TikTok is launching an exclusive app for U.S. users on September 5 in response to pressure from the U.S. government.
The new app, developed under the name “M2,” will replace the existing TikTok app, which will be removed from the U.S. App Store on the same day.
This move comes as the U.S. government has demanded the sale of TikTok’s U.S. business, arguing that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, could control U.S. user data. The deadline for this sale is September 17, and the launch of the new app is a step to maintain services within the U.S. while legal actions are pending.
Approximately 170 million U.S. users will need to use the new app instead of the existing one. While the current app will function until March 2026, its key features will gradually be reduced, necessitating user migration to maintain standard services.
Currently, a consortium led by U.S.-centric investors, including Oracle, is pursuing the acquisition. Upon completion of the negotiations, ByteDance is expected to retain a minority stake of less than 20% in the U.S. business.
Former President Donald Trump recently stated that he is “close to an agreement on the TikTok sale” and plans to “soon resume negotiations with China,” signaling the sale has entered its final stages.
The rationale behind the TikTok sale is rooted in the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Control of Hostile Applications Act,” passed by the U.S. Congress earlier this year. This law empowers the U.S. to order sales of assets or block applications controlled by adversarial states like China. Under this law, the deadline for TikTok’s U.S. asset sale has been extended to September 17.
Last year, TikTok generated approximately $16 billion (about 22 trillion won) in revenue in the U.S. The sale’s realization could mark a significant turning point in the tech dominance struggle between China and the U.S.
However, the deal’s completion hinges on the Chinese government’s final approval. Previous negotiations have faltered due to China’s opposition, leaving political variables still in play. With trade and diplomatic tensions entangled, predicting the final sale outcome remains challenging.
For the moment, U.S. users’ app transition is becoming a reality, and TikTok’s U.S. services are set to be technically separated from the Chinese headquarters. TikTok assures users that they will provide guidance on the app transition to minimize service disruption.