TikTok ban countdown: See the latest updates as time runs short

The ban could go into effect on Jan. 19.

TikTok ban: What to know

Credit: Photo by Osmancan Gurdogan/Anadolu via Getty Images

TikTok, an app used by a third of U.S. adults, could be banned in a matter of days — despite legal battles, political maneuvers, and an incoming administration that seems particularly friendly.

The Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of a law that would ban TikTok for the 170 million people who use the app in the U.S. If the court upholds the law, as other courts have done, the ban will go into effect on Sunday, Jan. 19.

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, Reuters reported that TikTok will shut its app for U.S. users on Sunday unless the Court steps in. Anonymous sources told Reuters that it would mean that anyone in the U.S. who opens the app will see a pop-up message that will take them to a website with information about the ban. If the ban gets reversed, TikTok sources told Reuters that it would be able to restore service “in a relatively short time.”

When will the TikTok ban go into effect?The TikTok ban will go into effect on Jan. 19 unless the Supreme Court stops the ban.

Is there any way to stop the TikTok ban before the 19th?TikTok has tried almost everything — taking it to court multiple times, encouraging lawmakers, fluttering their eyelashes at Donald Trump — but they’ve run out of ways to stop the TikTok ban before the 19th. The app is on its last attempt to convince the Supreme Court to stop the ban.

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“President Trump exercises his authority to extend it by not — but he can’t do that on Jan. 19. On Jan. 19, we still have President Biden, and on Jan. 19, as I understand it, we shut down,” TikTok lawyer Noel Francisco told justices during oral arguments on Friday. “It is possible that come January 20th, 21st, 22nd, we might be in a different world. Again, that’s one of the reasons why I think it makes perfect sense to issue a preliminary injunction here and buy everybody a little breathing space.”

If TikTok is banned, can I keep it on my phone?Yes, you can keep TikTok on your phone after the ban goes into effect, but you won’t be able to update it. App stores like Apple and Google and internet hosting companies will be penalized by the government if they distribute or update the app. And, as Reuters reported, you’ll likely see a pop-up window when you attempt to open the app that will direct you to a website with more information about the ban.

What are creators doing?TikTok creators are encouraging their followers and fans to follow them on other platforms. However, as Meta becomes increasingly hostile to protected groups, they aren’t all asking their followers to join them on Instagram or Facebook. Instead, some creators are using the Chinese app RedNote, aka Xiaohongshu.

Is there any way to bring TikTok back after the 19th?Yes, but those avenues are complicated and will take time.

Where does Trump stand on TikTok?The president-elect has changed his opinion on TikTok and is currently supportive of the app. In 2024, he announced, “I’m gonna save TikTok” on the campaign trail.

How can I download my favorite TikTok videos?
Simply add a Chrome extension to download your favorite TikTok videos. Videos take up a lot of space, so you may want to use an external hard drive. We wrote a more thorough breakdown of how to download your favorite TikTok videos if you’d like to know what to do step by step.

We will continue to update this story as more information surfaces.

Christianna Silva is a senior culture reporter covering social platforms and the creator economy, with a focus on the intersection of social media, politics, and the economic systems that govern us. Since joining Mashable in 2021, they have reported extensively on meme creators, content moderation, and the nature of online creation under capitalism.

Before joining Mashable, they worked as an editor at NPR and MTV News, a reporter at Teen Vogue and VICE News, and as a stablehand at a mini-horse farm. You can follow her on Bluesky @christiannaj.bsky.social and Instagram @christianna_j.

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