TikTok is preparing a fresh version of its app specifically for users in the United States, as talks intensify over a potential sale to a group of American investors. The new app is reportedly set to launch on US app stores by September 5, according to The Information, and could replace the current version entirely by March of next year.
This move follows ongoing pressure from the US government, which has cited national security concerns over TikTok’s Chinese ownership. The Biden administration extended the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to divest its US operations to September 17. While no deal has been finalized yet, President Trump recently stated that the US “pretty much” has a deal in place, and that formal talks with China are expected to begin early this week.
For American TikTok users, the change may be more than cosmetic. The report suggests that users will eventually need to download the new version to continue using the platform, as the original app will be phased out. The transition marks the latest chapter in a long-running saga that’s seen TikTok caught between economic tensions, trade tariffs, and questions over digital sovereignty.
A previous attempt to spin off TikTok’s US business into a new entity controlled by US investors was shelved earlier this year when China pushed back, especially in light of Trump’s earlier tariff threats. Whether China will now approve a sale remains uncertain, but the new US-specific app appears to be TikTok’s effort to stay ahead of political headwinds while keeping its American user base intact.
For now, users can continue using the current app, but those plans could shift depending on how negotiations play out. With TikTok increasingly woven into pop culture and the creator economy, the outcome of this deal could set a precedent for how global tech companies operate across borders going forward.
Sources:
The Information, Reuters
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