Key Takeaways
- TikTok will officially be banned on Sunday, January 19th, 2025.
- The app is expected to blackout and not return.
- It's important for creators to download all their data for future use.
Is TikTok Really Getting Banned?
Yes, on January 19th, 2025, TikTok will officially be banned in the United States. For a while, everything was uncertain and filled with speculation. There was a sense of optimism among some that TikTok might be sold to an American-owned company, which would allow it to continue operating in the United States without any legal hindrances. Others held hope that the Supreme Court might intervene and lift the ban, deeming it unconstitutional and thus allowing the app to remain accessible to its millions of users. However, as of this moment, the situation has taken a definitive turn, and TikTok is indeed facing a ban in the United States, marking a significant shift in the app's availability and usage within the country.
ByteDance, the parent company that owns TikTok, has repeatedly stated its firm stance against selling the app, emphasizing that it has no intention of relinquishing control. This position has been reiterated numerous times, despite the mounting pressure and the fact that selling to an American company was presented as the only viable option by the Supreme Court to avoid the ban. With no sale in sight and the legal avenues exhausted, it appears that TikTok will indeed go dark on Sunday, January 19th. This impending blackout will affect over 170 million monthly users, leaving them without access to the 2016 platform and creating a void in the digital landscape where TikTok once thrived.
Some users have a sense of security understanding that President Trump will take office the day following TikTok's ban, and could possibly fight for TikTok to return to the digital landscape. However, it is likely that if TikTok does make a comeback, it will be in the form of an American version of the app, similar to what China did with Douyin, its domestic counterpart. This adaptation would mean that the app would operate under a different set of rules and regulations, tailored specifically to the United States, and would likely involve significant changes to its content and features.
This localized version would limit the United States from seeing TikTok's from outside the country, and vice versa, effectively creating a digital barrier that restricts the global exchange of content that TikTok is known for. Nonetheless, even if TikTok does return in this modified form, it will not be the same as before, as the essence of the app, which thrives on its global community and diverse content, would be fundamentally altered. The changes could impact user experience, content creation, and the overall dynamic of the platform, leaving many to wonder if it can ever truly recapture the magic that made it a cultural phenomenon.
What to Do Before January 19th
Before TikTok possibly deletes all your content and data, you should work to save it, especially if you're a creator. That content can be used and recycled on new or different platforms following the ban.
Here are the steps we recommend taking.
Save Your Data
TikTok has announced plans to make the app go 'blackout,' which means you won't be able to access any content or information from your account. The platform will turn into a black screen. Therefore, it's crucial to download any data you might need in the future.
To request your data:
On TikTok, navigate to your profile page and tap the three-line menu icon at the top right corner.
1. Access your Profile page (tap Profile at the bottom)
2. Tap the Menu button, represented by three vertically stacked lines
3. Select Settings and privacy
4. Choose Account Select Download your data
5. Choose the data you wish to download (either all information or specific data) and the file format (TXT is easiest for this)
6. Tap Request data
You will receive a notification in the app once your file is ready.
To download your TikTok data:
1. Access your Profile page (tap Profile at the bottom)
2. Tap the Menu button, represented by three vertically stacked lines
3. Select Settings and privacy
4. Choose Account
5. Select Download your data
6. Tap Download data to check if your request is ready, and tap Download if it is.
This will download all information associated with your account into files like this
This will NOT automatically save your videos, so if you're a creator, it's important to take the time to download them.
Save your Videos
In the files just downloaded, there will be a folder titled 'Posts', and this is what the inside of it will look like.
Opening Post.txt will reveal a collection of texts, and upon closer inspection, you'll find direct links to each video you've created.
By copying and pasting these links into your preferred browser, you can view your video and then click to download it. Please note that these videos cannot include copyrighted music, so some videos may be silent.
Navigating these links one by one can be time-consuming, so if you're a creator with numerous videos and need them quickly, we suggest using alternative websites that can download your videos more efficiently—this must be done while TikTok is still operational.
Follow Creators on Other Platforms
As the countdown to TikTok's potential ban looms closer, it's a great time to scroll through your For You Page. This is an opportunity to savor the content from your favorite creators while you still can. During this period, make sure to pay special attention to the creators you love, as many of them have already anticipated this change and have established their presence on other social media platforms. By doing so, they ensure that their audience can continue to enjoy their content even if TikTok becomes inaccessible.
Most creators have linked their other social media accounts in their TikTok bios. They provide direct links or use services like Linktree, which holds all their social media profiles in one place. This thoughtful approach makes it incredibly easy for fans to stay connected and continue following their favorite creators' journeys across different platforms.
So, take advantage of this time to explore these links and ensure you remain part of their community, no matter where they choose to share their content next.
The Future of Short Form Content
When Vine closed on January 17th, 2017, Musical.ly soon followed, eventually transforming into TikTok. If history is any guide, we might see a new short-form video app appear soon. Some predict that an app currently in beta, Neptune, could be its successor.
You can check it out here and even reserve your username before the app launches!
In protest, users are downloading RedNote, an app very similar to TikTok. RedNote is completely owned by China. It currently sits at number one in the United States app stores.
Until then, we still have social media apps like Instagram that will continue to contain short form content. However, for creators like me who deeply favored TikTok, this is a huge loss.
Bye TikTok! You'll be missed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is TikTok really going to be banned?
Yes, if ByteDance does not sell TikTok by Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 TikTok will be banned. The law says it will be banned in the U.S if not sold to an American company and ByteDance has stated multiple times that they have no plans on selling.
Will TikTok still work after the ban?
No, TikTok will not work after the ban because the app has planned to be blacked out.
How do I save my videos from TikTok without a watermark?
To save your TikTok's without the watermark, you will need to download your data. Within the TikTok app, users should tap the "profile" icon located at the bottom of the screen, then select the "menu" icon at the top. From there, navigate to "settings and privacy," choose "Account," and tap "Download your data."
Will I still be able to use TikTok?
No, you will not be able to use TikTok in the United States if the ban goes through. Users who already have TikTok installed on their phones will still be able to access it, but the app will be removed from Apple and Google's app stores, preventing new downloads. TikTok has also announced plans to 'blackout' the app for U.S. users, causing it to show an endless loading screen.
