Categories: USA

TikTok Readies U.S. App Before ByteDance Deadline

TikTok is preparing to launch a separate version of its app specifically for U.S. users, as the
company accelerates efforts to finalize a sale of its American operations, according to a report by The Information.

The move comes amid growing pressure to resolve before a White House-imposed deadline. The
report, which cites unnamed sources, states that the new app is being developed for release in U.S. app stores by September 5, aligning with the anticipated transfer of ownership to a group of American investors.

The effort follows recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated late last week
that he plans to initiate discussions with China about a potential TikTok deal.

Last month, Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance—the China-based parent company of
TikTok—to divest its U.S. assets until September 17.

According to The Information, once the new app is released, U.S. users will be required to
download it to maintain access to the platform. The current version of TikTok is expected to
remain operational until March next year, although the timeline may be subject to change.

TikTok has not responded to a request for comment from Reuters, and the outlet has not
independently confirmed the details of the report.

Earlier this year, a proposal had been advanced to spin off TikTok’s U.S. business into a new
company, majority-owned and operated by U.S. investors. That plan was shelved after China
indicated it would block the deal, shortly after Trump announced new sweeping tariffs on
Chinese imports.

Trump acknowledged that any agreement involving TikTok would “probably have to get a deal
approved by China.”

Brody Englebrecht

Contributor