According to Wired, Apple is now preventing users in the United States from installing or updating multiple ByteDance-owned apps, even if they have a valid Chinese App Store account.
While TikTok is the most well-known app from ByteDance, the Chinese developer also offers other apps on the App Store such as Hypic, Lark, Capcut, and Lemon8.
Previously, iPhone users in the US could freely access these apps from the App Store. However, Apple has started blocking the installation and updates of any ByteDance-owned apps, even for those with a Chinese App Store account.
Users attempting to download a ByteDance app now receive a message stating, “This app is unavailable in the country or region you’re in,” as reported by Wired.
It is speculated that this action may be related to the transfer of TikTok’s US operations to the TikTok USDS Joint Venture, a move that shifted control of the platform to US-based investors while ByteDance retains a minority stake.
Despite reaching out for comments, Apple, ByteDance, and TikTok USDS Joint Venture declined to provide any statements to Wired.
The Journey to ByteDance’s App Ban
In 2024, Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), commonly referred to as the “TikTok ban” law. This legislation mandated TikTok to be divested into non-adversarial ownership by January 19, 2025, under the risk of complete shutdown.
Following a brief blackout in January 2025, TikTok was reinstated after President-elect Donald Trump intervened. However, Apple and Google hesitated to restore ByteDance-owned apps due to legal uncertainties. These apps eventually returned with assurance from Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Despite the attention on TikTok, PAFACA restricted companies like Apple and Google from distributing any ByteDance apps within US borders. The support document from January 2025 outlined the limitations imposed on these apps, including disabled in-app purchases and limited updates.
US users were cautioned about potential functionality issues and performance concerns with future iOS and iPadOS updates. While ByteDance apps remain accessible in other regions, users in the US face restrictions on new downloads and updates.
