As TikTok awaits the arrival of the Trump administration, and an expected 90-day reprieve from a ban, users who already had the app downloaded are back on the platform.

The video-sharing app went dark Saturday, then TikTok came back online Sunday after being offline for about 12 hours.

"In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service," the TikTok Policy X account posted on Sunday just after noon ET. "We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over seven million small businesses to thrive. It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States."

Is TikTok back?

For users who already had the app downloaded, access was restored Sunday afternoon.

However, the TikTok app remains unavailable in Apple and Google app stores. So some folks who deleted the app on their smartphones when the ban kicked in Saturday are missing out on its return.

Users took to the app to celebrate its return on Sunday. Among those posting videos were the NBA's Utah Jazz, featuring Lauri Markkanen and his smartphone, and the University of Georgia football program.

Coin of the Trump realm is crypto:Coin of the Trump realm is crypto: Melania Trump mints her own billion-dollar meme coin

Why did the US government want to ban TikTok?

In April 2024, Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed, a ban on TikTok, a popular video-sharing app used by 170 million Americans. The legislation addressed concerns that the app and its Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance posed a serious threat to national security. To stay in business in the U.S., TikTok would need to divest its U.S. operation, the bill required.

After the Supreme Court denied ByteDance's argument that a ban on the app infringes on users' free speech, TikTok said on Friday that it would "be forced to go dark" on Sunday.

When did TikTok shut down?

The company actually shut down the app Saturday night a few hours before the legislation banning the app went into effect.

TikTok users who tried to access the platform on internet browsers and through the mobile app found a pop-up message that restricted their access.

The Biden administration has said it doesn't plan to enforce the ban, and Trump has said he would look for a way to keep TikTok going, including perhaps finding a buyer or someone to operate TikTok's U.S. operations. 

So, is TikTok really banned in the US?

A law effectively banning the TikTok app in the U.S. has gone into effect. App stores have removed the app, but TikTok won't delete it from devices on which it has been installed.

Trump told NBC News on Saturday he expects to "most likely" give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a potential ban once he's taken office on Monday. That would give the Trump administration time to find a solution.

"The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it's appropriate. You know, it's appropriate," Trump said in the phone interview Saturday with NBC News' "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker. We have to look at it carefully. It's a very big situation."

In anticipation of Trump taking office on Monday, TikTok began restoring service on Sunday to current TikTok users.

When users opened the app, they found a note saying, "Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!"

And some users have been able to access TikTok on a web browser.

What's next for TikTok in the US?

As a way to satisfy the ban legislation – with the Chinese-owned app divesting its U.S. operations – on Sunday night Trump proposed having the U.S. own half of the domestic operation.

"I'll approve, but let the United States of America own 50% of TikTok," Trump said at a rally in Washington, D.C., on inauguration eve. "We're going to have a lot of bidders. The United States will do what we call a joint venture."

The Chinese government appears open to a deal. China's foreign ministry told a regular news briefing on Monday that it believed companies should "decide independently" about their operations and deals, Reuters reported.

"TikTok has operated in the U.S. for many years and is deeply loved by American users," ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. "We hope that the U.S. can earnestly listen to the voice of reason and provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for firms operating there."

Contributing: Francesca Chambers, Greta Cross, Jessica Guynn, Savannah Kuchar, Bailey Schulz, and Felecia Wellington Radel of USA TODAY; Reuters.

Follow Mike Snider on Threads, Bluesky and X: mikegsnider &@mikegsnider.bsky.social &@mikesnider.

What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day