American TikTok users are unable to use the app - for now.

Those in the US who attempt to access the platform from today are met with an in-app message instead of their usual video feed.

"A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately that means you can't use TikTok for now," the message reads.

"We are fortunate that President [Donald] Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!"

The app also no longer appears on either Apple or Google's app stores in the country.

The TikTok app on a smartphone screen

There is some hope that TikTok could be reinstated following the election of Mr Trump, who has said he would "most likely" hand the platform a 90-day reprieve from the ban.

The US president-elect has previously said he wants to pursue a "political resolution" of the issue and urged the Supreme Court to pause implementation of the ban last month.

However, it seems Mr Trump would still expect the app to eventually be sold to an American operator.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew plans to attend the US presidential inauguration and attend a rally with Mr Trump today, a source told Reuters.

Chinese social media app

Many American TikTok users have migrated instead to the Chineses social media app RedNote, which offers similar content to TikTok.

The app, also known as as Xiaohongshu in China, has since soared to the top of international app stores - including in Ireland.

Many US users have made it clear that they intentionally chose a Chinese app in protest of the ban.

'Forced to go dark'

A law signed by outgoing President Joe Biden last year required ByteDance, TikTok's China-based parent compannt, to divest TikTok on national security grounds or face a ban in one of its biggest markets.

While President Biden said he did not intend to enforce the legislation, ByteDance said the app "will be forced to go dark" today after a Supreme Court ruling unanimously upheld the ban.

Main image: Illustrative image of the tiktok app logo on a smartphone screen with the us flag and donald trump in the background. Image: Saulo Angelo/TheNEWS2 via ZUMA Press Wire. January 17, 2025