’s removal from the Google Play Store and Apple‘s App Store following a law enacted on January 19, which mandated that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, divest its U.S. operations or face a ban.
Despite an executive order from Trump delaying the enforcement of this law by 75 days, the social media platform has not been reinstated on major app stores.
Now, users can visit TikTok’s official download page and install its Android Package Kit directly onto their devices. While sideloading—the installation of apps from sources outside official app stores—is generally discouraged by manufacturers, TikTok has maintained that its kit is safe.
It said that the kit’s source code continues to be examined by Oracle, which is TikTok’s secure cloud technology provider, and independent security inspectors to maintain the app’s integrity.
This direct download method is currently only available for Android users as Apple’s iOS platform does not permit sideloading, leaving iPhone users to access TikTok solely through web browsers until it is reinstated on the App Store.
What People Are Saying
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Newsweek: “President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to save TikTok, and there’s no better deal maker than Donald Trump.”
Donald Trump said at a press conference in Mar-a-Lago after his election victory in November: “I won youth by 34 points. And there are those who say TikTok has something to do with it.”
“Frankly, there are a lot of people on TikTok that love it,” Trump added. “There are a lot of young kids on TikTok who will go crazy without it. There are a lot of users, a lot of good, and there’s a lot of bad with TikTok.”
What Happens Next
Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns over national security risks due to the app’s Chinese ownership. Trump has indicated plans to consult with advisers to find a resolution that protects national security while preserving the platform for American users.
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