A simple bug that prevents users from accessing TikTok even after the ban is lifted
Many iPhone users are furious after making a simple mistake that left them unable to use TikTok after the ban was lifted on Sunday.
The China-based app went dark for all 170 million US users on Saturday evening, showing a pop-up message saying it was unavailable.
The warning prompted many users to delete the app, believing it meant the end of TikTok in the US, but the ban was lifted after about 12 hours.
However, TikTok is currently not available on the Apple App Store. That means users who deleted the app won’t be able to reinstall it.
Apple’s App Store shows a warning when US users try to search TikTok.
“TikTok and other ByteDance apps are no longer available in the country or region you are in,” it said.
‘If you already have these apps installed on your device, they will remain on your device.
‘But they cannot be downloaded again if they are deleted or restored when you move to a new device. In-app purchases and new subscriptions are no longer possible.’
The message showed to iPhone users who still had TikTok installed on their devices during the temporary ban.
It is unclear when the app will return.
Apple continued to explain that users who have not deleted the app will no longer receive updates for TikTok and other ByteDance apps on the list.
The tech giant said this “could potentially impact performance, security and compatibility with future versions of iOS and iPadOS, and some app features may be limited or stop working due to the app’s inability to receive updates.”
Apple’s measures also apply to users visiting the US, even if their Apple Account is set to another country.
The bug has thrown many iPhones into turmoil, with one user offering money to help them get back into the app.
One user shared on X: ‘I deleted TikTok and now I can’t get it back! I’ll pay someone $5,000 for an iPhone 16 Pro Max with TikTok still installed. DM me.’
While another user joked: ‘A moment of silence for the people who deleted TikTok before it came back.’
The TikTok ban hit the US around 10pm ET and showed users the message: ‘A law has been passed in the US banning the popular video-sharing app. Unfortunately, that means you won’t be able to use TikTok for the time being.
“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Stay tuned!’
‘When the app was opened during this time, a bold message appeared to users saying: ‘Sorry, TikTok is currently unavailable.’
Last year, Congress passed a law banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance sells its shares by Monday.
The Chinese conglomerate, which had nine months to sell the platform’s U.S. operations to an approved buyer, had long said it would not sell.
As US officials highlighted the app’s potential national security risk, TikTok, along with some users and creators, filed a lawsuit in an attempt to block the ban.
Ahead of the app’s demise this weekend, the Supreme Court ruled that the ban “did not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights,” upholding an earlier appellate court ruling.

A post from President Donald Trump on Truth Social demonstrating his changed attitude and loyalty to the app after boosting his campaign to victory in the 2024 election.
On Sunday morning, just before the ban was lifted, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that “on Monday,” after his inauguration, he would “issue an executive order” to extend the period before the ban takes effect so we can make a deal close to protect our national security.’
TikTok shared a post on X shortly after saying, “TikTok is restoring service.
“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will not be penalized for bringing TikTok to more than 170 million Americans and helping more than 7 million small businesses thrive.”
The ban was originally proposed by President Donald Trump in 2020 during his first term in the White House, when there were speculations of a security breach.
Soon after, Texas-based Oracle became the host of TikTok’s U.S. user data.
Former President Joe Biden signed the potential ban in April 2024 and last week the decision was unanimously upheld by the Supreme Court, leading to the blackout Sunday.
While the app may be gone for some iPhone users, advice on a solution is being offered by sympathetic individuals around the world.

X User provides instructions on how to download TikTok in the United States for iPhone users following Sunday’s ban that resulted in the apps being removed from the App Store.
A user on X suggested downloading a VPN that can change the iPhone location to Canada.
“It worked, regards,” an X user replied.
“It’s not working,” said another.
However, if the VPN hack fails, US-based users who may have lost the app can still download their data.
You can do this by visiting TikTok.com in a web browser, clicking “more” in the bottom left corner of the screen, and then navigating to settings.
Once in the settings, users can then navigate to ‘privacy’ and find and select the option to ‘download your data’.
For iPhone users who did not delete the app, an additional message appeared on TikTok after the service was restored.
It read: ‘Welcome back! Thank you for your patience and support.”
However, TikTok is banned in all fifty states on devices issued by state governments.
Other countries that have banned the app include Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.