TikTok to Launch New U.S. App by September 2025 Amid Sale Deadline

Here we go again—TikTok is making headlines, and not for a new dance trend. According to The Information, TikTok is building a brand-new version of its app for U.S. users, prepping for a possible sale as political pressure mounts. The new app, reportedly codenamed “M2,” is set to launch in U.S. app stores by September 5, 2025. If you’re one of TikTok’s 170 million American users, you’ll need to switch over or lose access by March 2026.

Why all the fuss? Last year, U.S. lawmakers passed a law demanding ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, sell its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban. The Biden administration (and now President Trump’s team) have kept up the pressure, citing national security and data privacy concerns. The deadline to “fix” TikTok keeps getting pushed—currently, it’s September 17. TikTok’s response: build a separate app and hope a sale goes through.

Rumor has it Oracle is leading the pack of “very wealthy people” interested in snapping up TikTok’s U.S. business. ByteDance would keep a minority stake, just enough to stay in the game but (hopefully) not enough to make lawmakers nervous. But the deal is far from done—China’s government must approve any sale, and they’re not exactly rushing, especially with ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.

For creators and businesses, this is a nail-biter. Over 7 million U.S. businesses use TikTok for marketing, and no one wants to lose followers or momentum. Online, reactions are mixed—some users are frustrated by the constant political drama, while others just want to know if their content and followers will transfer smoothly.

It’s wild to see a social media giant forced into a tech makeover because of global politics. Will the new app win over users and satisfy lawmakers? Or will TikTok’s U.S. future fizzle out in a mess of red tape? September’s launch will be one to watch.