TikTok to Launch Separate US App on September 5 Ahead of Ban Deadline

TikTok is gearing up to release a new US-only version of its app on September 5, a move intended to address long-standing national security and data privacy concerns raised by the US government. While the existing version of the app will remain usable until March 2026, American users will ultimately be required to migrate to the updated app.

Congress-Backed Law Pressures ByteDance to Divest

Ownership Transition in Progress

According to The Information, the new rollout comes ahead of a September 17 enforcement deadline, which stems from recent US legislation mandating that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divest its US operations or risk a complete nationwide ban.

Under the proposed arrangement, a consortium of American and allied investors, including Oracle, is expected to assume majority control of TikTok’s operations in the US. However, ByteDance will retain a minority stake, contingent upon receiving approval from the Chinese government, which could still disrupt the process.

Technical Overhaul and User Transition

App Stores to Remove Old Version

Once the new application goes live in the US, the existing TikTok app will be removed from Apple and Google’s app stores within the country. Users opening the older version may be redirected to download the updated app. This process is part of a broader strategy to ensure a secure operational transition and reinforce confidence in the handling of US user data.

“This switchover is designed to enable a clean operational handoff while satisfying national security concerns, particularly around where and how US user data is stored,” the report stated.

Data Storage Moves to Oracle Infrastructure

TikTok has already taken steps to mitigate scrutiny by transferring US user data to Oracle-run servers. However, the new app version will likely introduce further infrastructure changes, ensuring that all user data is hosted independently of ByteDance.

Managing the migration of 170 million American users to new data systems could lead to technical delays and legal challenges, potentially causing temporary disruptions in service.

DOJ Assures Apple, Google Over Liability

To ease tensions during the transition, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly reassured Apple and Google that they will not be held liable for continuing to host TikTok throughout the switchover period.

However, both Washington and Beijing’s approvals remain critical for the TikTok US deal to proceed and the new app version to fully go live.

Conclusion: TikTok’s Future in the US Hinges on Cross-Border Approvals

As the September 17 enforcement deadline approaches, TikTok’s planned relaunch of a US-exclusive app marks a crucial inflection point in the global tech landscape. This move is more than a routine update—it highlights the intensifying intersection of geopolitics, data privacy, and tech regulation.

With mounting pressure from Washington over national security concerns and ongoing scrutiny of Chinese-owned platforms, ByteDance’s efforts to restructure TikTok’s American business are aimed at averting a nationwide ban.

While migrating user data to Oracle-controlled servers and revamping operational ownership may address US concerns, final approvals from both the US and Chinese governments will ultimately determine the app’s fate.

The outcome will not only affect TikTok’s 170 million US users but could also serve as a blueprint for how multinational tech firms adapt to rising digital sovereignty trends. As stakeholders await clarity, TikTok’s case may redefine global standards for foreign-owned digital platforms operating in sensitive markets.